Sharia
Member
Hello,
I am Shari, living in Southern California. I googled “how to treat melanomas in horses” and this group popped up. I read a thread from a few years ago about the subject. Everyone was so helpful and supportive, so I joined.
I have a 29year old, now flea-bitten gray, Arabian gelding named Harley. I have raised Harley from an 8weeks old suckling to present.
Several years ago, his vet found two tiny melanomas in his sheath.
I asked the vet, “What do we do?” She said, “Nothing - unless and until they interfere with his ability to urinate.”
I was in the hospital recently and have been recuperating at home, literally not allowed outside my home yet. A nice equine caretaker has been tending to my horses whilst I’ve been incapacitated. (I also have a 24 year old American Paint Horse mare whom I have raised from birth.)
Yesterday, the Equine caretaker sent me photos of my gelding’s sheath with an accompanying message that she “…feels the vet should be called right away, she doesn’t know what to do, and flies are everywhere!”
The caretaker doused the area with fly spray and left, her duties completed.
After reading the stories here from a few years ago, along with other research, it doesn’t seem like there is much that can be done for these poor, unfortunate grey horses.
I am a senior now, like my horses. I live on a fixed income.
It is breaking my heart to think that my good old boy’s time may be coming to an end; we have spent his actual lifetime together. He dutifully and carefully carried three generations: me, my children, and their children.
How will I know it’s time? How can I make such a mammoth decision? How will my sweet old mare feel if, for the first time in her life, Harley is no longer her stablemate? (Harley peeked over the stall wall and watched the birth of my mare. They’ve been best friends since she was weaned.)
Does anyone have any updated information on treatment of melanomas?
Photos attached.
I am Shari, living in Southern California. I googled “how to treat melanomas in horses” and this group popped up. I read a thread from a few years ago about the subject. Everyone was so helpful and supportive, so I joined.
I have a 29year old, now flea-bitten gray, Arabian gelding named Harley. I have raised Harley from an 8weeks old suckling to present.
Several years ago, his vet found two tiny melanomas in his sheath.
I asked the vet, “What do we do?” She said, “Nothing - unless and until they interfere with his ability to urinate.”
I was in the hospital recently and have been recuperating at home, literally not allowed outside my home yet. A nice equine caretaker has been tending to my horses whilst I’ve been incapacitated. (I also have a 24 year old American Paint Horse mare whom I have raised from birth.)
Yesterday, the Equine caretaker sent me photos of my gelding’s sheath with an accompanying message that she “…feels the vet should be called right away, she doesn’t know what to do, and flies are everywhere!”
The caretaker doused the area with fly spray and left, her duties completed.
After reading the stories here from a few years ago, along with other research, it doesn’t seem like there is much that can be done for these poor, unfortunate grey horses.
I am a senior now, like my horses. I live on a fixed income.
It is breaking my heart to think that my good old boy’s time may be coming to an end; we have spent his actual lifetime together. He dutifully and carefully carried three generations: me, my children, and their children.
How will I know it’s time? How can I make such a mammoth decision? How will my sweet old mare feel if, for the first time in her life, Harley is no longer her stablemate? (Harley peeked over the stall wall and watched the birth of my mare. They’ve been best friends since she was weaned.)
Does anyone have any updated information on treatment of melanomas?
Photos attached.
