Opinions on Ali's lump please

[Arizahn]

 

[Arizahn]

This is on her right flank. Vet says it's harmless. Am wondering whether to get a second opinion from another vet? It was oozing/bleeding a little today

 

[misst]

No idea but it does not look quite normal and if it is bleeding/oozing that cannot be right. I would want a second opinion - I see she is grey - how old is she?

 

[Arizahn]

She just turned eleven at the start of February. It has gotten bigger since we bought her at the start of November last year - vet said it was fine then too - and bits have fallen off. It hasn't seeped before though?

I got it checked by my vet when we bought her. Vet said it wasn't attached to anything and that it was probably just a flybite that had been rubbed by tack. Got her to check it again on Wednesday when getting horse her booster. Same vet, same opinion.

But last night it was swollen. And today it was bleeding/oozing and a chunk of it came away. It doesn't smell or anything, but she doesn't like it being touched. She will only let my OH touch it; he puts a botanical cream on it every evening that was recommended for soothing it.

Am really worried about this...

 

[alsiola]

I wouldn't like to guess what this is on appearance alone. If it has been present since November, increased in size since then, oozing/seeping and swollen then it is more than justified to remove it. Simple procedure that can be done under standing sedation and local anaesthesia. Cost around £200 would be fair. Will not only get rid of it but will tell you what it is.

 

[misst]

First of all I know very little about these things so may be barking completely up the wrong tree - apologies if this is so. However if it was my horse I would be querying if it was a sarcoid. The other thing that sprang to mind was a melanoma as she is grey. All the melanomas I have seen in the past have been around the anus/vulva/sheath or internal lumps only palpable through the skin (our old grey has these) but I think you can get them anywhere. I would definitely get a second opinion from a good equine vet next week.

 

[Arizahn]

Thank you. I am very worried, and a bit perplexed by my current vet - she didn't even suggest testing for sarcoids or melanomas. I will get a second opinion this week...

 

[henryhorn]

It looks like a sarcoid to me.
Perhaps time for a different vet, if it's oozing and very sore it needs treating.

 

[GreedyGuts]

From those pictures it looks like a melanoma to me. I don't think it looks like a sarcoid from these. It looks very black, is this the case?

It's in an awkward place and it's getting bigger. It would be very easy to whip off and you could send it off for histopathology to find out exactly what it is. I'd push your vet for that or ask for referral/ 2nd opinion.

 

[Arizahn]

Yes it is black.

 

[karlene]

i agree that it looks like a sarcoid. My pony had one that bits come off and it oozed just as your saying and it kept bleeding, we ended up having the liverpool treatment on him. I would defo get a second opinion on it

 

[flintfootfilly]

I'm sorry I don't have enough experience to suggest what it might be, but if it's grown since November then I would think that on its own warrants having it checked out more.

You say it's on her flank, but from the picture it looks more as though it's on her ribcage in the saddle area? If so, then I'd have thought there's even more reason to have it checked out thoroughly, because presumably you can't put a saddle on her at the moment?

Why is the hair ruffled around the lump? Has she been rubbing it, is it bothering her? Or have you been applying something to that area?

Hope you are able to find out what it is.

Sarah

 

[henryhorn]

Sorry GG I meant melanoma not sarcoid, couldn't think why I said that !

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

If she was mine, I'd be very concerned as it looks like a nasty, aggressive melanoma. I'd get an immediate referral to a specialist clinic and get a biopsy done so you know once and for all what you're dealing with. Act fast.

 

[Beausmate]

Looks too black and smooth to be a sarcoid. I'm thinking melanoma. Would definitely get it thoroughly checked out, especially as it's oozing. Think you're right to worry.

Has it grown much? As for your vet saying it's an insect bite, how long ago was that? November? Should have healed months ago if that were the case.

 

[JanetGeorge]

This looks identical to one a mare of mine (grey - and 15 yo) had on her shoulder. Vet treated it with cryo - and it shelled out in about 3 weeks. Vet was pretty sure it was a sarcoid although melanoma WAS the ther possibility. If the 'growth' is suitable, (and vet has 'the knack') cryo is effective and quicker/less painful than LC (only one visit, cheaper material cost etc.) Came to about £112!

 

[Arizahn]

The fur is ruffled as we cleaned the area around it with a damp cloth. Sorry yes, I call it flank, but yes it is just under the saddle level with the middle of the flap really. I've been using a very thick saddle cloth when I ride, and she has been fine under saddle. But with it oozing I have not been saddling her up at all, as I don't want to risk anything.

I will post when I know more. Thanks everyone. Please cross your fingers for her.

 

[Lintel]

From those pictures it looks like a melanoma to me. I don't think it looks like a sarcoid from these. It looks very black, is this the case?

It's in an awkward place and it's getting bigger. It would be very easy to whip off and you could send it off for histopathology to find out exactly what it is. I'd push your vet for that or ask for referral/ 2nd opinion.

Yeah- looks horrific. But I'll back up what GreedyGuts has said.
I'd get it cut out defiantly! Looks really like a rubbed and burst melanoma to be honest.
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=ho...=159&tbnw=212&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:81,i:5
If you do let us know the results.

 

[thundersprite]

looks like a melanoma to me too as my mare has sarcoids but they didnt loook black like that

 

[amandap]

Definitely get a second or even third opinion. x

 

[amandap]

ps. I personally would stop riding until you know exactly what it is so as not to irritate it. I wouldn't put anything on it either. Fingers crossed it's something simple. x

 

[Frozen Hoof Boots]

that looks exactly like the pic in the H&H Vet Edition (DH bought me a copy of today...) of a Melanoma.

 

[SusieT]

Given location and consistancy second opinion and get it removed-long term its not going to be conducive to saddling so get it removed while its small

 

[Arizahn]

Thank you all again, it's good to have people to talk to about this. I will not be riding her until it has been treated and dealt with. We shall do lots of groundwork in the meantime, and I will have lessons on another horse to stay in practice for when she is better.

She has a home for life with us, even if she ends up being permanently unrideable...although I hope this won't be the case. I won't be selling her on; she's too good a friend to me for that. I'm moving her to grass livery this summer, so she will have plenty of exercise available to her even when not being ridden - massive fields to race about in, she loves doing that!

 

[BethH]

Lucky horse! I hope you get it all resolved with good news, my horse would kill for a summer like that!