Sarcoids...are they spread by flies?

Spit That Out

Spit That Out

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I was just having a chat with a yard friend yesterday and she was talking about Sarcoids.
I thought they were genetic but she said there was new research saying they were spread by flies.
Has anyone else heard of this new research?
If they are spread by files can they also be spread by grooming equipment, general contact between horses or humans etc or does it have to be a fluid transfer?
She has two horses one of which has a couple of Sarcoids and her other which until about a year ago never had one and the vet said they were probably spread by the flies. When the flies bite they transfer the virus.
Does anyone know about Sarcoids?

Also in Veterinary
 
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There is evidence that flies help transfer the sarcoids and some YOs won't allow horses with them onto the yard. There is also evidence that the bovine papilloma virus is involved. It's the horse itself which may be susceptible, however and some colours are more prone than others. One horse at my yard had one and there have been several since.

There's no concrete whys and wherefores just yet, but you are advised to have separate grooming gear and to wear gloves if touching a sarcoid.

Weirdly, since treating my boy for a sarcoid, I keep getting teeny wart like lumps, but the GP and the (dog) vet both reckon they can't be transferred from horse to human. Saying that, the vet went off to check his internet and came back talking about sarcoidosis-totally different thing!

I've read an awful lot about this and have spoken to lots of people who have tried different 'cures'. My boy's was successfully treated with Liverpool cream.
 
Thanks, cinammontoast.

There are over 80 horses on our yard and i know at least 6 horses that have sarcoids and I never gave it much thought as i though it was a genetic thing.

Oh well, apart from slapping on the fly spray there is noting i can do about the flies...just another thing for me to be neurotic about :D
 
As I said, there is no concrete evidence as yet with research being ongoing. Some horses are more prone and may be more susceptible if they have depressed immune systems, hence Sarc-ex from Global Herbs claims to boost the immune system.

There was an interesting article that claimed to have the definitive answer to how/why they were spread on (American article, I think) another forum: I'll see if I can resurrect it.

Re fly spray, there is a fab product called Summer Fly Cream, brilliant for specific areas like the sheath, although bright yellow-very funny!
 
My horse has a sarcoid and he did have a tiny one develop on his sheath which was obviously passed on by the flies,this tiny one has now gone,but the original one is still being treated with BR Cream.
I believe that flies can pass it on.My ponio has never had one and shes in the same field.
 
My vet at the time, about 15 years ago told me he thought they were spread by flies. Certainly, think where they tend to be - girth areas, around the ears, sheath and around the "armpit" area - everywhere which tends to get sweaty and tend to attract flies. I think they are a combination of things myself, genetics, immunity and opportunist flies.
 
I have been told by 2 experts on the subject including the prof who developed the cream that flies do spread sarcoids. However if your horse is not prone to getting sarcoids then it could be in a field with 100s of horses with sarcoids and it wouldn't matter. It is why 1 horse is prone and others aren't is the tricky bit. Maybe genetic but there is no real proof I believe. Bit like why 1 person gets warts and another doesn't. Best fly spray is parafin (not petrol!) again a tip from the experts and while horse smells like a car it does work very well and is about 10th of the price of horsey fly sprays. A "bulb" over the eyes works very well too altho my horse's friend likes taking it off, so many hours are spent trudging the fields to fine it again!
 
I had heard this to be true, I suppose it would have to be transferred from open weapy sarcoid to a wound on another horse, they wouldn't just get them from landing on fur I wouldn't have thought, if its horse flies they slash the skin then suck the blood so maybe its that way, I don't know....
 
They also spread to wounds if there are already sarcoids present on the horse, which I assume is by the flies so seems pretty conclusive flies are a culprit. Know this as had issues with such myself. However, I too understood spread on the same horse with an existing sarcoid, not to other horses on yard. I hope this is correct?
 
NOISYGIRL said:
I had heard this to be true, I suppose it would have to be transferred from open weapy sarcoid to a wound on another horse, they wouldn't just get them from landing on fur I wouldn't have thought, if its horse flies they slash the skin then suck the blood so maybe its that way, I don't know....
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PMSL at your signature!
 
greymare said:
They also spread to wounds if there are already sarcoids present on the horse, which I assume is by the flies so seems pretty conclusive flies are a culprit. Know this as had issues with such myself. However, I too understood spread on the same horse with an existing sarcoid, not to other horses on yard. I hope this is correct?
Click to expand...

My boy has one sarcoid and has had it since last year.The flies must of nibbled on it,as I then found a tiny one on his groin,I then treated it with blood root cream and it dropped off.Im still treating the other one.
Rotten flies are a pain.
Garlic is a good deterrent too!!!
 
Good luck with getting rid of them sharon1959 - at least your boys don't sound too prolific - my 4-5 year old developed 7 within 4 months all different types so was a major issue. Hopefuly when they are slow developing and appear curable not so much of a problem for you both
 
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