Sarcoids on new purchase

[mle22]

Gosh - there are a lot of high horses in this thread and not a lot of sympathy from some people!

 

[magic104]

is this quote from the vet or you? "some cancers are thought to be hereditary so why not sarcoids?"

i understand they shouldn't be underestimated (i have a horse with them ) but i also think there is a lot of misinformation flying around dressed as fact such as them being hereditary.

it is a cancer and most horses don't ever become sarcoid-free after having them but i do think there is unwarranted hysteria surrounding the whole subject- mainly as there is so little known about them and the elusive cure.

as for vettings- horses don't pass or fail.
yes, the vet should pick them up and note them in the report (assuming he can get close enough to the horse to examine ) but it doesn't mean the horse has failed- just that it won't be covered on subsequent insurance.

!Ask H&H: equine sarcoids and cattle

Kathy Carter

15 January, 2009

Q: I have heard that equine sarcoids are linked to the bovine pap virus. Can sarcoids be passed from cattle to horses?
NJ, Lincolnshire


Sarcoids are tumours that occur in the horse, only affecting the skin. Some types of the bovine papillomavirus (BPV) are associated with development of sarcoids. However, experts are still looking into the modes of transmission, for example being passed by flies to equine wound sites, or via contaminated pasture.


Researchers at the University of Glasgow's Institute of Comparative Medicine recently stated that BPV is the only pap virus that jumps species, as it infects equids (ref 1). A further study this year by researchers at Belgium's Ghent University (ref 2) found that BPV can be detected in normal (non-cancerous) equine skin, suggesting that some horses are simply carriers.


We asked vet Deborah Pett, of Cinder Hill Equine Clinic in Sussex, for her take on the situation.


"This is a very good question and sarcoids have certainly previously been considered to be non-infectious," she said. "However, while there is much evidence to support the involvement of BPV in the development of equine sarcoids, the fact is that currently we do not know for certain whether sarcoids are contagious or not and genetics and breed type also appear to contribute to susceptibility.


"DNA fragments from BPV have also been detected in flies, supporting the proposal that flies may act as the vector for the virus, carrying it from place to place, and possibly from cow to horse. Therefore, if it does emerge that BPV is the causative agent, direct or indirect contact between cow and horse may not be necessary for transmission. At our veterinary practice, we have not seen a link between horses with sarcoids and contact with cattle, but it will certainly be interesting to see what further evidence emerges in the future."


H&H vet Karen Coumbe, from Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic in Kent, added: "Sarcoids most commonly appear on the areas of a horse's anatomy where flies congregate, such as around the eyes, the groin or at the site of healing wounds. This has made me suspect flies as part of the cause, as they may well carry virus particles, or indeed other 'nasties' from cattle, horses or elsewhere.


"Although cattle may well be incriminated, I think one should also consider the possible risk of other horses affected with sarcoids, especially if there are sarcoids that are traumatised, so that they bleed and attract flies.


"Certainly, there is evidence of a hereditary influence on the development of sarcoids, so some horses may well be more susceptible than others," said Karen. "It also highlights the need for effective fly control."

I cant highlight the line "Certainly, there is evidence of a hereditary influence on the develpment of sarcoids" - but that view is not uncommon amongst vets. As I think I already stated nothing confirmed, but if medical people make those comments what do you expect. I have no idea why there appears to be more horses with them then I remember seeing as a child. I was on a large yard with a mixture of breeds, ages etc, I dont ever remember seeing a horse with them. Now our yard alone has 5 horses with them, nothing as bad as the WB had & mainly TB's. Sarcoids are not something you can hide, so if horses had them then they would have been noticed.

If I was the poster I sure as hell would not be paying a further 2.5k for something I was not 100% happy with. That money would buy a very nice youngster & I am sure for the right price the current horse would find a home elsewhere.

 

[millitiger]

i'm not sure if you are copying all this info for my benefit but i have already done a lot of research on them so not really necessary, but thank you

whether they are more common now, i'm not sure. i think since they could be diagnosed as sarcoids then perhaps they appear more common but i suspect people used to just think they were a strain of wart.
although as it is meant to be carried by flies it seems sensible that the pool of horses with sarcoids will keep increasing unless a cure can be found.

there are some vets who think it is hereditary, others who think it isn't and unless there is PROOF i think it is a shame that some people continue to comment on it as FACT.

the real fact is no-one knows why some horses are susceptible and some aren't- i know they have been researching this a lot but no outcome from the study yet afaik.

imo, the main thing is to be extremely vigilant- go over your horse with a fine toothcomb regularly and treat sarcoids as soon as they appear.
fly rugs and repellent are a huge must, stabling in the day if possible and keeping away from cattle.