Sarcoids - this is WAR!

[SatansLittleHelper]

Glad to hear things are improving for Luscious Ludo ❤❤❤

 

[Greyhorse1]

Really interesting reading!

The skin has fallen off my horses leaving it looking rather raw.

I have not treated it so not sure if this is good or bad!

 

[ycbm]

It should be either. Want to put up a picture?

 

[Greyhorse1]

Hopefully this works!

The picture of it looking raw is current. The hair is wet around it as I’ve hibiscrubbed some of the scabs away.
The other picture is of it before the skin came off.

It’s also bleeding. It was seen by a vet around 6w ago when it was in the nicer photo who said to monitor or attempt to band it.

 

[ycbm]

That might fall out in the next couple of days. If it does, then I would recommend that you use acyclovir on the hole until it is completely healed. If it doesn't drop out, I would band it if you have enough skin, because going raw like that is not a good sign unless it drops out soon.

Can you see the different hair in a circle around it, maybe 3cm wide? If you band it, be prepared to lose all of that and have to kill the root with something else as well.

My experience is that balls like that, banded and with the root killed, are the easiest to get rid of. I've done two on other horses and Ludo had three. None had to be treated more than once.

 

[Greyhorse1]

Ah I really hope it drops out! I was reluctant to hand originally as it wasn’t bothering her and I didn’t want to cause her pain but now it’s annoying and bleeding so it needs to go either way!

Can they normally still be worked with a sarcoid banded and how long do they take to drop off?!

 

[ycbm]

I'd work her. They can take a month to drop off.

 

[Mule]

I'd work her. They can take a month to drop off.

I now have an image of you and Ludo travelling the country giving demonstrations with a medical bag of copper sulphate and acyclivor

 

[Carrottom]

I now have an image of you and Ludo travelling the country giving demonstrations with a medical bag of copper sulphate and acyclivor

Similar thought crossed my mind, or a you tube channel.

 

[Mule]

Similar thought crossed my mind, or a you tube channel.

I would subscribe

 

[KautoStar1]

Am I the only person who thinks that self medicating sarcoids is madness ? and that there are people on here following this advice. From a random stranger / self professed expert, on the internet ?

And I say this as someone with a horse who has had sarcoids and treatment for and therefore some experience of them and the different treatment protocols, including Aciclivor, laser, electro chemo etc etc.

You wouldnt treat your own skin cancer with home made remedies, why would you do the same to your horse ? Why would you not seek the advice of a specialist ?

Some of this is staggering.

But, just my view for what its probably not worth.

 

[ihatework]

Am I the only person who thinks that self medicating sarcoids is madness ? and that there are people on here following this advice. From a random stranger / self professed expert, on the internet ?

And I say this as someone with a horse who has had sarcoids and treatment for and therefore some experience of them and the different treatment protocols, including Aciclivor, laser, electro chemo etc etc.

You wouldnt treat your own skin cancer with home made remedies, why would you do the same to your horse ? Why would you not seek the advice of a specialist ?

Some of this is staggering.

But, just my view for what its probably not worth.

I’d imagine the OP will come back, point to the disclaimer in the OP, tell us all how successful they are at treating sarcoids and that medical professionals are just out to scaremonger and take money.

To some extent I’d agree with that.

Owners messing around with sarcoids is common. There will be examples of catastrophic consequences. Mostly what is being done will have little effect either way.

I agree with your overall sentiment though. Personally I think this is a very dangerous thread. We see all too often people taking internet stuff and advice of random strangers as gospel. It makes me uncomfortable.
If someone does it with eyes wide open and accepting the risks & consequences then I wouldn’t loose sleep. If they meddle because they are just too stupid to understand the implications then it worries me.

 

[Carrottom]

I thought the smilies were used to indicate tongue in cheek?
I don't think anyone is suggesting not to speak to a vet, but a vet is probably only with the horse and owner for a few minutes, online support can be helpful especially in the dark evenings.

 

[milliepops]

Am I the only person who thinks that self medicating sarcoids is madness ? and that there are people on here following this advice. From a random stranger / self professed expert, on the internet ?

nope.

 

[KautoStar1]

I thought the smilies were used to indicate tongue in cheek?
I don't think anyone is suggesting not to speak to a vet, but a vet is probably only with the horse and owner for a few minutes, online support can be helpful especially in the dark evenings.

I'm suggesting you speak to an expert in sarcoids, not a regular vet. Not all vets are equal when it comes to such things. Or many other things for that matter. In the same way you wouldnt rely of your GP to make a cancer diagnosis.

 

[DiNozzo]

YBCM has made it clear throughout the thread that she is not an expert, but is treating her own horses under her own steam, from her own research. Thats been made clear to other strangers on the internet, who presumably have a brain, and can use YBCM's comments and experiences to help them with the basis of their own treatment of animals.

GreyHorse1's horse has seen a vet, and is happy for it to be banded off. I don't think asking for other people's advice on the matter is a bad thing, particularly when quite often the owner has done more research than most vets into an issue.

A conversation on the internet with someone, I think generally does more good than harm, as it can be used as a starting point for research for other forum users. Advice is offered across the forum without these sorts of comments being made?

Use of Copper Sulphate (topically) is referenced here as 'one of the oldest methods of treating sarcoids'. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2e08/91a8ef9bc4ac354dc6073450f0ba30064b55.pdf

Acyclovir cream is discussed regularly for its antiviral properties, and the issue in proving its success rate in sarcoid treatment is that there is no full pathogenesis for sarcoids. Acyclovir relies on a certain protein being present at the time of treatment (plus the time its still on/in the dermal layers) to 'activate' its antiviral properties. There is certainly no harm in applying it, and some potential benefits.

There a few studies that have shown results either way, have a look and see what you think:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21493530

https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-017-1215-0

My whole post has come from a few minutes of googling, so it's really not difficult to use as a starting point.

 

[ycbm]

Everything is looking really good today. Big shrinkage in the surface area of the last two pieces, his chest and his girth. I can hardly believe what a tiny scar he has in his armpit when I think of the size of lump that fell out of it 😳.

The last vet who saw him in early March was happy with what I was doing, and I have no doubt that when this is all finished I will get exactly the same reaction from future vets as I have from three previous ones ' i can't get a better result than that with Liverpool cream or lasers'. One grumpily followed that up with 'but let's see if it regrows'. It didn't 😋.

 

[SusieT]

Anyone who follows the advice of a randomer on the internet ref treating this nasty disease is mad. Go to a decent vet, get the correct treatment that has evidence it will work - plenty of sarcoids are not actually sarcoids, some were going to go away anyway, (particularly young horses) - but if you mess with it in the wrong way you risk it becoming much much worse.

 

[ycbm]

Back in work today with a sheepskin on the girth and everything looking really good. He did seem happy to be working again, and is definitely feeling well with the spring grass coming through 😊

I'll finish the three months of sarc-ex I've got and then stop it and see what happens. I'm hoping he had so many all at the same time that his immune system was kicked into action and he has now developed some immunity to them.

Thanks for all the crossed fingers!

 

[sz90168]

Back in work today with a sheepskin on the girth and everything looking really good. He did seem happy to be working again, and is definitely feeling well with the spring grass coming through 😊

I'll finish the three months of sarc-ex I've got and then stop it and see what happens. I'm hoping he had so many all at the same time that his immune system was kicked into action and he has now developed some immunity to them.

Thanks for all the crossed fingers!

Hi, a sacroid has just been found on my young horse. What do you puts on yours and where do you get it from?

 

[ycbm]

I think the thread is perfectly clear what I did, but I would not recommend you treating your own horse without input from a vet.

 

[calamityjane]

My 24 year old Arab mare has had a sarcoid for years. I was advised by the vet back then that it would be wisest to leave it alone. Reluctantly I did and it stayed as it was, more or less. It is a flat black thing, (her skin is black of course. She is a grey.) about the size of an oval old style fifty P piece on her shoulder. I noticed as time has gone on, a few other small sarcoids trying to appear here and there.
As she is getting on a bit and when moving was stressful to us all, I started her on a daily dose of turmeric in her feed. The sarcoid calmed down and she seemed very well in herself. The other tiny sarcoid babies just disappeared over the winter.
Then she bashed the main thing somehow and it started to grow, a familiar story with these things. I read about the toothpaste treatment and as it was a busy time in other ways I applied the type of toothpaste suggested while continuing with turmeric in feeds. This was great in some ways. It made her look better with a white rather than black patch and kept the flies off, was easy to apply and smelled nice too. It seemed to calm the bloody surface and to protect but that was all. I left it alone just keeping flies off in this way.
Lately, she scraped it on something. I just sticks out a little like a fat scab. Again it started to grow, thicker and more disgusting. The lower edge travelled down half an inch. I had another read of vet recommendations and decided to try more holistic approach based on what I had read on a lot of sites.
I am now adding a Herbal mix to her feed,a supplement to improve immune response and anti virus while applying turmeric paste to the sarcoid. It has been a week since I started this and a great chunk of the thing fell off this morning from the main mass and the lower edge has retreated. I will keep on with the turmeric paste and feeds.
Downside is that Shah does not like me touching the sarcoid and I have to be very gentle in applying the turmeric paste. This sensitivity is new.

 

[ycbm]

I think you should be consulting a vet.

 

[Goldenstar]

My 24 year old Arab mare has had a sarcoid for years. I was advised by the vet back then that it would be wisest to leave it alone. Reluctantly I did and it stayed as it was, more or less. It is a flat black thing, (her skin is black of course. She is a grey.) about the size of an oval old style fifty P piece on her shoulder. I noticed as time has gone on, a few other small sarcoids trying to appear here and there.
As she is getting on a bit and when moving was stressful to us all, I started her on a daily dose of turmeric in her feed. The sarcoid calmed down and she seemed very well in herself. The other tiny sarcoid babies just disappeared over the winter.
Then she bashed the main thing somehow and it started to grow, a familiar story with these things. I read about the toothpaste treatment and as it was a busy time in other ways I applied the type of toothpaste suggested while continuing with turmeric in feeds. This was great in some ways. It made her look better with a white rather than black patch and kept the flies off, was easy to apply and smelled nice too. It seemed to calm the bloody surface and to protect but that was all. I left it alone just keeping flies off in this way.
Lately, she scraped it on something. I just sticks out a little like a fat scab. Again it started to grow, thicker and more disgusting. The lower edge travelled down half an inch. I had another read of vet recommendations and decided to try more holistic approach based on what I had read on a lot of sites.
I am now adding a Herbal mix to her feed,a supplement to improve immune response and anti virus while applying turmeric paste to the sarcoid. It has been a week since I started this and a great chunk of the thing fell off this morning from the main mass and the lower edge has retreated. I will keep on with the turmeric paste and feeds.
Downside is that Shah does not like me touching the sarcoid and I have to be very gentle in applying the turmeric paste. This sensitivity is new.

For heavens sake get a vet .

 

[Pinkvboots]

My 24 year old Arab mare has had a sarcoid for years. I was advised by the vet back then that it would be wisest to leave it alone. Reluctantly I did and it stayed as it was, more or less. It is a flat black thing, (her skin is black of course. She is a grey.) about the size of an oval old style fifty P piece on her shoulder. I noticed as time has gone on, a few other small sarcoids trying to appear here and there.
As she is getting on a bit and when moving was stressful to us all, I started her on a daily dose of turmeric in her feed. The sarcoid calmed down and she seemed very well in herself. The other tiny sarcoid babies just disappeared over the winter.
Then she bashed the main thing somehow and it started to grow, a familiar story with these things. I read about the toothpaste treatment and as it was a busy time in other ways I applied the type of toothpaste suggested while continuing with turmeric in feeds. This was great in some ways. It made her look better with a white rather than black patch and kept the flies off, was easy to apply and smelled nice too. It seemed to calm the bloody surface and to protect but that was all. I left it alone just keeping flies off in this way.
Lately, she scraped it on something. I just sticks out a little like a fat scab. Again it started to grow, thicker and more disgusting. The lower edge travelled down half an inch. I had another read of vet recommendations and decided to try more holistic approach based on what I had read on a lot of sites.
I am now adding a Herbal mix to her feed,a supplement to improve immune response and anti virus while applying turmeric paste to the sarcoid. It has been a week since I started this and a great chunk of the thing fell off this morning from the main mass and the lower edge has retreated. I will keep on with the turmeric paste and feeds.
Downside is that Shah does not like me touching the sarcoid and I have to be very gentle in applying the turmeric paste. This sensitivity is new.

Really! Why don't you get a vet would you put tumeric on your skin cancer?

 

[KautoStar1]

My 24 year old Arab mare has had a sarcoid for years. I was advised by the vet back then that it would be wisest to leave it alone. Reluctantly I did and it stayed as it was, more or less. It is a flat black thing, (her skin is black of course. She is a grey.) about the size of an oval old style fifty P piece on her shoulder. I noticed as time has gone on, a few other small sarcoids trying to appear here and there.
As she is getting on a bit and when moving was stressful to us all, I started her on a daily dose of turmeric in her feed. The sarcoid calmed down and she seemed very well in herself. The other tiny sarcoid babies just disappeared over the winter.
Then she bashed the main thing somehow and it started to grow, a familiar story with these things. I read about the toothpaste treatment and as it was a busy time in other ways I applied the type of toothpaste suggested while continuing with turmeric in feeds. This was great in some ways. It made her look better with a white rather than black patch and kept the flies off, was easy to apply and smelled nice too. It seemed to calm the bloody surface and to protect but that was all. I left it alone just keeping flies off in this way.
Lately, she scraped it on something. I just sticks out a little like a fat scab. Again it started to grow, thicker and more disgusting. The lower edge travelled down half an inch. I had another read of vet recommendations and decided to try more holistic approach based on what I had read on a lot of sites.
I am now adding a Herbal mix to her feed,a supplement to improve immune response and anti virus while applying turmeric paste to the sarcoid. It has been a week since I started this and a great chunk of the thing fell off this morning from the main mass and the lower edge has retreated. I will keep on with the turmeric paste and feeds.
Downside is that Shah does not like me touching the sarcoid and I have to be very gentle in applying the turmeric paste. This sensitivity is new.

FFS, get a specialist vet to look at it. Stop messing about with home made potions. Would you seriously put toothpaste on your own skin lesions ?

 

[Willem17]

I’m glad to have found this post after trying every treatment under the sun with my horse under vet supervision. As for so called ‘sarcoid experts/specialists’ they prescribed Liverpool cream which made them explode into the size of grapefruits after only being tiny. My horse has had £7000 spent on her trying to treat this. The hunt was called in to put her out of her misery but I’m trying the copper sulphate as a last ditch attempt to save her. Aldara cream has been the only thing to get rid of any but it is an absolute fortune for tiny packets of the stuff. My horse has over 50 sarcoids and every kind including malevolent. I want rid of them as she is spreading them to my other ponies via the flies.

 

[tristar]

a grey we have had several of different types, one small which would bleed if rubbed, i just kept it clean, and covered when needed, i changed the horses diet, no longer use alfa and chaffs, inc fast fibre and grass nuts with oats, gave a course of seaweed a few times, the whole lot went,! in about nine months, i took the approach of they were not big did not change a lot except when rubbed, so did not encourage change in them, just observed, the vet was of a similar opinion

 

[tristar]

I’m glad to have found this post after trying every treatment under the sun with my horse under vet supervision. As for so called ‘sarcoid experts/specialists’ they prescribed Liverpool cream which made them explode into the size of grapefruits after only being tiny. My horse has had £7000 spent on her trying to treat this. The hunt was called in to put her out of her misery but I’m trying the copper sulphate as a last ditch attempt to save her. Aldara cream has been the only thing to get rid of any but it is an absolute fortune for tiny packets of the stuff. My horse has over 50 sarcoids and every kind including malevolent. I want rid of them as she is spreading them to my other ponies via the flies.

my experience led me to think they were caused by flies in the first place, and would be a good idea to isolate if they are `open` as a precaution

forgot to say, i felt improvement in immune system played a bit part in getting rid, i would tackle that as a priority

so sorry you and your horse are going through this xxx

 

[ycbm]

I’m glad to have found this post after trying every treatment under the sun with my horse under vet supervision. As for so called ‘sarcoid experts/specialists’ they prescribed Liverpool cream which made them explode into the size of grapefruits after only being tiny. My horse has had £7000 spent on her trying to treat this. The hunt was called in to put her out of her misery but I’m trying the copper sulphate as a last ditch attempt to save her. Aldara cream has been the only thing to get rid of any but it is an absolute fortune for tiny packets of the stuff. My horse has over 50 sarcoids and every kind including malevolent. I want rid of them as she is spreading them to my other ponies via the flies.

As a last resort, what other option have you than to put her down?

The horse the story was started about is now five. He appears to have his immune system on top of them and a very suspicious piece of crinkled black skin fell off his chest earlier in the year. He occasionally gets new circles in the hair colour, which disappear, whether due to the acyclovir I use or not, i don't know. None of the ones I removed with copper sulphate have come back for well over a year now.

I know some people think this thread is dangerous, but the information is all over the Internet if you look for it. Nobody should be trying this without having a vet look first. Not all lumps are sarcoids and even if they are, removing them by any means is no joke if they go deep.
.