Sarcoids, would u buy a horse with one?

[queenduchess]

I am looking at a horse tomorrow who is everything I'm Looking for except he has a sarcoid on his chest? It is only very small and has been treated but I'm unsure now???
There are no signs of any more appearing but he is only a 4yo. Would you be put off or not worried, or have any of you had horses with sarcoids that have been managed, treated etc
Thanks

 

[NOISYGIRL]

Personally no, why buy a problem, if you were to have a horse that got them after then you have to deal with it, but I certainly wouldn't buy it unless the price reflects it

 

[ArabianGold]

Whisper had a sarcoid on her neck prior to buying her and where it was has left a small scar which can open if you don't keep it covered with fly cream etc in summer.

http://www.liv.ac.uk/sarcoids/appearance/index.htm

Take a look above for more info, quite good reading actually.

Adios

 

[CBAnglo]

As said above, why buy a problem.

Sarcoids can be quite difficult to treat, and can spread so although he only has a small one on his chest now, it is thought that the cells can be transported to other parts of the body (especially where there is an open wound) and another sarcoid form. Even after they have been treated, they can grow back and be much more aggressive.

Also, any treatment will not be covered by insurance now, so you could be looking at hundreds for the various creams etc or thousands for laser surgery. One of mine had two: a small one near his sheath and a tiny one near his girth groove, the size of half a petit pois, and we had both lasered off. It cost about £1,200. The wounds were huge though and took a lot of looking after (making sure flies didnt land on it etc) and then he was off work for 4 months as the wound near his girth groove kept opening up every time he charged around the field.

 

[chestnutmarelover]

Both of my mares have had small sarcoids appear since buying, chestnut mare had tiny one between front legs, thuja cream & echinacea in feed got rid fairly quickly & no more since, coloured 4yr old had a nasty one appear on shoulder last summer, used some cream a friend had from vet for her horse with sarcoids (sorry can't remember name of it) now its gone with not even a scar but no, probably wouldn't buy a horse that already had one....

 

[cheeryplatypus]

Yes I did, but they had been treated. Everything else about him was perfect though. There is no scar and I accept they may return in the future so concentrate on prevention and just enjoying him for now, he's the best pony ever.

 

[Mare Stare]

Depends on the sarcoid and age of horse.

Saffy had one on her chest that could be banded. We didn't actually go through with the banding though and now it has dropped off on it's own accord. Tbh I think this was for the best because her immune system has obviously tackled it and hopefully it won't reoccur.

She's 3 in April. The vet says that a lot of youngsters get them around the age of 2 but most clear up and won't cause a problem in the future.

Also depends what you want the horse for. If it's going to be a happy hacker and it's not in a place that could interfere with tack I'd say go for it.

 

[strictlyhorsey]

Yes, definitely, if it was the horse was what I was looking for. Have had several horses over the years with sarcoids, small, sometimes just one, sometimes a few. I always treated with Sarcoff, not sure about spelling, and they always went away and none have ever come back. A year or so ago I was asking a well known vet about them as I wondered why there was such hype about them and he basically said that lots of famous professionals horses have had them and they have treated them with no problems. He suggested that it was mostly a hyped up problem very overemphasized. Anyway, I have no problems with buying a horse with one.

 

[leskaneen]

My lad had 2 when I bought him as a 5yo-one over his eye!Both dropped off without treatment.He was a bit of a rescue case-was very difficult & had been re homed several times etc-deffo think sarcoids are stress related.He s nearly 12 now-never had any recurrance -there s no scarring on his face & just a little one on his chest but they ve never bothered him!.

 

[Goldenstar]

I have bought several horses with them I expect to get the price of a couple of treatments for the to be taken off the price.
OH hunter had them they where lasered it was very simple to get them to heal he missed two days work and cost under £300 to do ( although I drove him it Edinburgh uni to have them done ,so far ( 6 months ) non have reappeared
I would say buy if you liked the horse and it was reflected in the price and you can afford the treatment I keep a close eye on Frank first sign of any more I will treat again staight away .
however it does depend on the type of scarcoid and on that I would take the vets advice.

 

[debsey1]

I bought my boy without knowing he had one in his groin area, vet report didn't pick it up. It was only when I spoke to his first owner (on passport) that she mentioned his sarcoid.

It really hasn't given him any problems at all. Now and again I put a dab of Sudoceme *sp on which makes the scab soften then drops off.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

How long is a piece of string - could be something or nothing. As others have said, if horse is perfect in all other respects, price reflects the blemish and its in an area that wont affect riding I would consider it. Just remember that your insurance company will probably exclude all sarcoids and maybe skin disorders in general.

 

[cathy rd]

Yes I would.

Sarcoids are so very common these days, and many horses once treated have very few, if any problems with them again.

The price should reflect this though, and you may have to discuss with your insurance company what they might exclude on a policy because of the sarcoids.

 

[sprite1978]

Having been to an equine hospita week, I saw a horse with a serious case of Sarcoids. Around the ears, around the eyes, the body and the stifle. The treatment looked so that I couldnt buy a horse with them Im afraid.

 

[Ladylina83]

I have a horse with sarcoids and I love her - I've had may problems over the years with the little Madam - not one of them sarcoid related !

If it is in and are that doesn't cause problems then I think I would do it all again, hers were groin,and inside of upperleg and one small flat one on her chest, she now only has the one on her chest as a leg strap caught on to one her leg and it actually just dropped off after that the other one in her groin vanished ! Odd I know, glad I left them alone though

 

[Peegeesmum]

I bought a fantastic mare with one sarcoid on the inside of her thigh,quite high up. After a few months it fell off & left a small hole,which very quickly healed & didn't leave any scar.

Ten months ago,I bought 2 youngsters,one of which I discovered after I bought him,had a sarcoid on his scrotum. Since then,he has developed a few more & the original one has grown quite a bit,but they are not bleeding,so I just keep an eye on them for now,but if they become troublesome,I will have to have them treated.

I believe they are stress related.

 

[kirstyl]

My lad had 2 when I bought him as a 5yo-one over his eye!Both dropped off without treatment.He was a bit of a rescue case-was very difficult & had been re homed several times etc-deffo think sarcoids are stress related.He s nearly 12 now-never had any recurrance -there s no scarring on his face & just a little one on his chest but they ve never bothered him!.

I relate to this - I bought my ex racer 2 years ago in an appalling state, in fact my dentist and vet said a couple of weeks in the same state and he wouldn't have been here. He's now competing successfully at Prelim and working towards Novice at home. The year I bought him he developed 3 small sarcoids which were successfully treated with Liverpool Cream, the areas where the sarcoids were are lovely and healthy and we have had no further problems - so far. I strongly feel he developed sarcoids because his immune system was so low. Sarcoids wouldn't put me off buying but you need to do some research first and have a chat to your vet. Horses can have so many conditions - many of which wouldn't show up at vetting. If he looks as if he could be the horse for you, then don't discount immediately.

 

[Capriole]

No, wouldnt be worth the potential hassle and heartache to me,

 

[jeeve]

one of my mare had three, I had them frozen off with liquid nitogen and all good - but it cost $500.00 so not cheap. She may get more, I think it would have to be something that you adjusted the price for.

 

[Fiorano]

Yes I would and did. My little mare was 4 when I bought her and she had three sarcoids all located at the top of her legs. All were treated and, touch wood, no further ones have appeard . She also had poor back feet, standing under herself. My farrier has sorted those out over the two years I've had her and now she is perfect in EVERY way. If the horse is right then I feel it's worth taking on