Single Sarcoid -the best course of action

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robthecob

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A couple of weeks ago I found between my horses back legs a single sarcoid. It is small like a pimple and feels like dry skin around the outside. At the moment where it is and at it's current size it causes no problems, it us grey not pink or angry but it does seem to have come out of no where.

Horse is 8 and LOU due to previous lameness but is in work, this is my first experience with sarcoids and as the horse is uninsured I'm not really sure what to do.

Does it sound likes sarcoid? It's been there for 3 weeks and is unchanged in size or colour. Should I treat now or wait and see if more appear? Obviously liverpool cream is very expensive and we wouldn't be covered under insurance. Have read on net positive things about sarc ex, is it worth trying? Do raised sarcoids like this normally respond.

Finally one probably very dumb question but do I need to be careful about where I touch after touching it? Is it something that I could spread by me touching it and then touching her eye etc...

Thanks in advance from me and the money pit pony :)
 
The treatment needed/liklihood of sucess etc are best judged by your vet as sarcoids are such tricky things. They should take pics (or you can send them pics) and send them off to Prof Knottenbelt at Liverpool. He will suggest the treatment. You can then decide if you would like to go ahead. That part costs nothing (if you do the pics yourself and so avoid a vet call out).

My mare had one on her head (but was ulcerated and open as it was growing so fast) which fortunatly responded ever so well to treatment. She has a couple between her back legs, one sounds just as you have described. My vets advice was to leave well alone unless it becomes a problem as although there are treatments which are good - if they don't work then they can make them a whole lot worse. If what you have isn't a problem (not open/doesn't rub etc) then leave well alone. Keep an eye on it and if you notice it growing or changing then it is worth having the vet to take a look.

On the sarcoid ideally avoid using anything - def avoid things that increase cell growth like aloe vera, and 110% avoid any over the counter remedies for sarcoids. They can be very nasty so they really are a vet only job, not something to try and treat yourself.

Unless it is open, and you then touch another open wound on your horse, then you shouldn't be able to spread it. Incase it is something else (like a type of wart perhaps) I wouldn't go poking it and then touching anywhere else just in case.

This is a useful page http://www.liv.ac.uk/sarcoids/introduction/index.htm

I haven't fed my mare anything particular in the way of sarcoid supplements as I can't find the ingredients anywhere, which makes me question if I am feeding a load of expensive feed room sweepings! I belive the development of sarcoids has been linked to lowered imune system so I ensure that my mare gets a good balanced diet - just your usual healthy diet though! Feed supps are tricky because sarcoids can some and go of their own accord, so even if you feed something fancy, the sarcoid might have just gone anyway!
 
Just giving you my experience of sarcoids - I have had several with them, to be fair none were horrific though.

I personally would start with marmite or camrosa ointment dabbed on twice daily.

If it did get angry or start growing quickly I would call out the vet, and I have personally had more success with them being removed - surgically or frozen off - rather than using the really nasty creams.

If it gets no bigger and is not in the way you are far better leaving it be x
 
LJR said:
Just giving you my experience of sarcoids - I have had several with them, to be fair none were horrific though.

I personally would start with marmite or camrosa ointment dabbed on twice daily.

If it did get angry or start growing quickly I would call out the vet, and I have personally had more success with them being removed - surgically or frozen off - rather than using the really nasty creams.
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Not wanting to start an argument, but I would catagorically NOT do that. Failure of a treatment on a sarcoid drastically reduces the chance of future treatments working, and can make the sarcoid alot worse.

If you and your vet decide that it should be treated, then I would totally follow your vets and Liverpools suggestions on what to try. It is really important to recognise that this just isn't something to try and treat yourself.
 
Look up thuja, it can be bought as either drops or tiny round ball type tablets that can both go in the feed. They work from the inside, are homeopathic and do get rid of sarcoids.
 
Try using Zovirax (human cold sold cream) or boots own brand. Works a treat they drop off within a couple of weeks if applied two-three times a day.
 
Don't do anything with it. My boy has a sarcoid in exactly the same place. I, now and again use to put a little sudocrem (sp) on which would soften the crustiness, then fall off leaving soft skin. It is still there but doesn't give him any problems and hasn't grown in size (5p size).
 
ThePony said:
Not wanting to start an argument, but I would catagorically NOT do that. Failure of a treatment on a sarcoid drastically reduces the chance of future treatments working, and can make the sarcoid alot worse.
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But sarcoids are funny old things and that's not true about a lot of them.. For instance, my ginger boy had a sarcoid just inside the fold of his stifle. Grew to the size of a marble, and then 'shelled' itself just like a pea! I know it was a sarcoid as I sent it away for biopsy.

Scar healed. No recurrence of sarcoids in the last 10 years :)

I do however agree with not treating it topically with anything, if it were me I would have my vet check it over and if necessary send some photos in to Prof. Knottenbelt for advice.

:)
 
Rhino's reply is probably the best advice. While early treatment is often the recommended for sarcoids by experts (inc Dr Knottenbelt), in some cases and it sounds lke this is one, then it can be difficult to determine this early if they are infact definietly sarcoids. I would monitor for changes over the next fortniht to month before deciding on treating - unless it grows hugely during that time.

Last year a study came out from the Netherlands i belive that showed approx 60% of "mild" sarcoids improved with treatment with Acyclovir(Zovirax). This treatment was chosen as it is used to treat viral (herpes) disease in humans and sarcoids are also of viral origin.

Rhino - interesting how you say "shelled out". Did it have a spikey interior? I ask because bovine papillomas "shell out" and cn appear just like a horse chestnut on the interior. As you probably know bovine papilloma virus is said to be the cause of sarcoids in horses.


ETA - as for getting vet to mail Dr Knottenbelt - I believe before I qualified i emailed him about a horse knew with sarcoids and he replied very promptly and assessed photos etc. So you could probably email him directly. Otherwise, email your vets some clear photos (saves you a call out) and ask them to email Dr Knottenbelt for you.
 
Thank you all :) vet is out next Wednesday anyway so I will ask the question then.

I am not desperate to do anything with it I just want to do the right thing if it's to leave it alone then that I shall do (apart from inspecting it daily to see if it's grown he he)

I get coldsores but I rarely kiss her bum so i presume I wouldn't have been able to pass it on? lol
 
glenruby said:
Rhino - interesting how you say "shelled out". Did it have a spikey interior? I ask because bovine papillomas "shell out" and cn appear just like a horse chestnut on the interior. As you probably know bovine papilloma virus is said to be the cause of sarcoids in horses.
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Nope, it was just a smooth 'ball'. I had been aware of it for a few months but it didn't appear to be growing and the skin itself was fairly 'normal'. Over the space of a couple of days the skin started to become slightly crusty and sore, so as vet was at the yard I asked him to take a look. It was actually quite funny as it just dropped out into his hand as he was examining it! Sent it off for biopsy just out of interest, will have a look to see if I can find the copy of the report I was sent.

:)
 
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