Squamous cell carcinoma

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summer1

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My poor boy was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in May, we have been trying to treat it with aciclovir cream which did really have amazing results for the first four months but the last few weeks the growths are increasing in size and he had an infection a few weeks ago.
Vets feel penile amputation is not a good idea and laser surgery cannot be done because of the number of growths.
We tried pirixocam a month ago (can reduce cancer growth) but it upset his stomach so had to stop.
Has anyone had to deal with this with their horse and what route did you take? ie surgery? or any other ideas ie supplements?
 
My old boy was diagnosed with this some years ago, when he was mid to late twenties. Because he was so old, had COPD etc, surgery was not considered an option, and no other treatment was offered. He had bouts of anaemia, which a dose of Red Cell helped.

I am sorry I cant be more helpful, I just wanted to wish you good luck with the treatment of your boy. xx
 
Thank you for your kind thoughts.

May I ask about your boy? sorry if it brings up bad memories and will understand it if you dont wish to add more.

Ive got my vet coming tomorrow as I think he has another infection and he is looking subdued today. Ive never been in this position before, it is incredibly hard and really upsetting as I feel I cant do anything more but so wish I could.
 
When he was diagnosed, he was already mid twenties, with COPD, and the vet thought he would have a good couple of years or more before it troubled him.
He was fine for a couple of years, I just had to be active with the fly spray and washing the blood off his legs.
Then he started to get anaemic and weak, quite a dramatic weight loss, and his body thermostat was all over the place. It was when he started to look very shut down, and the other ponies gently pushed him away when grazing together, that I knew his time had come. :(

I wish you all the best with yours, and please ask if there is anything specific you want to know. xx
 
My mare had this in both third eyelids. She went to AHT and had them both removed. She didn't have any problems afterwards. However, she did die quite unexpectedly of a pulmonary embolism a couple years later, which it was thought to be possibly attributable to an internal growth. Like people you never know what you can not see. The strange thing was, she died on the Monday morning I went back to work after 6 months off with cancer.
 
Sprout thank you for your posts, I really panicked yesterday when he looked so sad. Can I ask how many growths your boy had at first? what they looked like?

Foxy 1, thank you, ive read the thread and Im sorry youve been through it too. And all the others who have experienced this.

Ditchjumper 1, gosh thats so sad. I hope you are still ok.

My vet came today, she is unsure if it is an infection, possibly the cancer growing upwards (the swelling is at the top of the shaft, previously thought by another vet to be an infection). So another lot of antibiotics to see if the swelling reduces if not we can presume the cancer is spreading.
On the bright side he is still eating, hasnt lost weight and there are some areas keeping clear due to the cream.
Im going to try the pirixocam again in a lower dose with some charcoal/gastroguard to protect his stomach.

Vet said it is progressing and we are trying to stop it, to enjoy as much as I can with him. But it isnt time yet so thats put a smile on my face temporarily.

Perhaps vets should recommend check ups on geldings genitals at least once if not twice a year?
 
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