Has anyone had any experience with Melanoma? My mare has one on her back, leg and chin. At first I thought they were sarcoids but I'm starting to think it is Melanoma. The vet looked at the one on her back and said that the saddle wasn't bothering her but could the saddle cloth not iratate it?
Presumably your mare is grey? If they are melanomas they will probably need removing. My mare suddenly grew one on her eyelid and it was removed as quickly as possible by Professor Knottenbelt at Leahurst. His advice is to get an affected horse up there as quickly as possible before the melanoma grows and becomes more difficult to remove. Fortunately I had insurance as my mare needed general anaesthetic and a longish stay but if they are easily accessible, melanomas can be removed as a day case not too expensively. Don't ignore them!
She is a grey yes. 11 year old. She didn't have them when I bought her over a year ago. I have heard though that getting them removed doesn't mean they are gone forever, there is a good chance they can grow back.
Melanoma usually form around the head & throat or under the tail. It would be very unusual to find them on the back or leg.
It is a good idea to get a vet opinion on removing any 'lump' whilst it's still small if it's growing in an area where it may cause problems when bigger.
"If an 'alternative treatment' has reliable effect it becomes classified simply as MEDICINE" D.B.
Latest plan with melanomas is to whip them off surgically fairly regularly, with some exceptions. Discussed at length with my vet as he marvelled at the hunters lumps and bumps! Some are very tricky to remove (Gutteral pouch etc) ... and the old saying is that for every one you can see (under the dock, back of an ear etc) there are 5 more internally. Check her lips and cheeks regularly / ask the dentist to keep notes of any in her mouth too. Our old broody Hannah was finally pts aged 32, having had lots of melanomas....... and 18 foals! It's up to you whether to have the surgery really - perhaps a longer chat with the vet is called for?
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq
The growth of melanoma can be slowed or even halted using Cimetidine (not licensed for horses). Not sure what Dr Knotty thinks of this, but it gives you a sense of security over the internal ones!
Tried getting hold of my vet but she's out on calls all day so will try again later. From what I've researched on the net the most common areas are eyes, tail etc but they can and do develop anywhere on the body and they tell you to leave them alone unless causing bother...which I think the one on her back is. The saddle doesn't sit on it but I would think the saddle cloth would annoy it. I'm not riding at the moment anyway as she is still bucking (possible cause of the lump on her back who knows).
Melanoma
Posted - 13 Jun 2011 : 1:22:29 PM
