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 sarcoids
Equine Sarcoids are the most common skin tumours affecting the horse. They are a form of skin cancer and there is intense research into the cause (aetiology) and treatment of sarcoids. Sarcoids only affect horses and their kin including donkeys and mules. They can affect horses of any age but young horses appear predisposed. Cause Current opinion regarding the aetiology of sarcoids establishes a link between biting flies and sarcoids. Flies are thought to inject an oncogene into the skin and this oncogene stimulates the development of a cancerous mass i.e. a sarcoid. An oncogene consists of genetic material (for example DNA) that carries the ability to induce cancer. The oncogene that causes sarcoids is thought to have originated from a virus that stimulates the development of warts in cattle – the bovine papilloma virus. Treatment Some sarcoids may remain dormant for the entire life of the horse therefore not requiring treatment; in rare cases a sarcoid will disappear entirely without treatment. However, sarcoids are very unpredictable in their nature and a small innocuous looking lesion sometimes rapidly develops into many large lesions in a short period of time.
Treatment options include: application (by a veterinary surgeon) of cytotoxic cream, ie “Liverpool cream” or AW4-LUDES, injection of other cytotoxic drugs such as Cisplatin, injection of Interferon, cryosurgery, surgical removal, injection of BCG (a vaccine usually used to immunise humans against TB) injection, and radiation therapy. In most cases, if it is decided that the sarcoid requires treatment, photographs are taken and sent to Professor Knottenbelt MRCVS at Liverpool University. He will advise which treatment most likely to be effective and supply "Liverpool cream" at the best strength if appropriate. Professor Knottenbelt has demonstrated that after each unsuccessful treatment tried on a sarcoid the chances of a complete cure are reduced by 25%. In other words you have approximately 5 attempts at treating a lesion before any further treatment will be useless. Treatment of a lesion includes all the above and alternative treatments such as homeopathy, “camrosa”, Tea tree oil etc. We strongly advise that no sarcoid is treated without first consulting one of the vets. It is very useful if a photograph (in good light and in focus!) can be taken and either sent or e-mailed to the office. DISCLAIMER: This advice is intended for use by registered clients of Priors Farm only. The advice offered is general advice only. Priors Farm clients who wish to discuss the individual circumstances of their horse should contact the office. To speak to a vet please phone between 8.30 - 10.00 am on weekday mornings. |
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