So I just found out that Mystic has Sarcoids. Here's the kicker ... it's on the left side of her barrel, on her ribs ... around mid point. It sits just out of the way of the girth and it hasn't gotten any better or worse in the last few months ... but she has Sarcoids according to my vet.
The location seems rather odd whereas I thought sarcoids mostly occured on fleshy areas like the face and groin areas, not on the side of a horse.
A biopsy was NOT done at the time but I do have my vet coming back on the 13th for a teeth floating (she didn't get hers done yet, there was a lot of last minute fall vaccinations so floating was rescheduled).
Vet also said that if it doesn't get any worse and isn't interfering with tack we should just ignore it. Is this true? Should I just ignore it? It doesn't bug her when grooming or riding ... it's just there.
So, should I go with what my vet says or do I consider doing something to fix this? Could this be something other than sarcoids?
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Any questions, please ask.
I have to disagree somewhat with other answers. Sarcoids may be caused by a papillomavirus, but they don't behave like warts, and while they are not classified as cancers, they can behave like cancers, enlarging and spreading out of control. There are, I believe, six distinct types of sarcoid, and the characteristics differ. No single treatment has proven effective for all sarcoids. In fact, a treatment may work for one sarcoid and not for another one of the same type in the same horse. Sarcoids are often not biopsied because of the risk that removing tissue for the biopsy will cause the sarcoid to spread. In fact, using any kind of treatment on one may backfire and instead of eradicating it, may cause it to grossly enlarge or begin spreading.
Just leaving it alone is one option, and if it is not enlarging or spreading, it may be the best option.
If you question your vet's diagnosis, or treatment plan, then it's always wise to have a second opinion. I'd find an equine specialist vet with experience in treating sarcoids to evaluate it.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Add .... Here is an article on sarcoids you may want to read.
http://equineenews.osu.edu/documents/Equ ... Here is another good one. Refer to the subject box on the left to prompt to each category of information ........................
http://www.liv.ac.uk/sarcoids/introducti ...
I don't know a ton about sarcoids, but my sister's lease/school pony has one on his belly, a little further back than you described. She has a special first-aid kid that she has to take to shows in case it starts bleeding.
I don't think "ignore" is the right word, but unless the vet says its serious and something has to be done, it should be just fine.
Equine sarcoids and other benign surface tumors such as warts and papillomas are caused by viral infection and are not malignant as in horse cancer. Sarcoids are the most common growths in horses.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I have used therapeutic grade essential oils and they can help especially when they are recognized and treated as soon as possible. The link below gives you some suggestions on what oils to use and how to use them.
My sister's gelding has had a couple of sarcoids and they were treated while really small with Liverpool cream - it was developed at Liverpool university in England and is basically a chemotherapy cream. It's applied several times over a week or two and the sarcoid goes black and falls off. Something like this is the best treatment option - surgery has a habit of making them come back much more aggressively but having seen what untreated sarcoids can end up like I would always treat as soon as possible.
Assuming it's a sarcoid, it's not going to hurt her. It'll just look ugly. The only place I've ever seen them IRL is in the ears, but I suppose they could happen anywhere.
From what I've heard, a lot of them just grow back if you have them removed.
Sarcoids can occur anywhere on the horse's body, there's no real set location.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Sarcoids are generally harmless, they're like warts on us - not pretty but not really a problem. The main issue with sarcoids occurs if they get under where tack is supposed to go, then they can rub and become really sore. They're also not good for a showing horse as they will get marked down.
There is also an issue of once a horse gets one sarcoids, they're very likely to get more at some point in their life.
It is your decision whether to get the sarcoid removed or not, however the treatment is often expensive and especially with the creams there is no absolute guarantee they will get rid of the sarcoid. You can also get the sarcoid lanced, which will often lead to scarring.
If it is not upsetting your horse, and you don't want to show - they I see no real issue with it staying, but if it is really bothering you then have a word with the vet about removal.
