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Post by sck1 on Mar 5, 2011 6:19:36 GMT -1
Blue has a patch of raised lumps on his chest, they are a bit crusty so I think there might be some oozing.
At first we thought it was rubbing from his rug but this seems to be a bit more.
There was heat in it at the start (10 days ago) and it is a bit tender but otherwise he doesnt seem affected.
I have hibiscrubbed it and put aloe on.
The vet came on Wednesday to look at another horse, she took a 2 minute look at Blue (didn't want to as he wasn't an appointment). Said she thought it was more than dermatitis, said he was grey so it was probably melanoma and I should get him sedated and a biopsy as soon as possible. I want the best treatment for him but sedation has quite a big effect on ponies doesn't it?
Well I have been worrying ever since but does cancer really appear from nothing in 10 days?
Any advice/hand-holding would be gratefully received!
Suzanne
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Post by cadeby on Mar 5, 2011 6:33:10 GMT -1
Melanomas in grey horses usually start under the tail, around the anus or vulva (in mares) not on the chest. Typically, one would appear, then more over a period of time. I think it unlikely that a "patch" would appear in just 10 days, so I would be surprised if Blue has melanoma.
If they are melanomas which have burst the discharge should be black, smelly and viscous. There shouldn't be any heat unless they are infected, in which case the discharge would be pus.
I would book an appointment and get a different vet back to have a proper look. If he/she suggests biopsy they would probably use a standing-sedation which isn't overly dangerous and Blue would recover very quickly.
Good luck x
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Post by valerie n scout on Mar 5, 2011 7:15:34 GMT -1
oh poor soul, I agree with Helen get him looked at quickly x
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Post by jap on Mar 5, 2011 11:10:45 GMT -1
just a thought, if he rubs it could be ring worm, this has crusts that ooze.if it is pick off the loose crusts [the ones that fall away] and treat with hibiscrub.There is a world of difference between this and melanomas though so get a different vet to look.
as helen says standing sedation should be no problem.
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Post by sck1 on Mar 5, 2011 14:47:58 GMT -1
Thank you guys,
I have calmed down a bit as I hibiscrubbed yesterday and then again today and it had gone down. I am going to leave it a couple of days to see if it goes down again and then get a different vet out for the biopsy.
Suzanne
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Post by sck1 on Mar 9, 2011 5:21:24 GMT -1
Just to say that the lumps have gone - I bought a cotton anti rub vest at the weekend and that really seems to have done the trick.
Thanks for the advice, if it comes up again I will definitely get the vet
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Post by valerie n scout on Mar 9, 2011 6:23:13 GMT -1
oh thats good news xxx
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Post by SuzieP on Mar 9, 2011 7:38:10 GMT -1
Oh thank goodness!
It bothers me actually that the vet suggested such a serious diagnosis after a cursory examination. OK, she hadn't been called out to attend Blue, but she needn't have mentioned sarcoids. If she had her suspicions she could have just advised you to treat for two or three days and then book a specific visit if it didn't clear up. Seems to me that she worried you unnecessarily. I don't know why vets sometimes seem to do that!
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Post by Debbie on Mar 9, 2011 10:57:36 GMT -1
Seriously, I feel the same as Sue on this one. From your description, it sounds exactly like the fungal stuff Galahad ended up getting from a horsefly bite. The vets couldn't diagnos it either, although she was brilliant about saying she didn't know.
A long time horsewoman took one glance at his photos and said it was dew poisoning, which goes by ten thousand other names, including rain rot. The hair stands up on end, the area is hot and tender at first, and then the heat goes down a bit but the area becomes very itchy. It does spread because its fungal.
She told me to smother it with vaseline which I did as soon as our temps shifted. I was also careful not to spread it via hands or grooming tools. The vaseline really did work. Took about two weeks to a month for Galahad's to clear up. I can post the photos if you'd like to compare with what Blue has?
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Post by sck1 on Mar 9, 2011 18:20:39 GMT -1
Thanks Debbie,
A photo would be really useful and I will try and post my one so we can compare.
I am very cross at the vet and definitely will not want her again.
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Post by Debbie on Mar 9, 2011 21:39:43 GMT -1
I've sent you a pm as I've spent the last hour and a half realizing the photos were not on his website as I thought. Then I couldn't get the website to let me log on to put the photos up  If you'd like I can email Galahad's two pics to you  |
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