Equine Sarcoids
May 20th, 2009
Geoff Tucker DVM @EquinePractice
updated 5/29/09
Sarcoid Treatment
Recently on Twitter, @KarenMcLain asked if there was anything “new” regarding treatment of equine sarcoids.
Knowing that I had a wonderful equine vet right at my fingertips, I typed on over to @EquinePractice and asked for his opinion. He graciously allowed me to print it here.
- Nothing has changed in the sarcoid world.
- Do not touch or massage it cause it will spread.
- Size matters – the smaller the easier to remove.
- X-Terra is an ointment that seems to work.
- Injection of BCG always worked for me.
- I asked clients to sign a statement that said that nothing would happen for 5 months after the injection, then an enormous battle will occur, and by 6 months the tumor will slough off.
Additional comments from Dr. Tucker:
I think the X-Terra cream really works on a good number of them.
They will return especially if treating an established tumor.
Thank you, Dr. Tucker for taking the time to answer this question.
More about Equine Sarcoids:
- What are sarcoids?
Learn about the six different presentations of this skin tumor, some are quite dramatic.
From LocalRiding.com - What causes sarcoids?
From LocalRiding.com
Photo: Adobe’s sarcoid. Gray area, and small bumps. Click to open larger view in new window. Thanks to @KarenMcLain for the use of Adobe’s photo.
About Geoff Tucker DVM
Learn more about Dr. Tucker and his equine dentistry practice here.
- Twitter: @EquinePractice
- Web Site: Equine Dentistry Without Drama™
- Our interactive interview on my About.com Veterinary Medicine site:
Veterinary Careers – Interview with Geoff Tucker DVM
Posted in 3 Responses to “Equine Sarcoids”
This is my "vet lite" site for fun stuff and vet info. To find additional veterinary topics, try searching at my About.com site (box at upper right) or contacting me to suggest topics. Thanks!
I have been writing about pets and veterinary medicine on the Veterinary Medicine site at About.com since 1999.
You can read my full bio here and follow me on Twitter and find me on Facebook.
I also blog at Vet Med Connect at K9Cuisine.
Thanks so much! The injection is the course of TX we settled on. Adobe got the first one this week, and will get one a week for another 5 weeks or so. He had a sarcoid removed from his abdomen area over a year ago, it has not returned. Then he had one on his nose, (I tried the x-Terra on it, but he resisted so dramatically, it was too much). That spot turned into cancer. (squamous cell carcinoma) We de-bulked the area and gave him a shot of Cysplatin. They tested the margins, which came back clean, and it has remained clear. This area of interst now is between his eye and bridle path. Since this is the least envasive TX, we will try it and wait the few months to see how it reacts. Thank you for the information. There is so much unknown about sarcoids, I am always eager to learn.
Beautiful paintings on your blog, Karen. Thanks for the comment.
FYI here is Karen’s blog – nice!
Karen McLain Studio
Thanks for visiting my site, I am glad you like my work. Adobe is my favorite trail horse, and he is featured in one of the older posts. “Adobe in the green fly mask”. After he healed up from the surgery/chemo, he got an eye infection. So, I hung out with him and painted him from life. I do love the horses, and appreciate this opportunity to talk about their health.