LUMPS AND BUMPS
Goiter
This is an enlarged thyroid gland. Goiters are golf ball sized and located on the side of the throat. It is an incidental finding seen when the horse bends his neck to the side. Goiters are frequently found in older horses, 16 years and over. It is a benign thyroid adenoma, does not cause disease, and no treatment is necessary. Goiters are not caused by a dietary lack of iodine as in humans. Thyroid disease is rare in horses. Sometimes we check the thyroid levels in horses when we run tests for Cushings disease or equine metabolic syndrome and treat accordingly.
Melonoma
A very common skin tumor in gray horses. 80% of gray horses will develop melanomas by their teens. Melanoma is very serious in humans, but in horses it is benign and slow growing. They can be found under the tail, around the anus, on the vulva or sheath, and under the skin in the throatlatch area. Most of the time we monitor the melanoma tumors. Treatment is dependent on the location and size of the tumor. Surgical removal or injection of an immune stimulant sanguinaria blood root extract are options. Electro pulsation with chemotherapy is another treatment. Cimetidine is used to prevent reoccurrence. A vaccine to prevent further growth has had some success.
Sarcoid
This is the most common type of skin tumor in horses that affects 2% of horses worldwide. The tumors are more prone to occur on the head especially on the ears, around the eye, on the mouth. They are also found on the neck, chest, abdomen and inside hind leg. Sarcoids can also occur at the site of a wound and can be confused with proud flesh or excess granulation tissue. The skin tumor starts out as a flat gray area on the skin with no hair and may have little wartlike nodules in it. It can also be a raw bleeding nodule. Sarcoids are caused by a papilloma virus and can be transmitted by biting flies. There is also a genetic component to it where some horses (like Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods) are more susceptible. If you find the flat sarcoid on the skin, bring it to the vet for a diagnosis. Treating a Sarcoid with the wrong medications, especially iodine or fungus products, can aggravate it and cause it to grow. It is best not to “anger” it by performing a biopsy. A flat sarcoid can stay quiet for years.
There are many treatment options and often it is difficult to cure. Treatments include surgical removal, laser, freezing with liquid nitrogen, chemotherapy injections or electro chemotherapy (which combines a chemotherapy injection and electric pulses into the tumor), topical ointments (such as Xterra bloodroot) and immune stimulant vaccine series. Treatment is more successful in the early stages.
INSECT ALLERGY REMINDER
Insect bite hypersensitivity allergy has started with the warm weather and emergence of flies, gnats, and no- see- em insects. The allergic horse reacts to the allergy gnat saliva proteins that cause profound itching and will soon be rubbing out their manes and tails. Horses that rub their chest and shoulders may have a gnat or fly allergy. Prevention of insect bites is of the most importance. Fly sprays with pyrethrin don’t work well on gnats. Deep Woods Off spray (with 40% DEET), Skin so Soft diluted (1/3 SSS to 2/3 water), or Bye Bye Insects fly spray work well for gnats. Some natural fly sprays have been found to be effective. For the belly IBH Salve provides relief where flies gather and can cause raw sores. Fly sheets are very beneficial if your horse will wear one. Our clients have reported good results using Nutriflax or Equine Omega Complete Oil in the feed to help with the allergies. Dr Hayes may dispense Hydroxyzine anti itch medicine or give monthly cortisone shots to your horse but the prevention of the insect bites is critical.
EPM
Merck is doing research on giving their EPM product Protazil once weekly as a preventative for EPM.
Castration signs: June 8-13. This will be your last chance to castrate with the signs until Sept 25 due to summer heat.
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