Grass warts on 12yr old horse

[augermoon]

Hello all,

Not posted on here for a long while although have been hovering in the background. But wanted to run this past everyone.

My horse developed grass warts about 5 months ago, starting with one large one on his muzzle. This dropped off after about 2 months but then he grew another in a different place. He now has 60 or so all over his muzzle. Have had the vet out twice, once early on and once again this week. They have been diagnosed as equine viral papilloma or grass warts although both vets said they have never seen them before in a horse of Arnie's age. Have been advised to leave them and that they'll drop off eventually. The big one actually came off this week so I'm hoping the others will follow. Just a shame as quite fancied getting into a bit more showing this summer.

Having researched this, it does seem that they normally only occur in youngsters. Does anyone else have experience of seeing it in older horses? And any ideas on cures? Have so far been advised to use nail varnish or the water from a farrier's forge - both are sworn to me to be miracle cures!!! :eek:

[Wally]

Never seen them in older horses.

All our babies looked a bit like plauge victims last autumn. It's awful to look at. But they all dropped off and there is no sign now. All nice clean fuzzy noses.

[domane]

Please explain "grass warts" to me? :confused:

Ludo (12m approx) has had a few on his chin for a couple of weeks but they have now dropped off (scared the life out of me - I immediately thought "sarcoids!!!" ).... I have never heard of "grass warts" - are these some phenomenon in youngsters???

[augermoon]

Wally, you've never seem them either - damn. Do you mind me asking how long they lasted on your little chaps?

Domane, have a look here. Grass warts is the 'common' term, as far as I understand it. Will try and take a pic of Arnie's ones tonight.

http://www.horse-previews.com/1001articles/vetcorner1001.html

[NoviceNic]

My sisters pony 4yo had a huge one on his chest. Took months to fall off. Flies and the companions were a nuisance and kept biting it off....

[augermoon]

Just heard back from the vet. She emailed Dr Knottenbelt at Liverpool Uni as she was so surprised to see them in an older horse. He confirmed that it does happen although its not at all common. He has asked to see some photos of them because, apparently in horses of his age, it is not definite that they will fall off on their own. He will have a look at the pics (for no charge) and then let my vet know whether there is anything on the market that may help. So am quite pleased although was rather hoping that I'd just be able to leave them alone.

[capalldubh]

then let my vet know whether there is anything on the market that may help. So am quite pleased although was rather hoping that I'd just be able to leave them alone.
Would be interested to hear what you find out. Jackson's little friend has them at the moment (4 yo) and given how much time they spend nose to nose, I would expect Jackson (just 5) to be developing a little crop shortly...

[Palomino Mare]

hi, jerry had them, last year.

i bought Wartner from boots. its on the adverts on tv and freezes the warts off. its liquid nitrogen based so make sure you only ever put it on once!!

the warts will get angry after applying the wartner but according to the vet they look worse as they get better. they should drop off no longer than a month with that stuff.

amz x

[augermoon]

Here's a pic - not very nice. Am waiting for comments from Dr Knottenbelt.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/augermoonarnie/IMGP1945.jpg

[artemis]

I have heard that zinc & castor oil cream works - cuts off oxygen supply.

[angelfben]

I wonder if Sudocrem would help then? As that has Zinc in it? :confused:

[Sooty]

I strongly suspect Sudocrem IS zinc and castor oil cream ....

[artemis]

Probably - just more expensive!

[augermoon]

Dr Knottenbelt has prescribed Silver Nitrate which is applied using a pen-type thing. Am picking them up tomorrow as am being trusted to apply it myself - thankfully as saves several callout fees. So watch this space. :)

[augermoon]

Quick update incase anyone finds themselves in a similar situation.

Woohoo, warts are on their way and not soon enough. In fact looking at the piccy above makes me realise just how many have gone now. Everything around his mouth has healed with no trace. He still has 10 or so small ones under his chin and a few stubborn ones on his lower muzzle.

Have been using the silver nitrate as recommended although they seemed to start impromtu healing even before using it. I went down last Saturday and they were just all dried up. Took the risk of pulling a few off and it worked, seeming to trigger the rest to heal. Am using the silver nitrate on the bigger ones that are left and they're going too. Am chuffed to bit as, like Wally, have finally got my handsome fuzzy-nosed Arnie back.

But what's amazed me was the speed that they went. From over 70 to less than 10 in one week. Incredible!!

[Chip]

This is very interesting because I bought another donkey on Friday and her muzzle/mouth is covered in tiny lumps. the vet this morning diagnosed it as grass warts. he advised to apply Vaseline every so often, said they would get bigger then fall off. My new donkey is 6 years old.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/pidgeypony/ellynosey.jpg

[Purdyhorse]

I know your post was ages ago but thought you might like to know that my 9 y.o. mare developed grass warts on her nuzzle for the first time two weeks ago.
The vet says don't worry about them and does not propose to treat them.
How long did they take to disappear from your horse?

[augermoon]

Hello,

it took a long time, almost 6 months, but the good news is that they disappeared without a trace and have never returned. Hope you find the same.