Help! Does this sound like a Sarcoid?

[claireh]

Sorry folks, this is quite a long post, but please read it because I really need some of your invaluable advice and oppinions!

I was horrified today to notice that the thing that I thought (and had been told by dealer and Vet) was a wart on Pageant has just about doubled in size and gone crusty on the top! Its on his um.. armpit for want of a more technical term- where his fore leg meets his chest, at the front and not as far as I can tell causing him any discomfort. He is quite happy for me to touch it and I can feel "underneath" it if you know what I mean, so Im pretty sure it is a skin problem rather than anything deeper like a tunour growing out.

When I bought him in August 2000, it looked like a little pink scar smaller than a 5 pence piece and flat to the skin-I questioned it with the dealer and he assured me it was a wart and said that it may grow back but wasnt a problem- two more experienced horsey folk looked at it and agreed with him. When he saw the vet soon afterwards, the vet also said it looked like a wart.

It did grow back, but just looked like a regular wart- now however it looks horrible- its about 2cmx2cmx2cm- sticking out from the skin and as I said it has gone crusty on top with pink skin showing underneath- it almost looks like it is about to shed a layer. It is growing out from the same small area I described earlier- the "base" hasnt grown.

Does anyone have any ideas what it might be?! Could it be a wart? I have a horrible feeling its going to be a sarcoid!

It still doesnt seem to be bothering him, and the vet is coming out at the end of the month to see another horse at our yard so could look at it at the same time- do you good people think he needs to see the vet sooner? Obviously if I can avoid a call out fee it would be good- but not if it is likely to be better for him to be seen straight away.

Thankyou in advance of your responses!

Claire

[intouch]

Sounds like it might be what's known as a "rasberry" sarcoid, though they usually get worse when exposed to sunlight and there hasn't been too much of that lately! If it isn't bothering him, it could wait till the vet's visit, he may be able to offer you some treatment. Our pony had a nasty one of these just above her eye, our vet got something experimental from the Edinburgh vet school, I think, and it cleared it, about five years ago.

[Graymalkin]

Unfortunately, it does sound like a sarcoid. Had there been an attempt to remove it before? Was that why it was flat when you got the horse? If it's growing, you definitely need the vet to look at it, but I'm sure it'll keep till the end of the month - only a couple of weeks, after all.
The big problems with sarcoids are really when they either get rubbed and infected, or interfere with the girth or horse's movement in some way. But it's not the end of the world if your horse has one - there are a lot of success stories these days in removing them, either by conventional or alternative medicine. And it may just be cosmetic, in which case there's no great worry - my gelding has one on his sheath.

[claireh]

Thankyou both for your prompt responses! I think I'll wait till the end of the month to get it looked at- especially as you have both reinforced what others have said.

I think perhaps it- whatever it is- was removed not long before I bought him- I didnt get him vetted as such as he was a bit of a rescue case so when the vet checked him over after I'd got him home it may have been fairly recently removed- I hate to think how but I doubt that a vet got within a mile of him.

It certainly hasnt seen much sun- but I wonder if his rug has been interfering with it, that may explain the changes in it.

Has anyone had any success with natural treatments for sarcoids? If the vet confirms that it is a Sarcoid I'd like to try natural remedies first, especially as it seems to bother me more than it bothers him!! Someone suggested tea-tree oil but my own experience of neat tea-tree oil is that is burns my skin- would it do the same to a horse?

As ever, any and all suggestions greatfully recieved!

Claire

[Sonia]

I bought my horse knowing she had a sarcoid - about 5 months ago - it hasn't altered in shape/size and maybe is a bit smaller. Here's what I know - the insurers won't insure skin tumours/further sarcoids as it was declared on her vetting certificate, the vet said it would be unlucky if it spread. Your horses sounds as though it's in the same position as Ellies - the "axilla" I believe it's called.

They are more prone to recurrance with a vengence if removed, but don't often spread - however once a horse has had a sarcoid there may be a predisposition to them getting others in future. Causes aren't really know - theories are - viral infection, result of some trauma (mental or physical)

Fingers crossed

Sonia

[Pam F]

Hi! I've just read the threads on sarcoids so I thought I'd tell you about my experience with my cob. He developed a small sarcoid between his hind legs about 8 years ago. It gradually grew insize but did not bother him atall. I decided to try homeopathy and a vet prescribed Thuja - I cat't remember the concentration. Amazingly after 5 or 6 days the sarcoid suddenly halved in size, it had not burst or anything like that, just got smaller. I was told to stop the treatment and let his body take over the healing. Unfortunately over the next few months it gradually got bigger again and began to ulcerate. Before I could get the vet out, while I was grooming him he suddenly lifted a hind leg, stuck his head between his legs and nipped the sarcoid. Sounds horrible but the whole thing with an enormous root shot out onto the floor. There was hardly any bleeding and you could barley see a mark on the skin where it had been. He was free of sarcoids for 6 years but now has another small one again. I will try homeopathy again before more invasive treatment.

[claireh]

Hi Sonia & Pam! (and anyone else reading!)

Thankyou both for your replies- you have put my mind at rest somewhat! Round here the mere mention of sarcoids is enough to entice much teeth sucking and general disparaging and discouraging soumds! Anyone would think they were the end of the world! Its good to get some much less drastic reactions!
Thuja sounds good- Ill ask the vet about it when he finally gets round to coming out to our lot!

Meanwhile, anyone got anything to add? Its always handy to have a couple of ideas up your sleeve, I think!!

Thanks again folks!

Claire

[Merlyn]

I treated my mares sarcoids with thuja tablets from boots (the chemist), it took 2 months for them to go but they never returned again. Even though she was on the thuja for 2 months it only cost about £4 in total!

[Sonia]

Merlyn
What concentration Thuja did you use and how often?

Althpugh Ellie's sarcoid isn't causing a problem, I'd like to get rid of it if possible...
Thanks
Sonia

[Merlyn]

I can't remember what concentration the thuja was - it was boots own brand and I think they only do that in one strentgh. I gave three tablets twice a day - my horse would eat them out of my hand together with a polo.

[Pam F]

Just a note about giving homeopathic tratments to horses. Mint is supposed to be an antidote to most treatments and so I wouldn't give the tablets to your horse with a polo mint but perhaps polos don't contain real peppermint? Also you shouldn't touch the tablets with your hand it you can help it as this can also stop it working. I have been told to put the tablets in water if you know your horse will drink it all, or put it carefully on a piece of apple. I used the apple system for the thuja but have also used the water system for a horse with midge bite allergy using a different homeopathic remedy.

[claireh]

You lot are great! Thankyou all so much for your replies!

The vet came out on Monday whilst I was at work, Typical! My friend got him to look at Pageant, and he said he thinks its a wart not a sarcoid, but frankly im not convinced!

Ive got some Thuja from Boots- its indicated for verruccas and warts in humans, so I guess wether Padge's 'thing' is a wart or a sarcoid, it may do the trick! Going to try it anyway as I figure it cant do any harm!

Thanks Pam & Merlin for tips on dosage and how to get it in with out touching the tablets! I too have been told not to touch them as it affects their effectiveness.

Once again thankyou all for your replies, Ill let you know how we get on...!

Best Wishes,
Claire

[claireh]

Hello Folks!

Quick update on Padge's "thing"!

I've been giving him Thuja for nearly two weeks now and although his "thing" hasn't shrunk, it hasnt grown either.

However, it has changed- It looks crustier than it was and almost looks like it is breaking away from the base- as if if someone gave it a little tug it would peel off like a scab-not that I plan to try it!

The main change is that it has sprouted hair! I dont know what to think about this, but someone said only healthy skin grows hair so maybe its and indication that it is getting better- Anyone got any thoughts on this?

As ever, all feedback greatfully recieved!

Cheers!
Claire

[Merlyn]

My horses sarcoid changed texture when I gave her thuja - it became crustier and sort of flaked off to reveal healthy skin, which then grew hair.

[sallym]

Hi Claire

Please read my post under email friends to (hopefully) explain my delay in not getting back to a fellow Somerset girl! Best regards and I'll be in touch soon.

Sally