Cancer???

[CD2387]

I need some help with this one.
In the past 2-3 weeks, white spots have been appearing on my 7 yo mare. She's a liver chestnut but under the white spots her skin is pink too. She currently has about 10 spots on the front half of her body (neck, shoulder, foreleg). I asked my friend about them today and she told me that one of the geldings has spots that are identical to Cinnamon's and he was diagnosed with cancer. I was told that cancer can cause discoloration/depigmentation in the skin and coat. I have not found any obvious lumps on Cinn.
She's also had a lot more dandruff in the last few weeks...I have no idea if it's related at all.
She's also been acting "funny". I don't really know how to explain it, she just doesn't seem quite like herself.
Let me know what you all think. Thanks.

[artemis]

Could you show us a picture?
Could it be ringworm?

[Greentchr]

If your friend is talking about melanoma- skin cancer- it does not sound like it. Melanoma is the most common tumor in horses. Melanomas usually show up first on the underside of the tail area or in the inside lip area (though I have one that had them on her her neck and udder). They are grey or black lumps (melan means black, oma means cancer), never pink or white. Carcinomas look like a wart or an infected sore, and it does not sound like that either.

You might try taking a photo of it and showing your vet. With that many spots, it sounds like something contagious and spreading. I would check it out ASAP.

[Styric]

Are they spots of white hair, or bald spots?

[Jessey]

My friends mare is 8, over the last year she has got some white spots (her skin is black but has gone pink) around her eyes and nose, she also has spots over her body but we're not sure when they appeared or if they were always there. Vet said they are nothing to worry about, she just lost the skin pigment for some reason, might be worth mentioning to your vet next time you see him.

[nutkin]

if they are just white patches of hair appearing in different places they could be vitilligo(sp). I believe Arabmare's ex pony Prince suffered with this. I'm sure she could show you a pic for you to compare with your horse.

[Mehitabel]

there are an awful lot of reasons for white hair and skin complaints like dandruff - cancer would be the most severe, but there are plenty of other things it could be. have a vet out, mention your concerns, but don't jump to conclusions.

[CD2387]

She's had a lot of dandruff lately too. I'll mention it to the vet next time i see him.
other than the spots, cinn seems normal
thanks,
Lauren