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  Discussion on Changes in sarcoid
Author Message
Member:
Damfarm

Posted on Thursday, Jul 24, 2003 - 1:45 pm:

Hi Janet - I am curious at to how you decided to treat this and what your results were. My QH has what appears to be a sarcoid in his ear. It started as very small white colored skin lesions and has grown to about the size of a dime and if very round and nodular. My vet is coming next week and may excise it, but now I am alarmed that it will only grow back bigger.

Thanks,
Dana
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Thursday, Jul 24, 2003 - 8:55 pm:

Dana - I researched many options and the local vets seemed to want to do Regressen - which would entail injecting the sites once every 3-4 weeks for about 3-4 weeks at a cost of approx 300.00 per time. So I was looking at around 1200.00. I found a website from Austrailia that had a herbal remedy that needed to be put into the feed and applied daily for the first 2 weeks twice a day and then just in the feed twice a day - to program was to last 14 weeks. So the time frame was the same and the cost for the herbs was around 450.00 cdn. Sparky was barely green broke at the time so I decided to put him at an indoor arena for the 14 weeks so we could give him the herbs and I could ride him and continue his training. I figured I would have a horse I could ride at the end of it - either with or without sarcoids. This was in January - the herbs tried to do something - the first sarcoid in his ear seemed to peel and shrink a bit but the lower one got agressive and grew. About 9 weeks into the program I asked the herbalist about the progress and they wanted me to send a hair sample - cots 125.00 and they may want to change the program. I did some research into hair sampling and decided just to finish the program as it was. At week 12 Sparky unfortunately got kicked in the hind splint bone and shattered it. The vet I use for legs said we could fix it for about 3000.00- 4000.00 dollars. We decided to go ahead and try. I had to bring Sparky home after the first visit as they could not operate for a few days and did not have room for him at the clinic. I brought him home and the next morning the vet phoned and said that he forgot that there was a demo lazer coming from the states the next day and he would remove the sarcoids for free if he could use him as a demo horse. Hard decision eh! They ended up removing 11 from inside his ear - including the one on the outside edge. Also one small pea size one on his sheath. We forgot about a small one on the inside of his hairy other ear! They healed really well and the one on the other ear dissapeared. To this day knock wood - they are in remission. I will always be on the look out. I did purchase the H202 in case something started to grow again as it seems to be the cheapest and works on some horses. I am on a yahoo group called equine_sarcoid and they have been a great group for information and support. There are a full set of pictures posted under the photo album on the yahoo group. Sparky's sarcoids were removed June 6, 2002. Some say you need to remove it and have it tested to know that you are dealing with a true sarcoid. Others recommend not to as it may make it grow faster. It really is a crap shoot! Because there is no true cure that works on all horses I would tend to not remove it until you are prepared to get agressive with treatment. Another cheap one that works on some is the plain Crest toothpaste available in the US and Canada - not available in the UK. Hope this helps and keep in touch and GOOD LUCK!!
Janet
Member:
Dres

Posted on Friday, Jul 25, 2003 - 10:00 am:

we have been treating a friends horse's sarcoids in both ears now for 9 months, using laser... it seems to be working but after a few weeks will see another spot that needs a zap! before lazer she had to have a portion of her ears cut off.. now she has these cute little pointed dog type ears.... that did not get it all so now the lazer... that seems to be working some...

good luck...Ann
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Friday, Jul 25, 2003 - 12:16 pm:

Dana - there was an interesting link posted on the yahoo equine_sarcoid group this morning - it shows great pictures - they used wheatgrass spray - Dr. O have you ever had any experience with wheatgrass spray?
Here is the link https://www.wheatgrassprofessional.info/equine_sarcoid.htm
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Friday, Jul 25, 2003 - 1:28 pm:

To clarfiy one thing - on the other discussion about the wheat grass - the owner used Cansema first on the sarcoid and used the wheatgrass after that on the wound left.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2003 - 9:04 am:

No I have not and neither can I find any references to either of the names you give.
DrO
Member:
Damfarm

Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2003 - 1:36 pm:

My vet appointment had to be cancelled and I started using Crest toothpaste (actually the gel with whitener) two weeks ago and it is definitely getting smaller. It gets a bit messy and bloody some days, but is becoming flatter each day. I've been applying twice a day and cleaning the ear with diluted betadine once a day. I'll keep you posted on the progress.
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2003 - 1:43 pm:

Would the crest work with sarcoids (we think) under the tail and not cause any pain?? I have a horse in my barn that has LOTS of them under his tail.

Member:
Damfarm

Posted on Monday, Oct 27, 2003 - 10:44 pm:

Update - the sarcoid in my horses ear, while smaller, is still there. My vet is recommending treatment with 5-Flurouracil which is an anti-cancer compound that was in your article. Tufts University has apparently had good luck with this treatment. I am waiting for further information on cost and whether I will have to ship my horse to Tufts for treatment or if they will let my local vet have the compound. Will keep you posted on any results. If anyone has experience with this treatment let me know.
Thanks
Member:
Nathalie

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 28, 2003 - 12:59 am:

I have used tea tree oil (or the lotion) to treat sarcoids, not always with succes The smaller ones seem to respond better and quicker and easier)but maybe it is worth a try?
~Nathalie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 28, 2003 - 5:34 pm:

Thanks for the update Dana.
DrO
Member:
Damfarm

Posted on Thursday, Mar 24, 2005 - 3:24 pm:

Update: I never did treat my horses sarcoid. I left it alone and it has shrunk to just under the size of an eraser head and has also flattened out. Guess I just got lucky.
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 3:42 pm:

Update - Sparky is still sarcoid free. His were removed June 2002. Still knocking on wood.
Janet
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