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  Discussion on Can Urinary infection cause vulva ulceration?
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 10, 2002 - 1:29 pm:

Hi Doc...This is the first time for my posting so forgive any mistakes. My 30 year old gray mare has had re-occuring ulcers on her vulva area. I keep them clean and apply topical medication and they usually heal over for a while. My concern is that she may have a cancer which I understand is common to gray horses. My vet said that it was doubtful..considering that they will heal. Lately I have noticed a slight weight loss and have increased her Senior feed somewhat. She eats well and seems to be feeling okay other than tender in the perineal area. This morning I was horrified to find her backside caked with blood..her tail saturated and vulva area swollen and filled with blood. when I pull the bottom area down..I can see a large ulcer that bleeds profusely when I mess with it. When the skin is covering this..it stops bleeding. My vet has been called but he can't get to my house until maybe Monday. He said clean her up..leave it alone so that the blood clots and then use Masengil tomorrow. What would your advise to be me be at this point? Could a urinary tract infection cause this? Or are we looking at cancer here? If it is cancer..is she too old to try and treat it? Thanks...Terrified in Ohio! :( Paulette

Posted on Sunday, Aug 11, 2002 - 11:38 am:

It looks like you have done a fine job posting Paulette.

I presume the veterinarian has done enough questioning to determine the horse has not lost nor likely to lose a critical amount of blood. Given this the advice until he can get there tomorrow seems prudent. I does sound like cancer with squamous cell carcinoma most likely but the vet is right, SCC lesions do not heal.

How long has this been going on and are there no lesions in the mouth or other mucous membranes of the horse?
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Aug 11, 2002 - 1:46 pm:

Thank you, Dr.o for your prompt reply. No more bleeding since yesterday unless I press on the swollen vulva. There are no other lesions in other mucous membranes. The first ulcer area appeared about 6 months ago. With care..the lesion took about a week to heal..but actually ate away at the tissue of the edge of the labia area, leaving it "deformed" looking. She also had a thick yellow-white discharge that almost seemed caustic and would leave her reddened as well. I was also amazed at how quickly that she developed an ulcer. Fine one day..ulcerated the next. I want to give her the best care possible..but I'm unwilling to allow her to suffer, if her time has come.

Posted on Monday, Aug 12, 2002 - 3:23 am:

From the information we have Paulette it is not clear why your horse is doing this but it does not sound like she is suffering at all at this time. A thorough exam looking for reasons why this tissue is not healthy along with impression smears or biopsies of the ulcer, cultures of the purulent material, and palpation/ultrasound of the organs in the pelvis may reveal a cause or determine if this is cancer or a primary infection. Let us know what the veterinarian finds.

Posted on Monday, Aug 12, 2002 - 11:33 am:

Thanks Doc..My vet had an emergency and has postponed his visit until Wednesday. We'll let you know how that goes. Thanks again!

Posted on Thursday, Aug 15, 2002 - 4:43 pm:

Hi DrO...The vet finally made it out today but I must say that I was a little disappointed with his lack of concern. He was here for a total of about 5 minutes and said that she had an infection of some sort. When I asked what was causing it..he replied that he didn't know..but to continue cleaning it with the Masengil, and he gave me antibiotics and said to let him know how she does. I quess I was expecting a culture done or something. I don't even know what the antibiotics are..SM2 #140..is what is written on the bag. My directions were to give 7 tabs..AM and PM. The ulcer has eaten all the way through the perineal tissue. When I use a squirt bottle to cleanse the
perineal folds..it actually drips out a hole in the bottom! Today the fluid had a little pus in it but at the same time..the tissue is showing signs of healing. I don't mean to complain about my vet to another vet..I'm sure that he knows his stuff..and I should have been more outspoken as to what I wanted. But I feel all alone here. She's so important to me and she has given me her all for the 20 years that I have had the pleasure to be her friend. I have half a notion to load her up and take her to the nearest vet school hospital. In this rural area of Ohio..the local vets are unwilling to service horses. Wish I had more information. :( Paulette

Posted on Friday, Aug 16, 2002 - 6:20 am:

I think a second opinion is not a bad idea, this sounds a little aggressive for a shrug and some antibiotics. For more on the drug you were dispensed see, Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals: Antibiotics and Antimicrobials: Trimethoprim -Sulfa.
DrO
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