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Discussion on Question - re: Melanomas
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New Member:
casper02
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Posted on Monday, May 14, 2007 - 11:40 am:
Hi Guys,
My horse (11 year old grey TB) has a fairly large Melanoma on the right side of his neck (about 2"x 2") which is growing rapidly. Now that the bugs are out, they seem to think it's rather tasty! My question is, how would you handle this? We have tried to put SWAT on it, creams on it, fly spray etc.. to keep the flies off but nothing seems to work. He comes in bleeding (with pus) most days and he's not a big fan of anyone touching it or cleaning it up. I'm debating whether or not to take him to the vet hospital to get it removed but I know this method is usually unsuccessful and they come back with a vengeance. I've also heard of cisplatin but I'm not sure of this method either. Not only that from what my vet has told me, it seems to have deep roots and would leave a fairly large scar/hole on his neck and he's not sure if there would be enough skin to close the wound. I'm also concerned because this horse fractured his upper jaw 1 year ago and after 5 surgeries, drains etc.. he is left with a chronic Pseudomonas infection and I don't know how this would affect healing.
Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thanks
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 9:15 am:
Hello Sarah,
For more on fly control see Horse Care » Routine Horse Care » Controlling Houseflies and Biting Flies. There are other recommendations for treatment of melanomas in the article but as to evaluating the surgical prospects that really requires examination. If you would like to have surgery done and the current vet is kind of iffy about it consider a referral to a equine soft tissue surgeon for a second opinion.
DrO
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