This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Bumps / Nodules / Warts / Tumors » Melanomas »
  Discussion on Melanoma- back pain
Author Message
Member:
fpony

Posted on Saturday, Aug 11, 2007 - 9:09 am:

Hi Dr.O,
My pony, Foxy, who is a 13 3 gray welsh,now 24, IR and possibly pre cushings (has had elevated ACTH in the past but usually only in the fall when ACTH can be elevated but his gets pretty high-in the 90's. Normal high is 35.
He has had tumors since about 14 years old and have seemed to be in control Cemidine (sp) 1000mg 3 times a day. The past two to three years they have been increasing in numbers and size this winter they really took off. He has been rubbing his rump very aggressively most on the right side to the point of wearing off the hair ( This coincided with the growth of 3 large tumors 2 1/2 in diameters in side his sheath. The tumors under his dock (he has many in his anus-there are pictures of them somewhere on HA) are also multipling in the last 3 months and his rubbing as become directed to his tail.

Ok the reason for posting, he is my therapy pony and i use him for "hippo therapy" . He loves his job and the children are no more than 50 lbs mostly on a bareback pad- using his walk gait only. He has had three separate incidences over a 3 month period where he all of a sudden with no warning acts like he has been goosed and jumps ahead about 4 feet. The last episode we were more aware of the possibility so he didn't bolt forward but tucked under and I could see all the spasm that was coming from his loin across his rump (the gluteal tongue and muscle). there was nothing wrong before the session as i groomed him and checked his back and muscles.

I worked on his soft tissue after to calm it down and had the vet out and his spine looks great and is still very flexible. His pelvis is level and he has nice topline for his age and his weight is ideal. Can this intermittent pain be caused by a tumor that is impinging nervous tissue? The only common factor in all three event was the fact we had been going through the weaving poles. Also he is very nervous and jumpy after the incidents a behavior I had noticed on occasion in his paddock and stall not related to these incidents. I thought perhaps his hearing was an issue (vet ruled it put) as he also has only one good eye.

I have retired him on that last day of mishap as I can't take any risks with the children-but by no means does he appear emotionally or physically to need retirement.

I'm hoping you can tell me it might be something else that we can fix- as he is wonderful at his job and i think he will become depressed without work. Kim
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Aug 13, 2007 - 7:20 am:

Hello Kim,
Discuss with your veterinarian the possibility of using cisplatin therapy for your pony, in a recent study it was more efficacious than had previously been thought for melanomas. It may require referral and will not be inexpensive. For more on this see, Treatments and Medications for Horses » Miscellaneous Drugs » Cisplatin.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC