Sarcoids
Sarcoids are skin tumours that are only found in horses. They are non-malignant but are locally aggressive and their physical presence can cause irritation and problems when flies are attracted the area. There is a suggestion that they are closely related to the bovine papillomavirus. Flies are also implicated in the spread of sarcoids.
Sarcoids can be found anywhere on the body but are commonly found around the eyes, on the head, on the chest, in the groin region, and around the sheath. They can be singular or there can be many sarcoids grouped together. Horses may be affected at multiple sites on the body.
They are different types of sarcoids that have a varied appearance
- Verrucose sarcoids appear as a poorly defined area of warty flaking skin
- Fibroblastic sarcoids are often fleshy, round masses that may be pedunculated
- Occult sarcoids appear as a small circular area of alopecia of grey scaling skin
- Often sarcoids can appear as a mixed group of any of the above
Diagnosis is often on clinical appearance, but can be confirmed by biopsy and histopathology.
Treatment of sarcoids may vary depending on the type, size and location of the mass. Treatments include:
- Application of AW4 cream which is a cytotoxic cream that kills sarcoid tissue. Treatment usually involves up to four or five applications spread over two weeks. It may take a couple of months before it can be decided whether the treatment has been successful and sometimes a second course of treatment may be necessary.
- Surgical removal of sarcoids brings an almost immediate resolution, however recurrence of the sarcoids is not uncommon.
- BCG injection into the sarcoid is a treatment that is often used for sarcoids that are found around the eye.
- Radiotherapy is a very successful treatment for sarcoids but can be very expensive.
Sarcoids can cause serious irritation to the horse and can require prolonged veterinary therapy that can become expensive. Therefore you should think very carefully before buying a horse that has sarcoids.
