We recently biopsied a growth on my horse's eye, and got SCC as a result. Right now it is considered a stage one cancer and not growing. The vet said that we caught it early enough as well because it is not in the eye, just on it. It is on the white part and on to the cornea (or schlera, if horse eyes have it) about 4 mm.
Has anyone dealt with this? Treatment options (for on the eye) and approx cost, as well as chance of reaccurance? I know we do not have to remove her eye, but I definately want to take it off. My vet is out of town at a clinic gathering some ideas on new procedures, and I thought I would ask around as well.
Oh also- should I be putting her fly mask on every day now for sunlight protection? Do UV rays cause or promote it?
Thanks in advance!
2006-12-01 11:06:44 · 3 answers · asked by D 7 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Post no 3--Great pasture in the sky??? She has an eye specific type of cancer that is not spreading right now. It is only about 1 cm across and the most we would have to do is remove her eye. What type of drugs are you on? I am not putting my horse down because she may only has one eye in the future.
2006-12-02 05:30:56 · update #1
I'm so sorry for they diagnosis you've gotten on your horse. Definitely get it taken off immediately and talk to your doctor about additional treatment to be sure it doesn't spread. If it goes to the lymph nodes it is life threatening.
There are lazar treatments, radiation, Cox 2 inhibitors, etc. I would get through to some of the leading research departments and see what is working for them.
Here are a couple links to get you started. Don't be afraid to ask for referrals. You'll find these doctors are so willing to help you won't believe it:
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/public/research/zweig/Rassnick04.htm
http://www.ufvmc.com/Opthalmology.aspx?id=LargeAnimal
http://www.thehorse.com (look for articles)
There are a couple products I would recommend getting your horse on for the future.
I would use Willard Water which has been documented to build the immune system and support healthy growth of cells, it's good for the stomach and all around health. The best price I've found on it is at http://www.tunies.com
I would also put your horse on IP-6 with Inositol. You can buy the capsules and throw them in his feed. This is also a cancer fighting natural supplement that has great studies on their benefit. Finding this should not be difficult at your local health food store or at tunies.
Not sure of your horses age but I recommend everyone put their older horses on probiotics and digestive enzymes as they age. These help them with digestion and absorption.
If the fly mask doesn't bother the tumor I would keep it on when your horse is out. If your horse has lots of white skin than you'll want to find a UV protection or stay out of the sun for long periods of time.
I hope this turns out well for you and your horse.
2006-12-01 12:40:48 · answer #1 · answered by karaborr 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
although I do agree with everything Karrabor M says please remember that you want to do what is best for your horse and if he does have the cancer and it is spreading then you may have to make an unpleasant decision when it comes to its well being please consider that if your horse is in any pain and it cannot be relieved you might consider being kind to the horse and letting him or her go to that great pasture in the sky but if the vet is pretty sure that they can get it all please be aware that if they do do surgery the horse runs the risk of the cancer spreading because of exsposure to air at the time of the surgery . I would think that if it were to spread then you would want to do what is kindest and relieve it's pain.good luck and god bless and happy holidays.
2006-12-01 21:31:23 · answer #2 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
NO
2006-12-01 19:49:35 · answer #3 · answered by aidee1996 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋