An owner at my barn has a horse that is between 20 and 25. She is blind in one eye and has been for her life. Recently she has beginning to have noticable lumps forming all over her. One on the throat and one near the poll are the size of a palm and are about an inch thick. The owner won't have her checked because he is afraid of what is is... What can this possibly be?
Thanks,
2007-01-19 10:48:40 · 12 answers · asked by nicpiperloe 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
She isn't a grey but a bay thoroughbred cross mare. The lumps are under skin and hair.
2007-01-19 14:05:42 · update #1
There are multiple reasons these lumps can be forming all over the horse.
1) Has a new horse been put in a paddock with new horses?? If so, they are probably just kick or bite marks, which the body sends red blood cells to in order to reduce infection. This causes swelling in the areas of contact.
2) Have you checked the area of swelling for ticks? If you are in an environment where ticks are frequently found, this could be a possible answer to your dilemma. Again, the body will promote swelling to reduce infection from parasites, causing large lumps.
3) The horse may be developing a tumor. This happens to many horses as they age, especially grays. If you can deduct it down to this, contact a vet, but remain calm. Chances are it's a harmless tumor that can't really be treated and just needs to take its course. Call your vet, they shouldn't charge you for a consultation at the least.
I work at a barn in New York where a horse has a tumor like this, she has had it for many years, but her condition doesn't seem to be declining in the least. Still healthy as a horse! :-)
Best of luck to you. If you need any more help feel free to ask.
2007-01-19 11:21:46 · answer #1 · answered by Katie B 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What do these "lumps" look like? Are they actually raised from under the skin and hair? Are they like a large "mole" from the skin, hairless? Dark/light colored??
Without having a vet look at them and do a biopsy, there is no way to really diagnosis them properly.
My horse had what is called a sarcoid. These can happen nearly anywhere and without biopsy can not be determined for sure what they are or what can happen if left undiagnosed or untreated.
2007-01-19 11:08:02 · answer #2 · answered by Lotsa Lops 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If not asking the vet is because of money problems most vets really care about the animals and will work with the owner on a payment plan so that the horse has medical care talk her into having it checked out
2007-01-19 11:08:57 · answer #3 · answered by luv4horses 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
How long has she had the lumps, are they like and edema or solid? Does she have nasal discharge? Of course we are only making assumptions without ll the facts. Id need to see the horse.... There is a possibility of strangles.... That is very contagious and possibility deadly. But a sheer sign is the nasal discharge and they go off of feed.
In courage the owner to get a vet out.
2007-01-19 12:53:57 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Jennifer♥ 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Even though he is afraid of what the vet might say, it's best to have the vet check it out. Don't assume its tumors or warts because it could be a variety of things, some may be potentially harmful if left untreated.
2007-01-19 10:58:36 · answer #5 · answered by rockerchic821 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
most likely sarcoid cancer. If they are growing and spreading, it is a type of cancer. With her being so old, treating her will probably be expensive and non productive. Once they get it, it is hard to keep under control- meds have to be given and each one removed manually.
If the owner does not want to treat it (and I don't think I would do any extensive treatment at that age) I would let her live peacefully until she starts to look painful (probably more from old age- sarcoids are more of a skin cancer)
2007-01-19 16:24:52 · answer #6 · answered by D 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
is this horse gray by chance? Grey's are more susceptible to melanoma's and as they age there is more and more. If this horse is of a different color its still the same situation. Do not worry about this. Some of these lumps can be in dangerous areas. I have a older grey mare that has a huge melanoma growing dangerously close to the jugular vein. Eventually it will kill her if she doesn't die of natural causes first but there is nothing that can be done unfortunately
2007-01-19 11:39:59 · answer #7 · answered by Boxer Lover 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
sometimes older horses develop tumors, its usually nothing to worry about, but the owner is not doing that poor horse any favors by being afraid to ask the vet. Tell them to suck it up & get her checked out, does he want her last few years to possibly be miserable?
Good luck!!!
2007-01-19 10:56:16 · answer #8 · answered by jamie c 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
They could be cysts, or tumors, and people don't realise that they are being so cruel to their pets when they refuse to have them diagnosed. Especially if it is something serious. My uncle used to board horses and had to take people to court because they didn't want to spend money for Vets or pay to have them put down when they were suffering from Cancer. He paid out of his own pocket anyway.
2007-01-19 11:01:02 · answer #9 · answered by Fruit Cake Lady 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
probably is a tumor, get her checked out
2007-01-22 15:17:05 · answer #10 · answered by dancer.4ever 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋