My Grey Mare: A Journal of April’s Health Issues

by Karen Pickering

It’s been an interesting month, to say the least. Last month my mare, April, had tumors examined by David Sauter, DVM of Kulshan Veterinary Clinic. He took a biopsy of the tumors on her belly and injected the tumor on her back with triamcinolone (a type of steroid). The photos below were taken at the initial examination on April 24th. 

      

On May 2nd, while at the clinic for another emergency call with April (more on that health issue next week), we noticed a reduction in the tumor on her back. As of today, the tumor on her back is gone! The only evidence is the patch where the hair was shaved before the injection and a small piece of dead skin at the injection site. We expect this was an easinophilic granuloma. 

On April 29th, we received a report from the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman, Washington: they determined that the tumors on April’s belly were, in fact, equine dermal sarcoids. Sarcoids are the most common cutaneous tumors in horses, and are associated with nonproductive infection with bovine papillomavirus-1 or 2. They rarely metastasize, but can be locally aggressive. Recurrence is expected in cases of incomplete incision.  In other words, they may recur, but are unlikely to prove a serious health concern.

Next Wednesday I’ll discuss the May 2nd emergency call with April.