Sarcoids can be worrying, especially if they’re sited where tack would usually sit. Sarcoids: Frequently Asked Questions aims to answer the most regularly asked questions and outline the most common treatment regimes used to reduce or remove sarcoids from your horse.
Sarcoid growths worry some owners more than others. Whilst some sarcoids have no impact on a horse and it’s well-being according to the owner, others can spend a small fortune having them removed in case they are aggressively cancerous or in an area likely to be rubbed by using tack.
This article aims to sum up the most important information available about sarcoids and answer the most often asked questions. Read on to discover what sarcoids are and the different options available.
What are sarcoids
Sarcoids are skin growths or tumours on your horse. So, a lump that develops on your horse may be a visual Sarcoid symptom. Sarcoidosis is the term for the disease, sarcoids are the individual skin erruptions.
The Dick Vet Equine Practice – The University of Edinburgh reports that:
- Are all sarcoids the same – not all sarcoids are the same, and one horse may have several types of sarcoid that need different treatment methods
- What are the different types of sarcoids – there are 6 main types of sarcoid:
- Nodular sarcoids in horses – generally firm and round and can appear anywhere, often under a layer of skin
- Occult – This type of sarcoid often presents as a hairless section of skin and can be overlooked until trauma occurs and they change to another type of sarcoid
- Verrucous – Often appear like warts on the skin. Either on their own or in clusters
- Fibroblastic – These grow quickly and are likely to bleed often and be ulcerous in appearance. They can appear on their own, or develop from a less disturbing sarcoid site
- Mixed – A horse can have many sarcoids of different types all at the same time
- Malevolent – Thankfully quite rare. These grow quickly and are often untreatable
- What does an equine sarcoid look like – What the sarcoid looks like will depend upon it’s type
- Do grey horses get sarcoids more than others – Anecdotally this may appear true. However, up to 40% of horses will suffer from some type of sarcoid at some point
- Sarcoids on horse’s sheath – Although it is sensible to get any suspected sarcoid checked out by a vet, one that is on a horse’s sheath is particularly likely to cause distress if left without treatment
- Is a sarcoid a hereditable disease – Some horses may have a genetic predisposition towards sarcoids (source 2)
- Are sarcoids in horses fatal – Generally sarcoids are not fatal. However, this depends upon the type and location of the sarcoid, it’s growth rate, and it’s reaction to treatment
- Sarcoids in young horses – Sarcoids can affect horses of all ages
Do sarcoids affect horses
How much a sarcoid or sarcoids affect horses very much depends upon the individual horse and the type and location of the growths. If your horse suffers from occult sarcoids, then unless they are where tack or rugs are likely to rub, you may not find them too troublesome. Unfortunately, like other sarcoids, if they are injured or damaged, the occult sarcoid may turn into one of the more aggressive types and need medical attention.
With some sarcoids it will be obvious from the outset that the horse needs medical intervention from a welfare perspective. Some horses may need to be retired from work, and others may need invasive procedures to ensure that their welfare is maintained adequately.
Are sarcoids contagious
Although research is ongoing, it is not believed that sarcoids are contagious from horse to horse. However, as flies have been shown to transmit the virus, it is important to ensure that any wounds are covered to prevent onward transmission (source 3).
Are sarcoids cancer
Sarcoids are the outward sign of skin cancer in horses. The severity and prognosis will determine the treatments required.
How to treat sarcoids
Treating sarcoids in horses will be determined by the type of sarcoid presenting on the horse. Indeed, horses may have several sarcoids of different types, each needing an alternative method of treatment.
Sarcoids in horses treatment:
- Cream for sarcoids in horses – Liverpool cream (source 4) is reputedly extremely effective. However, it can only be administered by a vet as needs to be handled with care. There are many sarcoid creams on the market that horse owners can buy and use themselves. As with many off the shelf products, these work for some and not for others
- Best sarcoid treatment for horses – If you want to try an ‘off the shelf’ formula, then one of these may help your horse:
- Bloodroot paste – Etsy
- Pets Purest Thuja cream – Ebay
- Global Herbs Sarc Lotion – Ebay
- When should sarcoids be treated – Sarcoids should be confirmed by your vet and treated under their direction
- Sarcoids – cost of treatment – This will depend upon your vet and the type of sarcoid and method of removal. It may be worth discussing with your insurance agent to see if the treatment can be covered under your policy. Laser removal and Liverpool cream can run into hundreds of pounds, so it’s wise to check first. There are cheaper creams and concoctions available so if funds are limited discuss using these with your vet before looking into the surgical routes
What happens if I use the wrong sarcoid treatment
The problem with sarcoids is that it they are disturbed, or the wrong treatments are given, the more mild type can quickly turn into the more aggressive types of tumour and grow rapidly.
How to treat sarcoids in horses naturally
There are the usual medical interventions that your vet can suggest. However, there are also natural remedies that many people swear by.
There are many herbal remedies that involve giving tonics to your horse, and using herbs and plants that are readily available. From turmeric to mistletoe, and many others in between, alternative treatments are expounded upon online (source 5).
Turmeric (source 6) administered both through feed and topically to existing sarcoids has been reported as being effective. However, as this information has been sourced from a site that propounds the benefits of turmeric, it should be viewed with appropriate caution.
Apple Cider Vinegar and honey are also used as treatments for sarcoids, but there is no scientific evidence that these are any more effective than placebo treatments.
Sarcoid Supplement for horses
As sarcoids are so common in the equine world, there are multiple supplements that suggest that they should be used to prevent the formation of sarcoids. As there is no robust scientific evidence for any supplement for horses that completely stops the occurrence of sarcoids, I shall not be listing any here.
How long does it take for a horse’s sarcoid to heal
Whilst each horse has their own recovery rates, you should expect to wait a couple of months for the sarcoid treatment to show reasonable results.
Can a sarcoid recur after being removed
Unfortunately, those horses who have experienced sarcoids in the past are more likely to suffer from them in the future (source 8). With a genetic pre-disposition, and the virus already in a horse’s system, it is not surprising that sarcoids will reappear at some point. Possibly if a horse is slightly run down or suffering from another infection that has reduced the effectiveness of it’s immune system.
Sarcoids – what happens if left untreated
If you leave sarcoids untreated you may be lucky and your horse may suffer no ill-effects. However, sarcoids should always be inspected by a vet and their advice followed.
Depending upon the type of sarcoid, what appears to be a small unobtrusive lump one day, may in a short time turn into multiple and aggressive tumours that are unlikely to react as well with treatment.
Can you prevent sarcoids
Whilst there is no absolute way of ensuring that your horse does not suffer with sarcoids at some point, there are ways to lessen the possibility (source 9). Especially if there is a horse on your yard that suffers from sarcoids, using fly repellent and fly rugs, can make it more difficult for flies to spread the disease.
Some of the most protective rugs are:
- Boett – Boett Blankets – Sweet Itch Remedy (evetdrug.co.uk)
- Rambo Vamoose – Horseware Rambo Hoody with Vamoose | Old Mill Saddlery
- Wetherbeeta ComFiTec Shield – Weatherbeeta Comfitec Shield Combo Neck Sweet Itch Rug Brand New 6ft 9 | eBay
Conclusion
Sarcoids can be troublesome and costly to treat. However, they are generally not life-limiting, and manageable in a number of cases. As long as the sarcoid is not in a sensitive area, or one that will make it prone to being rubbed by tack, there is no reason that your horse can not live a happy and fulfilling (and working) life even with sarcoids. However, it is a wise idea to be observant and take action should any changes, or more sarcoids appear.
