Monday, March 9, 2009

A Bumpy Road Ahead

Last week, the vet looked at my pictures and called me to say she wasn't sure My Boy's bump was a typical sarcoid. She said she wanted to take a look and that we might have to do a biopsy.

Biopsy? My stomach went into knots because I knew that meant sedation. And needles. And a tool punching holes into his skin. All the things My Boy just loves. NOT! I knew from Paint Girl that sedation wasn't a big deal, but a little scary if you've never seen your horse in that state before.

When I got to the Painted Creek for my appointment nobody was home from work yet, so I fed the horses and goats then brought My Boy out of his pasture to eat his hay in the wheelbarrow. I figured he could have as much of his dinner as he could before the appointment, because until he I knew he couldn't eat anything until he recovered from the sedation.

I groomed him while he ate. The spring shed is really starting! As was evident by the hairs covering me from head to toe.

It was a chilly yet beautiful afternoon, the sun low in the sky. I sat and watched my boy contentedly munching his hay.

I drank this beer as I waited. I was surprisingly calm.

Then, My Boy flung the whole lot of hay out of the wheelbarrow and all over me!

I actually laughed. I know his motive was the leafy scraps of the hay at the bottom of the wheelbarrow, but part of me thinks he did it on purpose. Spotted pill!

Oops, sorry, did I do that?

The vet finally arrived and I took him up to see her. She gave him lots of treats. He was a little suspicious at first, but warmed up and then got a little too nosey for treats. She got a good look at the bump. Which had changed a little since the last photos I took.

As you can see, it had "flattened" slightly. And was lighter in color. Drier.

After getting her hands on it, the vet thinks it was an occult sarcoid (this is most likely what his tiny wart-like bump was last spring) that probably got scraped or irritated, which kind of jump starts these things, and is now a nodular sarcoid. She said it was not a melanoma, those are typically a tarry black color and this lacked pigment. She suggested we start treating it topically. If it didn't work in a couple of weeks, then we would do the biopsy.

So I bought a pricey little jar of a product called "Xxterra." It looks a little bit like brown tomato paste, or crushed berries.

What exactly is Xxterra? Here is information that I found online:

Xxterra is made from zinc salt, water and Bloodroot (Sanguineria canadensis) and supposedly the most effective treatment sarcoids. Sarcoids, which are the benign skin tumors of horses, are refractory to most forms of treatments. Xxterra effects sarcoids by altering the tumor antigens in-vivo. This stimulates the immune system to recognize them as foreign and mount a response quite similar to the host vs. graft rejection. The tumor bed becomes lined with sensitized WBC's and becomes inflamed causing it to slough off. It can become quite sore to the touch, however this sensitivity lasts only a few days.


Xxterra is effective in over 95% of the sarcoids treated. Equine warts, squamous cell carcinoma, proud flesh, melanoma and fibromas are other conditions it has been used on with various levels of success. Total failures have been observed in rare instances and have been attributed to a non-functional immune system.

Don't ask me what that technical mumbo-jumbo is. I just know that you
apply it daily and it is supposed to cause the tumor to inflame, which is good. That means his body is jump-starting his immune system to attack it. The tumor then gets big, ugly, and considerably worse, then sloughs off. Bet you can't wait for me to document this process in pictures, hmm?

She also had me start him on 1/2 cup of Canola oil added to his grain, which is a good source of omega fatty acids. She said that she has seen this, combined with the Xxterra, to really work together in some horses and just get their body and skin working to fight the tumor.

Unfortunately, My Boy's sarcoid is in an area on his face that could interfere with the bridle. And, unfortunately, his bump, which could have been dormant for a long time, somehow got "activated." Quite often, sarcoids become a chronic problem. I do not know him to have any history with these in the past.

Interestingly, the vet said that this can make horses very cranky. Uh-oh. When the tumor begins to inflame, it can become uncomfortable. Usually, smart horses with personalities like My Boy's, began to associate you and that little jar with his inflammation and discomfort. I told her I was concerned about leaving the halter on and having it interfere with the tumor. She said if he was difficult to catch without the halter right now, then he certainly wasn't going to be any easier to catch if the Xxterra kicked in. She recommended leaving it on him until the treatment was complete (about two weeks, I believe.) If the sarcoid gets really inflamed or appears to be painful, she said to give him a little bit of bute.

The morning after his first treatment, I didn't notice any change. It was a windy morning and oh mercy, he was riled up! The air was bitterly cold, he was very edgy. I gave him grain and as I moved towards him he got leery and jumped away from me twice, but came back. I was finally able to apply another coat of the Xxterra while he ate his grain.

This is how cranky he looked as he ate his hay. You can see the winds blowing his tail one way and his mane the other. He was in spooky mode, about to bolt at any moment! Every horse pasture I drove by on the way home that day had a horse in it looked the same way. They were just staring into the wind, on high alert. Funny how animals are so sensitive to impending storms. Note the bare ground.

Morning Two. This is what awaited me when I arrived at the Painted Creek!

Yes, a couple of inches of wet snow. No wonder My Boy had been edgy. He knew that storm a-coming was bringing more of that annoying white stuff!

My Boy was content to eat his grain, oil, and carrots while I groomed him then applied the medication.

He is pretty determined that he doesn't miss a single dropped piece of grain!

Here is what the bump looks like with the Xxterra on. As you can see, no real change yet. If anything, I think it looks flatter than it did. I was hoping to see inflammation, to be honest. That means it is working.

It wouldn't be a My Boy post without the classic tongue picture, would it?

The Canola oil makes him lick his chops a lot. So expect more great tongue shots in the future!

Now, we are in a wait-see pattern. Waiting to see if the Xxterra works. I have read quite a bit of information and testimonials about this product on message boards, and it was mostly good news and results. So I am hopefully this will be successful. Keep your fingers crossed!

46 comments:

  1. Best of luck with the treatment-sometimes horse problems take a lot of time to heal , and try to ignore the crankiness-your boy still loves you!

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  2. Poor guy! And poor you... it's inevitable that we have to doctor our animals at some point, but it is no fun for us or them... I hope the process goes quickly for both of you!

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  3. What a good post! I'm so glad you're able to get to the bottom of the bump mystery! Our 5 yr. old solid paint gelding who is dark brown has these but they are tiny little flat wart looking bumps, not the large ones and hopefully they won't be! Thank you for sharing such a wealth of information. Our vet told us what they were but to just watch them....no remedies. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and My Boy!

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  4. My last year's futurity horse, now this year's derby horse, Shuttle had sarcoids all over her when I bought her as a malnourished 2yo. She had some that were sub-q around both sides of her throat-latch. She had a huge one right behind where the saddle girth went. It took about 3 months to get rid of the big one (the others went away as the xterra worked on the big one), and I had to have two people to doctor her, one to hold up a front leg and one to put the medicine on. She managed to kick me twice b/c it really does hurt. That was a big setback in her training. After about 90 days it finally fell off, and hasn't returned, which my vet said he didn't think they would. The medicine works from the inside out, and basically helps build immunity. Sarcoids can be an immunodeficiency based problem on what he told me.

    Good luck.

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  5. One of our mares had a large sarcoid on her neck that we removed with Aldera (I'm guessing a version of what you're using). The stuff caused the sarcoid to get weepy, bloody and then finally just fall/peel off. And it didn't hurt her at all, even though it looked terrible - our vet says that sarcoid tissue doesn't have normal nerve endings - and our experience bore that out, although perhaps that's not true in all cases. Good luck with your treatments!

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  6. Good luck! I am so pleased that you are willing to share his treatment with us .I have had some experience with sarcoids long ago and was not aware of this treatment.Hope it goes well . Give him lots of love and goodies ,maybe he wont associate the pain with your visits

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  7. Oh That is a bummer. I am sorry to hear of your problem. tMy boy seems to be taking it well? Truth be told it is probably more painful for you. Darn animals. Making us worry so! I hope it heals and doesn't cause problems with his head stall? I have seen riders ride with out them. LOL No not me either. Take care of yourself and your boy.

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  8. I say My Boy is a lucky little equine getting you for an owner. I love how much you love him!

    I, for one, would enjoy the pictures of the healing process. I'm all about gross looking things. :)

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  9. Knock on wood, in all my years with horses, I've never had to experience this. I feel for you. Hope My Boy will cowhorse up and take the treatments like a good boy. It will be interesting to see the process.

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  10. I really hope that the treatment works for your boy! I hope he isn't too hard to catch to have the ointment applied.

    Oh, these animals, the stress they put us through...

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  11. Very interesting and informative. I'm going to ask my vet about that Xxterra stuff, we've seen some sarcoids lately and he didn't mention that. I'm interested to see it work.
    Very cool post, and I hope My Boy gets better soon. He sure is a handsome devil!

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  12. PG- fingers crossed that all works well for the Big Spotted Pill there...

    Did you get that invite OK? Just checking! ;)

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  13. I hope it resolves quickly for him, and you. Feeding Flax seed is suposed to help too, probably the same fatty acid affect, my old mare quits eating oil after awhile so it is an alternative just in case. Flax makes them shiney and pretty too! And you feed only a couple tablespoons. I hate it when the horses have something wrong!

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  14. Wow! I can sympathize! It is not easy to be the nurse to a horse, especially when they make that connection between the discomfort and the object of it. I went thru a lot with my mare when she was losing her eye. The worst was giving her pennicillin shots twice a day with a HUGE needle...let's just say it got physical, but she did get all the shots. You will find a way to get the ointment on him even if he doesn't like it. Boy, the things we do for these animals!! But they are so worth it. I am happy for you and My Boy that this is not a serious situation. Good luck!!

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  15. I LOOOVE the shot of My Boy near the tree in the snow! I always love your posts.
    This one hits close to home.

    I have one brewing on the WA too...it is under her chin on the top of her neck...it has doubled in size in the last 3 years...icky looking thing...it does look more wartish though, and not like My Boy's. I may try that serum..I have been trying Lysine now..with no results. Some say Duct tape...can't imagine that staying on!
    Thanks for the info and humor views of Your lovely Boy!
    KK

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  16. I've treated many sarcoids and melanomas with Xterra, and it's the only thing that works for me. Just don't freak out when the skin starts sloughing off. It looks ugly, but is all a part of the process.

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  17. Oh boy, I can hardly wait to see it get all inflammed and fall off! I almost passed out yesterday cause of a little bit of blood! But I'm glad it's nothing life threatening!

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  18. My Boy will be okay! We all will just think good thoughts! Besides, he has you,Paint Girl,and her man to take care of him! Things always could be worse. Looking foward to seeing the progress. I think it will be interesting. He might suprize you during this treatment thing. He just might be a good boy! He feeds of of you!!!

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  19. Get well soon and glad it is not any worse than it is!

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  20. Fingers crossed, prayers being said, and healing energy being sent your spotted pony's way, PG.

    I just feel so awful for you. I know you are worrying about him all the time. I know I would, too. I hope he only associates you with a bucket full of yumminess and not discomfort. And I hope that tumor imflames and then flakes off the way it's supposed to.

    But I hope you escape anymore snow storms and thatSpring is on it's way for you. It snowed here this morning, followed by much needed rain....of course, it barely dampened the ground. I sure hope we get more rain soon. Fire Season is coming to New Mexico.

    ((HUGS))
    ~Lisa

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  21. I hope that stuff works, that may be what Zippy needs as well, haven't had the vet look yet (he comes out regularly so he'll check next time) but his have also been there longer. His last owner was picking the tops off hoping that would make them go away (yucky looking and didn't work either). I will be curious to see what my vet says.

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  22. Big hugs for My Boy. Thanks for the very informative post on sarcoids. Who knew?

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  23. We've used xterra lots of times with usually very good results. I even put it on a skin tag on my brow bone once...hurt like heck!!! and left a huge crater which made me think, "what have I done to myself???". But, eventually it filled in and only left a tiny scar which you have to look very closely to even see. hee hee!

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  24. I sure hope you're wearing gloves or at least washing your hands well after applying it. I didn't understand all the mumbo-jumbo either, but it doesn't sound like a good thing to touch normal skin.

    Glad it was not something more serious and hope they do not return.

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  25. {Leah}~ Actually thanks for bringing that up, I meant to mention it in my post. The vet said it was safe to use it with your bare fingers, but did say to them afterward. Actually, it says right on the jar that it will "not effect normal flesh." Weird, eh? I decided that putting on rubber gloves would probably only freak My Boy out even more...he would know something was up! He would think...needles! ;)

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  26. Keeping my fingers crossed for you guys. It did look less icky to me though.

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  27. I love the cranky picture--he really looks annoyed.

    I've never had anything like that either--but it's always good to learn from others just in case. Thanks for the pictures and information.

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  28. I am glad that it wasn't cancer. Sarcoids are a pain to deal with, but treatable. Best of luck to you and My Boy

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  29. that xterra is good stuff--just be patient, or you will drive yourself crazy.

    Good luck!

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  30. that's all your boy beeds is another reason not to be caught!!! keep us posted, hee hee, and if the pic's get too gross we don't have to look!

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  31. Report on your Boy- put his meds on his bump tonight. It looks like it has gotten smaller but has not done any of that stuff you said the vet said it would do. Like get all icky before it gets better. Which makes me wonder if it is working or? Call me tomorrow at work.

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  32. So, PG, I was wondering, you mentioned that these develop over time and can be quite painful...and, you mentioned earlier that he lets you catch him, it's the haltering that he tries to evade. Do you think there's any connection between this sarcoid and the haltering problems you've been having these past (many?) months? Just wondering.....Good luck! As bad skin stuff goes, this has a great prognosis!

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  33. So, despite being a pain in the --- to treat, I think you got good news that it's only a sarcoid. If the halter irritates it, maybe you could get a set of those soft sheepskin covers that they make for halters and just use the noseband on the side of the halter. I did that once when Silk cut her cheek so it didn't rub against the halter. Good luck!

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  34. I do hope that everything works out. That whole inflamation thing doesn't sound fun. I hope it isn't too bad. I hope it all goes well. I am sure he will get better soon. And pictures? I would love to see more pictures of it!! I have never seen one all inflamed.

    Isn't it crazy how animals just know when the weather is changing. They are so intune to things that we all just over look.

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  35. {Andrea}~ Google image "horse sarcoids" and you'll get all the gory pictures you want, LOL!! ;) I have read of a couple of cases where the XXterra worked without making the sarcoid all nasty first, but I don't think that is typical. If it doesn't work in one week, I will call the vet then go from there. I believe after the first week, I then "rest" it from treatment for a week, then repeat another cycle.

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  36. (((HUGS))) to My Boy and you for all that you are going through! He sure is a cutie... I am a Appy-fanatic my self. LOL

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  37. My friend's mare had a very unsightly tumor above her eye. It actually took over most of her eye lid leaving her eye partly closed.

    Xxtera was part of what they treated it with. It took a couple of treatment cycles, but then the tumor was really a nasty thing. It did turn out to be a great success.

    I hope this works for you with minimal discomfort to both of you. It's no fun watching our equine friends hurt.

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  38. Interesting--the bump mystery is solved! Do you have to wear gloves when you apply it?

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  39. Aw Pony Girl I feel your pain with the mysterious ailments our ponies seem to go through! Check my pictures of Sally's leg this afternoon.... *oi* I hope things improve quickly for Your Boy! What an annoying sport for him to have that as well. Keep us posted!

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  40. {Photogchic}~ No gloves! I was laughing because Paint Girl applied it for me for the first time on Monday and was kind of scared to touch it w/out gloves, too. The vet said it was fine. The jar says it won't affect normal flesh (so I suppose as long as the flesh on my fingers is normal...well, I'll find out! :) I just make sure I wash it off when I get back inside.

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  41. I love your blog. These pictures of your horse are so FUNNY. Love the tongue shot, and the one when he looks so grumpy eating his hay. Ho looks to be quite a character. Hilarious AND adorable.

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  42. Here's hoping the treatment works and nothing serious comes of it all! Silly Boy and his hay!

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  43. Good luck on the bump treatment. How old is My Boy? I laugh every time I see all his tongue shots! His nose looks so clean and soft. My gelding always has the dirtiest nose!

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  44. Best of Luck! I know how scary it is for ya! But luckily it doesnt sound cancerous! I give my boys canola oil too! Helps make their coats nice and shiny! Try not to worry too much! I'm glad you posted all this info...may need it some day! I'm actually looking forward to seeing his progress in pictures! Best wishes and prayers for you two! Try not to worry!
    Rachel

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  45. Wow..I'm really getting behind on things! Have tings improved by now??
    I sure hope so!
    Bet he was cranky today too! Bet you got snow up your way!

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  46. Thanks for the info, and I will have to remember Xxterra for hopefully no future incident, but just in case.
    Keep up the good work you do with your My Boy

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I love hearing from my readers!! I truly enjoy all of your feedback, advice, helpful tips, and stories. You all make me laugh and I learn so much from you, too. I will try to post replies to your comments as often as I can.

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