Does Melanoma on My Horse Matter?
- Equine Veterinary Essentials
- May 18
- 2 min read
“Melanoma on my horse doesn’t matter, right?”“My vet said to leave it alone—there’s nothing to treat it.”
Is that true?NO and NO.
It is a common misconception—even among veterinarians—that melanoma in horses doesn’t hurt anything and should be left alone. That is not true.
Melanomas can grow large enough to cause significant quality of life issues, including difficulty passing manure. Even more concerning, they can extend to internal structures and metastasize (spread) to other organs.
How Serious Can It Get?
Tumors around the anus can prevent a horse from defecating and may become the reason for euthanasia due to chronic colic. These tumors often outgrow their blood supply, break open, ooze black necrotic tissue, attract flies, and become infected.
Common Locations
Most melanomas grow in the following areas:
Under the tail
Around the anus and vulva
Around the penis and sheath
In the parotid salivary glands (base of the ear, behind the jaw)
Where Do They Spread?
The most common sites for metastasis include:
Lymph nodes
Liver
Spleen
Skeletal muscle
Lungs
But melanomas have been found in nearly every organ, including the brain, spinal cord, and heart.
“But Doesn’t It Rarely Spread?”
What Can Be Done?
✅ Early Detection and Treatment Are Key
Surgical Removal – Early tumors can be removed with sharp excision, laser, or cryotherapy (freezing).
Unlike many myths, melanoma does NOT grow back worse after removal. It’s often best to remove them when possible.
Vaccination Options –
Oncept melanoma vaccine (commercially available)
Torigen autologous vaccine (custom-made from your horse’s tumor tissue)
Chemotherapy – May be considered in some cases, though melanoma often shows limited response.
Radiation – Available in a few hospitals across the U.S., depending on tumor location (usually extremities).
Cimetidine – This drug showed promise in one study, but others found little to no effect. In our experience, it rarely helps but may be worth a try in select cases.
HFIRE (High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation) – This technique is used for superficial tumors with limited availability.
Are There Natural Options?
Yes. Nature offers powerful herbs that support prevention and reduce tumor spread.
🟢 Lifespan (Oral Supplement)
Formulated by our veterinary specialist, Lifespan includes:
Turmeric
Boswellia
Rosemary
Flaxseed
Vitamin CAll of which support anti-tumor activity and immune function.
🟢 Gray-Out (Topical Cream)
A topical blend of studied herbs and botanicals—all with known anti-tumor properties—designed to be applied directly to the skin over affected areas.
Have Questions?
We’re here to help. The veterinarian who designed these products is on staff and available to answer your questions.
At Equine Veterinary Essentials, we take your horse’s health seriously—and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Comentários