EQUINE health
of Equine Sarcoids T
Equine Sarcoids can be the most mis-managed
problem for horses and their owners. They can start
as a pea size bump and lay dormant for years and
then explode overnight into a large ugly growth.
Sarcoids can render an otherwise sound horse unusable.
It is the most frequently diagnosed tumor in
horses. Surveys have estimated the predominance
of sarcoids at 20% of all equine neoplasms and
36% of all skin tumors. They occur at any age but
are more common in young adult horses. Sarcoids
will typically appear anywhere on the body including
trauma areas or old wound sites. In recent years we
have seen more aggressive sarcoids appear close to
the eyes, face and genital areas.
When talking about sarcoids it is important to take
a few minutes to discuss how to identify a sarcoid.
Unfortunately some can be mis-diagnosed as proudflesh
or “Ring Worm” and treated with a topical
crème with no effect. Sarcoids come in all shapes
and sizes. We have listed the six different “types” of
sarcoids below along with their description.
• Occult sarcoids - These are flat, hairless, lichenlike,
slightly crusting, dark patches. They often have
a smooth, dark hairless area around them.
• Verrucose sarcoids - These are raised, nobbly, dark
areas that often spread into poorly defined margins.
They can also be ulcerated on occasions.
• Nodular sarcoids - These are firm and nodular skin
lumps which may have normal skin over them.
• Fibroblastic sarcoids - These are often ulcerated,
weeping, raised sore lesions that may become
pedunculated and cauliflower-like.
• Mixed sarcoids - Sarcoids are commonly a mixture
of two or more of the forms described above.
• Malevolent sarcoids - These are rare, invasive sarcoids
that invade deeper tissues beneath the skin.
What can a horse owner do when confronted with a
Sarcoid? Typically they ask two questions. How did
they get it and how do I get rid of it? The answer to
the first question is the underlying cause of Sarcoid
tumors is the Bovine Papilloma virus. Yes a cow
virus..that is transferred by flies.
The answer to the second question is a little tougher.
The traditional treatments may include banding with
rubber rings, surgical excision, cryosurgery, injection
with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin as an immunomodulator
and topical or injected chemotherapy Cysplatin,
Fluorouracil (5-FU). None of these “traditional”
treatments address the virus issue and typically
have a high reoccurrence rate and will return more
aggressively. What some owner don’t understand is
when using some of these treatments like Fluorcil
or Cysplatin it will compromise their horses immune
system for months after the treatment.
Owners often ask are there “natural” products available
to remove the Sarcoid? There are “Blood-root”
products (zinc chloride) like Xxterra or Black Salve,
Indian Mud or Liverpool Crème. Bloodroot based
products burn the sarcoid off similar to Wart Be
Gone. Very painful to the horse and it burns the
sarcoid and hair follicles to the point that hair will
not return to the effect area. These products do not
address the virus issue either so you have a high
reoccurrence rate. Some vets have started to use
Acyclovir an antiviral drug that is used primarily in
human medicine for the treatment of chickenpox and
shingles. Acyclovir can be extremely caustic and is
painful to the horse just as much as bloodroot.
A new drug as been announced Immunocidin that
is immune therapy. Because it is new and just been
approved here in the states there is not real data on
reoccurrence rates. This type of therapy would be
contraindicated if the horse had a Cushings, PPIP or
Insulin based diseases.
While we are here let’s address the toothpaste
debate. I’m sure you have seen the reports of using
Crest Toothpaste to get rid of sarcoids claiming
it’s the “fluoride”. I am sorry to disappoint you but
the active ingredient that effects the sarcoids is
Sanguinaria Canadensis also known as bloodroot.
Sanguinaria Canadensis is included in toothpaste
and dental hygiene products as an antibacterial or
anti-plaque agent. They include a minimal amount
that it will have little effect on the sarcoid and no
effect on the virus.
Another alternative therapy would be Mushroom
Matrix a supplement and Thuja oil. Both of these are
used as a “cancer” therapy. It has been our experience
that for Equine Sarcoids it is extremely slow in
producing measurable results.
54 www.EliteEquestrian.us
There is another natural option for treating sarcoids
– Over the past 10 years Balanced Eco Solutions
(www.balancedecosolutions.com) has developed a
Sarcoid Treatment Protocol. It is a holistic approach
that is 100% natural. What is unique about the
program is it treats both the sarcoid and the Bovine
Papilloma virus. Because they treat both the sarcoid
and associated virus they have a high success rate
(80%-85%). Another feature of the program is there
are NO bloodroot based products. That means no
burning or causing your horse any discomfort.
The #1 question people ask about the program is
“How long will it take?” There are three factors that
come into play to answer the question. First how
long has the horse been suffering from sarcoids
from the onset? Second is what previous treatment
has been done? Finally how is the horse’s immune
system? From these questions we can give a rough
(very rough) time estimate.
The program is based on a two prong approach of
treating the sarcoid at the surface level and internally
by using an immune supplement. The treatment
protocol consists of two main products that are the
workhorses of the program. Ancillary products are
added as needed to complete the healing process.
Topical Salve – Topical crème that clears the
sarcoid and repairs them underlying skin effected by
the sarcoid. It also works at collecting the virus to a
single location. This is done when the salve starts to
clear away the sarcoid. The virus will activate to support
the sarcoid. There are two topical salves, which
we use depends on the location. If it is on the body
or face not close to the eye we would recommend
the Body Balance SC Formula. This formula has
essential oils added. For the eye and other sensitive
areas, we would use the Sarcoid Cleansing Salve.
This is the only salve recommended for sarcoids in
and around the Both of the salves can be used on
foals and pregnant mares.
Body Balance Fundamentals Immune Builder
– This is a feed supplement that is formulated to
clear the virus from the bloodstream. It also supports
the kidneys and liver during virus removal. It has
both an anti-viral and anti-inflammatory components
that assist in the healing process. We have seen
excellent results with this combined approach of
faster healing times.
reatment & Management
“How did my horse get them?
How do I get rid of them?”
YES
A COW VIRUS
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