- Home
- Horse Conditions
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Horses
Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Horses
4 Veterinary Answers
Jump to section
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinomas start out as small, red bumps that can be barely noticed on areas of unpigmented skin. These bumps may seem harmless, but they are actually a form of skin cancer that can be fatal to your horse. If you find an abnormal lump, a skin irritation that does not heal, or if your horse is showing changes in behavior, the sooner you get your veterinarian involved the better. Squamous cell carcinomas will grow and possibly metastasize to other parts of your horse’s system. Surgical removal, as well as therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy, can be utilized in the treatment of this condition. The earlier the treatment begins, the better your horse’s prognosis of recovery is.
Squamous cell carcinomas are one of the most common types of skin tumors found in horses. These appear most commonly in the eye, on the genitalia or in other areas of unpigmented skin. If you notice an abnormal bump or growth on your horse, call your veterinarian immediately for a consultation.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Average Cost
From 275 quotes ranging from $15,000 - $40,000
Average Cost
$25,000
Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Horses
Symptoms may start out as barely noticeable and then develop into secondary complications. Symptoms may include:
- Small sore
- Raised bump
- Foul odor
- Noisy breathing
- Lack of appetite
- Ocular discharge
- Bleeding from the penis
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
Bumps develop most commonly on places of the body where mucous membranes meet the skin.
Types
The most common types of skin tumors in horses include sarcoids, melanomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinomas can be ulcerative or proliferative masses found most commonly in unpigmented areas of skin. Tumors will start out small, but can grow very quickly if not caught and treated.
Top
Causes of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Horses
Squamous cell carcinomas first appear where the mucous membranes meet the skin. These places also happen to be unpigmented skin that has very poor protection from the sun’s UV rays, a major factor of the cause. As the tumor grows, it can spread to the lymph nodes and then metastasize to other parts of the body. The location of the tumor can lead to unusual symptoms not seen in the most typical cases.
Top
Diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Horses
Your veterinarian will want to do a full physical on your horse. As an example, while the tumor may obviously be in his eye conjunctiva, the veterinarian will want to check the rest of his body for other tumors. Your veterinarian may want to take a biopsy sample for testing in order to appropriately diagnose what type of tumor it is. If there are other areas being affected by similar tumors, she may want to collect samples of those as well.
If she believes the tumors have metastasized, your veterinarian may want to take a chest radiograph to check your horse’s lungs. If the tumors have metastasized to his lungs, it will help the veterinarian determine her course of treatment. If your horse is experiencing a lack of appetite, she will also want to check his GI system for tumors as well.
Blood work will be conducted to see if the internal organs are functioning properly. The blood work will also show how your horse’s body is responding to the tumors and whether he will need additional therapies added to his treatment regimen.
Top
Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Horses
Treatment for your horse will have multiple variables. The location of the tumor and economic concerns will play a large role. Surgical removal is a common form of treatment of squamous cell carcinomas in horses. Additional therapies may also be utilized at the same time of surgical removal to ensure the entire tumor was removed. Cryotherapy, laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, brachytherapy, radiation and chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with surgery.
Follow up treatments, such as cisplatin injections, will need to be done after surgical removal of the main tumors. Since squamous cell carcinomas tend to recur, your veterinarian may need to cut and inject the area multiple times to ensure the tumor has been completely removed. If you do not do the follow up treatments properly or wait too long, you may have to start the entire treatment process over or your horse may never properly recover.
Top
Recovery of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Horses
Early diagnosis is important when it comes to squamous cell carcinomas. If recognition is delayed and therefore causes treatment to be delayed, the chance of recurrence and metastasis increases. If the condition is caught early and treatments are started quickly, prognosis of recovery is good. However, if it is left untreated and allowed to metastasize to other areas of the body, your horse’s prognosis declines greatly and the condition can even lead to his death.
Top
*Wag! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Average Cost
From 275 quotes ranging from $15,000 - $40,000
Average Cost
$25,000
Top
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Need pet health advice? Ask a vet
Ask a Vet
Strawberry
Shetland
20 Years
Moderate severity
2 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Discomfort
My pony Strawberry has recently had a lot of discharge and she will start pacing her pen. My grandma isn´t concerned about her, but I am. I don´t think being lonely would be the problem with her pacing, she has my two other horses to keep her company. My grandma doesn´t really get the dentist out there at all, so her teeth are pretty bad, along with the other horses. Do you think that could be the reason why she is pacing her stall all the time? She seems to have had a lot of discomfort lately, and will do anything in my power to try to help her. Do you think you could help me? Thanks
April 12, 2018
Strawberry's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
I probably cannot do much over an email for Strawberry, unfortunately. She needs to have a veterinarian actually look at her, assess what might be going on, and recommend any treatment for her. Her teeth may be bothering her, and that is a relatively easy problem to fix. I hope that she is okay.
April 13, 2018
Thank you Dr. King, I hope she is okay too. I will talk to my grandma about it, and hopefully she will get the vet out there as soon as possible.
April 13, 2018
Strawberry's Owner
Was this experience helpful?
Chili
American Paint
13 Years
Fair severity
1 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
Discharge Of Eyes
I have been doing quite a bit of research on equine cancer and became increasingly concerned about whether my horse has cancer around his eyes. He is a bald-faced APHA with one blue and one brown eye. We had taken him to professionals at a university near where we live when we first bought him and they ruled out cancer then. Ever since we bought him he has always had some degree of sunburn around his eyes with peeling skin (Not an excessive amount).He has also had discharge of both eyes but not enough to make me worry until now.His eyes have recently been releasing more discharge than usual. Other than that the skin around his eyes has stayed the same since we bought him and took him to the vet. I was wondering if the longer days, since winter is ending and spring is coming, where we live resulting in longer exposture of his eyes to the sun (Making his eyes discharge more) is what is causing it or if we should take him back to the vet for further evaluation. Thank you.
April 11, 2018
Chili's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Since he was seen originally and SCC was ruled out, there may be another cause, and it would be best to have him evaluated to see what might be causing the tearing, and if there is anything that you can do to help him.
April 12, 2018
I am happy that he is OK.
April 12, 2018
Lillian M.
Was this experience helpful?
Rusty
Tennessee Walking
14 Years
Moderate severity
2 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Redness
Swelling
Discharge
Hi - My horse has a swollen area near the corner of his eye. My vet is relatively new - he said we could do a biopsy, but I asked if the treatment would be different and he said no. He seems convinced it's a squamous cell carcinoma because it's red and bumpy and there's lots of discharge. He said there were two alternatives, depending on what is found once we have the horse doped up and can do a thorough exam. If it's in the third eyelid, he suggests removing it. If it's just the flesh in the corner of his eye, he'd freeze it. Other people are telling me that I should have a biopsy in case it's not cancer and to find out what kind it is. Another barn mate has a friend whose vet did chemo drops in the eye and cleared it up without any cutting or freezing. I'm going nuts trying to figure out what to do. Any suggestions? What are the odds that it's not cancer? Would a biopsy help to find out what kind? Should I start with chemo drops? I don't know how severe it is. Has been building up with discharge and redness increasing.
Feb. 20, 2018
Rusty's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without examining Rusty, I'm not sure that I can give you the best advice, but I would trust your veteirnarian. If they feel that a biopsy is best, that makes sense - you'll know what you're dealing with and will be able to determine how to treat it. Everybody will have a story, and a treatment, of what worked for them, but without knowing what you're actually treating, it is impossible to guess. I hope that everything goes well for him.
Feb. 20, 2018
Thanks Dr. King. I hope so, too.
Feb. 21, 2018
Rusty's Owner
Was this experience helpful?
Frannie
Mini Mule
30
Serious severity
2 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
See Above
Our mini mule has had 2 surgical excisions for squamous cell carcinoma on her hoof (frog area) and now above her coronary band onto her leg. She has been treated multiple times with cisplatin beads. We live in Northern Connecticut and are looking for other options, such as Fluorouracil, Bleomycin, mitomycin-C, teletherapy, cox-2 inhibiters, or laser therapy with Nd:YAG or diode. Do you know who would offer any of these treatments in an area which is not located on the other side of the country? We have been using Rhinebeck Equine in Rhinebeck, NY, but I don't think he has anything further to offer her. Thank you for any resources you can provide! Linda Scofield
Feb. 7, 2018
Frannie's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without living in yoru area, I'm not sure of the resources available to you, unfortunately. It would be best to talk to your veterinarian at Rhinebeck Equine, let them know that you would like to pursue other options, and ask for a referral - there may be a veterinary college near you that offers advanced therapies. I hope that Frannie does well.
Feb. 7, 2018
Was this experience helpful?
Troy
Paint
12 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
Red Bumps
I bought a black and white paint a year ago. He just turned 12 and I noticed his left eye had this red bump in it. At first I thought his eye was just bloodshot, but it wasn’t going away. I had the Vet come and check him out and I was told he had a Squamas Cell Carcenoma . We tried a Chemo cream in the eye which made it worse. My farrier recommended Nublada from Earth Angels, because it worked for one of her horses. I purchased the Nublada and after 3 months of putting the organic powder in his grain it burst open, drained and is gone. I know I caught it early and happy to say it has not returned. I also bought the Kensington UV fly mask which he wears daily. I am so thrilled that I didn’t have to spend $$$$$ on surgery and the $130.00 I spent on this product plus the $70.00 fly mask is the best thing I ever did for my boy Troy.
Allie
Paint
10 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Pussy Eye With Scab
Hello, I recently bought a horse at an auction that was in very poor condition. She is a 10yr old paint. She was very thin and her back leg was scraped up and her right eye was pussy and had what i thought was a scab. Feeling sorry for her i bought her, making it my mission to bring her home and nurse her back to health. She has gained weight and the scraped leg has healed and hair has begun to grow back. I thought she was coming along nice. However, her eye has not gotten better even though i have been applying ointment mornings and evenings. I had thought because her leg was scraped that she probably bumped her eye at the same time which was the cause for the scab however, after doing some reseach Im afraid she has squamous cell carcinoma. She has a white face and her eyes are pink so i know she is at higher risk. My question is this, is there something i can do to heal her eye myself? If i must get a Veterinarian to perform a procedure to have the scab removed, what costs am i looking at?
Ice
American Paint
15 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Growth
Carcinoma
My boy is a black and white with pink skin. A few weeks ago we noticed a growth beside his tail that was red, scabby, bumpy and about an inch long. We called the vet she came out and decided it needed surgically removed. She did a biopsy as well. Today we found out it was a carcinoma. Now our vet is in communication with OHIO State to see in he needs to go up there for more tests and possible treatment or if they can do it here. We’ve noticed no other bumps but he is losing hair on his hindquarters. I’m trying not to freak out but he’s my baby. What can we do?
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Average Cost
From 275 quotes ranging from $15,000 - $40,000
Average Cost
$25,000
Related Health Articles
About Wag!
© 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Wag!
© 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
Security