Everything Horse magazine Everything Horse Magazine, December 2015 | Page 40

Categories of Sarcoids There are 6 different categories, all of which can be seen below; VERRUCOSE FIBROBLASTIC Consists of red/yellow ulcerated, proliferating masses, that bleed readily and may be covered in a crusty discharge. NODULAR Usually smooth, firm, fibrous lumps within or under the skin. They can be found individually or in groups. OCCULT A smooth, flat area of hair loss often with well-defined margins with relatively normal looking skin. MALIGNANT Widespread infiltration of different types of sarcoid covering a considerable area, with little evidence of normal skin, usually seen in genetically susceptible individuals. MIXED These contain any combination of the different types of sarcoid, occurring at the same location at the same time. Usually irregular patches of slightly raised, crusty or flaky skin. SARCOIDS The term, Sarcoid, covers a spectrum of different types of equine tumours. History of the condition spans over thousands of years. Here, Chapfield vets give a brief overview of where you can typically expect to find the different types of sacroid, how they spread, diagnosis and treatment. What are they? Sarcoids are a very common type of skin tumour affecting male and female horses, ponies and donkeys. They affect all ages apart from young animals under about 2 years. Some animals appear to be genetically susceptible to developing sarcoids. Where are they found? Sarcoids are usually found on the skin of the head and neck, between the front legs and in the groin area, although they can appear anywhere on the body. Whilst they can spread within the skin, they do not spread to the internal body organs. Types of sarcoid There are about six different types of sarcoid which vary in appearance and growth patterns, from flat flaky patches to large, ulcerated pedunculated growths. How d