ErinR76
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Sasha had her tumor removed (pics!)Don't look at the pics if you're squeamish!
The lump behind her ear, that I first noticed this summer, was getting larger. I didn't like the idea that it was getting larger and was afraid that if I let it go too long it would attach to the muscle or become inoperable, so I scheduled the surgery. The vet came and took it out this morning. He said, "yup, black melanoma!" once it was out. Poor sasha is not very happy though. I can tell she is majorly bummed out. I hope that she feels better soon. Here are some pics right after the surgery. I went out this evening and washed off all the blood after it stopped bleeding. the pic is before we washed her cheek at all, I wanted a nice gory pic. The tumor measured just under two inches.
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CoolsLadyInRed
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Is that cancer more common in grey horses? Nice tumor. Yuck, and I'm a nurse. Hope she is feeling herself soon. That is a good size incision,too.
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Clarissa
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Erin did the tumor have any roots? It doesn't look like it just laying there on the ground. Did the vet cut it open? Amazing how it is spherical shaped.
I hope Sasha is getting over her headache by now.
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ErinR76
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it did not appear to have roots. I have a pic of the other side. I think that stuff that looks like 'not tumor' is the muscle because he said it was slightly under the muscle. As you can see, this other side was shaped/conformed to the base of the ear.
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whisperingwindfarms
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Did the vet say it was an SCC?
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ErinR76
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I don't know what SCC stands for. He said it was a black melanoma...
so when I went out last evening to try to clean up some of the blood, Sasha would NOT let me touch the actual wound. she was very leery of me being anywhere close. she finally let me clean her cheek, reticently. after I was done, I wanted to groom her and untangle her muddy mane. She kept acting like she thought I was going to go back to her ear. I talked to her, and promised her I would not touch her ear any more tonight. I was bummed because I don't want her to turn headshy over this whole issue. I really hope it heals up quickly and well and I will do my best to keep the communication and trust there....
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Clarissa
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If the vet had to scrape the ear cartalidge that might be causing a lot of pain. Plus just having an op on the head is enough itself really.
When Sonny had his swamp cancer removed from under his belly it was a very hot summer & the vet told me to hose it several times daily with a gentle sprinkle setting of the trigger nozzle. Sonnny loved it & it was obviously very soothing for him.
I know when I have had opperations I get under the shower & let the water sprinkle down onto the wound. But I guess it's cold over in your neck of the woods now so hosing would not be comfy.
Plenty of anelgesic cream might do the job.
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ErinR76
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yeah the vet said not to hydro-treat it. and it is cold! He did say to do a warm application of cloth if she would let me. So far its too painful. I'll try once every day and see if she lets me. I just hope and pray and send my good vibes over to her little head! It's just behind the ear, not actually on the ear.
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whisperingwindfarms
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SCC is Squamous Cell Carcinoma. It's my understanding that it's kin to human skin cancer and it common in light skinned horses. I was just curious.
Glad everything went well. Keep talking to her!
You might want to put her on an immune system booster for a bit. (Unsolicited advice!)
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ErinR76
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I thought about that! I will see if the feed store carries any. She is on an antibiotic, so I give her a probiotic every 12 hours (opposite end of the day) to try to replace the good bacteria...
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PasoBaby_CarolU
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Good luck with her Erin. I hope she recovers soon and fully. Anything like that is painful for a while. A friend just had a similar sized fatty tumor cut off her back/neck area. It will be two weeks tomorrow and she is just lately able to bend her neck and use that arm. That should give you an idea on time to be out of pain.
Poor baby...spend lots of TLC time with her. It's a good time to bond.
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whudson
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Hope your horse rebounds well...But gross, and I'm a nurse too 
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