Sarcoid tumors are a nightmare for horse owners. Also known as blood warts, these pesky tumors are difficult to heal. Even with surgical removal, there is a 50 percent chance that a sarcoid will return.

Fortunately, several treatment options have proven successful in the treatment of sarcoid tumors. Early treatment may be best, so contact a vet as soon as you suspect a sarcoid.

Cattle Wart Virus

In horses, sarcoid tumors are caused by an infection of the cattle wart virus, or bovine papilloma virus types 1 and 2. This virus enters the skin at the site of scrapes and other wounds.



This virus can cause wart-like nodules, most commonly on the legs, abdomen, and head. Some sarcoids grow on or inside the eyelid. In some cases, granulation tissue begins growing out of control in the affected area, a condition known as proud flesh. Tumors can grow several inches in diameter!

Treatment of Equine Sarcoids

There are several treatment options for equine sarcoids. With surgical removal, all of the affected tissue is removed. Unfortunately, the chance of another tumor growing in its place is highly likely, especially if all of the tissue is not extracted.

Cryotherapy has been used with success. The tissue is destroyed by freezing it with liquid nitrogen. It is then removed surgically.

EqStim has also been used with success. It boosts the immune system and works especially well with other treatments. EqStim is traditionally administered intravenously; however, it is directly injected into the sarcoid tumor, according to James M. Giffin, M.D. and Tom Gore, D.V.M. in their book Horse Owner’s Veterinary Handbook.

With radiofrequency hyperthermia, probes are inserted into the sarcoid to deliver radio waves to the tissue. This destroys the tissue by overheating it. It is a method that has also been used quite successfully.

Giffin and Gore prefer one treatment over the rest. “Radiation therapy with radioactive implants is the treatment of choice for recurrent sarcoids.” This is the same type of treatment that some people receive for cancer.

Sarcoid tumors can be especially difficult and expensive to treat. Even so, it is important to treat them aggressively in an attempt to prevent recurrence. They have been successfully treated, and not all horses experience subsequent growths.

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