CUTANEOUS LYMPHOMA
This is a teenaged Standardbred mare that started to develop skin bumps in the winter of 2002. Her overall condition remained relatively stable with appetite and weight saying about the same. The lumps continued to grow and spread all over the body. By June of 2002 the lumps were spread all over the body even extending down the legs. A biopsy of one of the bumps was taken and a blood chemistry performed on the mare. The report on the biopsy was that of cutaneous lymphoma with the suggestion that the internal organs might be also involved with the tumor. An interesting side note was that a full brother (three years younger) also had similar bumps “popping” up all over his body.
After consulting with clinicians at Michigan State University it was decided to attempt to treat this mare with high does of a corticosteroid then gradually tapering off the dose, and after a period of time stopping the therapy.
The first pictures were taken in June of 2002 showing numerous bumps all over the body, even extending down the legs. ( Fig A & B) The next set of pictures was taken in Sept of 2002 when the mare was taken off the medication. ( Fig. C & D) A few bumps still remain, but because of possible side effects from the medication it was decided to stop the treatment temporarily. Updates will be given as to the progress or setbacks if they occur.
