Dermatology

Horses can develop a range of different conditions affecting the skin. Our team are able to offer a full range of advanced diagnostic and medical and surgical management options.

Allergic skin testing and treatment

We can perform specific allergen testing for horses presenting with chronic skin conditions such as pruritus (itching) and urticaria (hives.)  

We will gain a thorough history of the presenting complaint giving us information about possible triggers or patterns of the skin disease. Following this, we can perform Intradermal Allergen testing (IDAT). This involves injecting a carefully selected panel of potential allergens under the skin in a grid formation with recording of any allergic responses. This allows us to identify potential allergic causes which we can help you to avoid, and we can use these allergens to create an Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT) vaccine which can help alleviate the signs seen.  

If you are interested in either IDAT or ASIT, please contact the internal medicine service via the hospital reception team. We recommend that horses stop steroid or antihistamine treatment for at least 2 weeks before testing if possible.  

Removal of skin masses 

Horses commonly develop skin masses, such as melanomas and sarcoids, which can vary in size and severity. Our surgery or internal medicine team will conduct a thorough assessment of each horse and develop a tailor-made treatment plan. While some masses can be removed while a horse is standing, others may require a general anaesthetic to provide the safest and most effective approach.  

Some masses may require laser surgery removal, which we perform on a regular basis using one of two different types of laser. Other masses may require reconstructive surgery in conjunction with mass removal. This is particularly important for masses that develop around the eyelid margins and nostrils or lower parts of the leg.

Samples of masses removed or biopsied are usually sent for further diagnostic investigation by our on-site specialist pathology team. This enables us to confirm the diagnosis and help to guide likely prognosis and any further treatment that may be needed. We also offer out-patient reassessments for cases seen at the hospital to provide ongoing, co-ordinated monitoring and repeat treatments if required. 

Chemotherapy

We offer a range of chemotherapeutic treatment options for certain skin masses or tumours. We can perform local chemotherapy injections into or around some skin masses.

We discuss treatment options on a case-by-case basis to give the most accurate advice for each horse. If you have any enquiries about the services we can offer, please contact us.