An update; i am stretching out our booster shots to 9 or 10 months instead of 6 months, to make the cost more workable for long term treatment. So far the tumors remain under control. But if i see any accelerated growth i will go back to 6 month intervals.
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So far the tumor on her head is holding. Any increase in size is slight. Almost have to question myself, is it slightly bigger or not? So, it is definitely looking under control at this stage, some 17-18 months from the start of treatment.
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Thatās awesome to hear, Holly01! Makes a lot of sense to push out the treatments a bit when possible. Unfortunately my finances made it so I had to go a year between his shots, thereās no way I can afford it before December (his last one was in December) and Iām kicking myself but such is life I guess. Thereās been growth but not out of control so Iām telling myself Iām doing my best and thatās all I can do.
Jingles to everyone following this thread of melanoma chaos, I truly hope they find even more successful treatments and cures in the future!
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We are two years on from the start of the program so feel i i probably should update here. The paratoid tumor is slightly bigger (unfortunately). The trend is around the start of breeding season approx September/ October (here in NZ) it appears to increase, then it stops. Thus looking like hormones are playing a part here. I have spread the boosters out to coincide with boosting when i see growth. Itās still difficult to ascertain to what extent this is working or having an affect. Note; she is not a breeding mare, just noticing periods of growth during onset of breeding season. Due to the extravagant cost of the Oncept vaccine we will likely stop after the next two boosters are given.
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Reviving this thread for any updates. My 12 yo gray horse has cutaneous melanomas on his sheath and anal area. Last August, we did surgery, under full sedation, to remove all of them.
Yesterday, we found some had returned on his sheath. Has anyone changed from surgery to Oncept? Anyone with more recent pricing/availability/news?
My vet recommended surgical removal once again, but hopefully with standing sedation. However, my boy hates to have his stuff messed withā¦At any rate, I would anticipate a cost of $1500-2000 for the surgery, and if this is going to occur 2x a year, that could be very pricey and risky.
Thoughts, ideas, opinions, helpā¦all welcome.
I pay about a grand an injection and my local vet administersāI do not need to go to the vet hospital. I live in an area where veterinary services are expensive, so you may pay less in another area.
Initial course was four injections, two weeks between each. Maintenance is one injection every six months.
We got off the cycle with covid, unsure if weāre going to restart. It maybe slowed things down a little, but was far from the miracle Iād hoped 
Thank you for this information. Pretty expensive, but comparable to surgery 2x a year, without that stress.
My cost has remained stable over the past 7 years - it helps to go to the vet school I think. I pay about $500 per injection including a physical exam.
We are now a few years along into the progammeā¦so another update is in order !
Hollyās paratoid tumor has grown slightly each year. It is however slow growth and does not affect her. I am down to my last booster shot which she will receive Aug/September. The price of the vaccine makes it very difficult to continue (well at least here in NZ). I am hoping it doesnāt get aggressive after stopping the programme. It has cost to date $10,000 to save my horse so its been a hard road. At the least she is healthy and the tumor is still not affecting her eating, swallowing or breathing. She is still rideable and a happy girl ! now 15 and rising 16 in a few short months ! We started the programme when she was 12 from memory (you can scroll to start of post to check !). I am grateful to still have my horse 
We are now April, 2023 !!! So it has been a good few years since my original post. I think Holly was rising 12 ? Now rising 18! She is healthy and happy. Her parotid tumour is still there but not growing at rapid speed. It seems to have stalled the last few years, but do notice the slightest growth every season at the start of cycling (shes a mare),. But it is for the most part in remission. I cannot say for sure why this is. It has stalled and the size is not too different when compared to photos from around 4 years ago. But thought i would share some years and that my news is still good news !
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Another update Holly had a tumor under her dock which was surgically removed and to date has never grown back. The advice i had over this journey is surgery where possible has the best outcome for melanoma. Oncept is recommended where surgery is not possible or after surgery to reduce regrowth. From my experience i can not conclusively say it has worked, but neither can i say it hasnāt. Let me know if any more research papers have been done to date? that can shed light on this ??? But for now and over the last 5 or so years an angry tumor that couldnāt be operated on is not causing any issue. Hope all this content helps you with your journey and best of luck !
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