Hello friends,
Last week my mare had a decently sized sarcoid surgically removed from her right ear by our local University Equine Hospital, and we are now undergoing post-surgical imiquimod (Aldara) cream treatment (3 weeks of treatment, spread over 6 weeks). I’m secure in our treatment plan, I have the vet assisting with the cleaning and applying of the cream, and I understand, medically, what we’re dealing with - I’m not looking for treatment advice at this time.
What I would appreciate are any tips, tricks, or lessons learned from those who’ve treated sarcoids in similar sensitive areas. My mare just turned four years old, and her limited life experience plus the typical baby-brain moments, and of course the painfulness of this site, is making daily care and treatment manageable but challenging. For instance, I quickly realized it was too dangerous to expect the barn workers to put on/take off her halter twice daily (she’s also a 16.2hh warmblood), so she’s in a breakaway halter 24/7. Absolutely NOT ideal, but she about knocked me unconscious when the crown piece accidently touched the ear. The other thing I’m considering purchasing is a split-ear western headstall to use temporarily, as I can’t see how we’re going to use our dressage bridle anywhere in the near future, even loosened up and/or taken apart.
We’re doing as much desensitization as safely possibly so we don’t dig ourselves an impossibly deep hole, and the vet is sedating her for the clean/cream application to minimize emotional and mental trauma (for horse and owner!).
Is there anything else you’d recommend incorporating, or something that made your treatment easier? The likelihood of the sarcoid returning is high, so we’re making every effort to make the treatment effective, while minimizing her distress should we need to go through a future treatment cycle. Thanks!
