The use of 12,5 % Imiquimod and cryosurgery for treatment of equine sarcoid

case report

Abstract

Sarcoids is a cutaneous tumor and occurs in any kind of equine, there are no preference for breed, sex or age. It is classified in six different types , the most commons are, verrucous, fibroblastic and it also can happen mixed. The fibroblastic type presents an assorted aspect with an ulcered mass and are recovered by necrotic tissue. The treatment is based on surgical removal of the tumor and also as an alternative to the surgical treatment, the association of criosurgery, radiotherapy, cauterization, hyperthermia and immunotherapy with BCG is also valid. A 5 year old gelding presented an ulcered tumor infiltrated near to the larynx . The association of the techniques was chosen to treat this horse. With the horse sedated and infiltrated with a local anesthetic, the surgical excision of the tumor was performed. The remain tissue was frozen with liquid nitrogen. After 9 days the ulcered region presented necrosis and lost of tissue. Within this moment, daily, started the imiquimod application at 12,5% on the surgical wound for the period of 30 days. After this period the application was done every 3 days for more 60 days, fallowing it, weekly applications for 60 days until it was completely healed.