Stallion With A Testicular Tumor

[Redcatcher]

They're very rare in horses, but this site gets so much traffic, I thought I'd give it a shot. I've already called in two vets. One completely missed the diagnosis, and the other is more knowledgeable but seems to only have only limited experience. Does anyone have any experience in dealing with this type of cancer either as a client or technician/vet?

 

[FlaRocky]

Where do you live? Do you have a Veterinarian Teaching Hospital near you? I personally have not had this happen to one of mine. Can you post some stats on the stallion, age, breed,height,weight, breeding history. Need to know where you are at to be able to find the best vet for him.


Maye

 

[Redcatcher]

Thank you for the help, Maye. He's a 16 hand Appaloosa. He should weigh roughly 1100 lbs but he's down to about 950 lbs (condition of 2.5 on scale of 9). He hasn't been used for breeding in over 10 years. There is reason to suspect it's a hormone producing tumor because he's suddenly become very aggressive. His manners had always been impeccable even around mares. I'd send him to Tufts but I've almost exhausted my resources with getting a diagnosis and need to set aside the remainder towards castration

 

[Glenmar]

I had a mare that has something similar. It was a testosterone secreting tumor on her ovary. The thing was the size of a soccer ball.
She got very aggressive and starting acting like a stallion. She also lost a lot of weight. She was quickly down to about 800. After the surgery to remove the ovary and tumor, she returned to normal. I don't remember anyone saying it was cancer. She was about 4 at the time.
She is now 23.

 

[Redcatcher]

I had a mare that has something similar. It was a testosterone secreting tumor on her ovary. The thing was the size of a soccer ball.
She got very aggressive and starting acting like a stallion. She also lost a lot of weight. She was quickly down to about 800. After the surgery to remove the ovary and tumor, she returned to normal. I don't remember anyone saying it was cancer. She was about 4 at the time.
She is now 23.

The tumors in stallions are very similar to the type found in mares only that there is testosterone on top of more testosterone. I asked my vet why he was losing so much and he really couldn't give me a straightforward answer. Maybe you answer my question. Was your mare not eating or was she eating well and still losing weight? I can't tell with my stallion since he's being boarded but the barn owner assures me that he's getting plenty of eat. The weight loss has me worried that the tumor has metastasized and his other organs are being impaired.

 

[theoldchick]

I'd castrate him. Clients I've dealt with who were reluctant to geld a stallion because of a testicular tumor wished they had done it sooner as the horse improved so nicely. If he is a valuable stallion you can collect and store semen for future breedings, although this is pricey, too. Evaluating him for mets will also be pricey, so I'd geld him and hope for the best.

I wish you the best of luck.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Call Michigan State University. They are the top researchers in equine medicine

 

[Redcatcher]

I'd castrate him. Clients I've dealt with who were reluctant to geld a stallion because of a testicular tumor wished they had done it sooner as the horse improved so nicely. If he is a valuable stallion you can collect and store semen for future breedings, although this is pricey, too. Evaluating him for mets will also be pricey, so I'd geld him and hope for the best.

I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you for the advice. Is it possible to do a unilateral castration? My vet is away for a couple of weeks so I can't ask him. He's not extremely valuable but he's stallion material and had always been a perfect gentleman. He's one of those charismatic horses with a lot of presence and character. One of my greatest joys in life is watching him at liberty... The way he moves and carries himself in a way that only a stallion can. I'm afraid he won't be the same if he's castrated.

 

[Glenmar]

My mare was running it off, I think. She was away at training at the time. The trainer noticed that she was chasing the mares and other horses in the pastures. I she was wired all the time.

 

[theoldchick]

Thank you for the advice. Is it possible to do a unilateral castration? My vet is away for a couple of weeks so I can't ask him. He's not extremely valuable but he's stallion material and had always been a perfect gentleman. He's one of those charismatic horses with a lot of presence and character. One of my greatest joys in life is watching him at liberty... The way he moves and carries himself in a way that only a stallion can. I'm afraid he won't be the same if he's castrated.

Yes, you can leave a testicle, but to be perfectly honest you might end up with a tumor in that testicle, too. Many clients are reluctant to castrate a stallion for the very reasons you state. But certain tumors are 'fed' by hormones, and if you are worried about mets, castration ceases the hormones that allow the cancer cells to multiply. This is a very emotional situation and only you know what is right for your horse. And remember this type of cancer might have a genetic component.

On the other hand, if you have the money, you can have the cancerous testicle sent for microscopic exam and see exactly what kind of tumor you are dealing with. This simple test will give you information on which to base further treatment.