Stallion With A Testicular Tumor

[Glenmar]

We only removed one ovary on my mare. I was also able to breed her later with no problem.

 

[Redcatcher]

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.

When my vet gets back I'm going to suggest giving him a good sized dose of Depo. It's not expensive and it ought to shrink the tumor. It seems to me it would make it a lot easier to remove, though I'm not sure what happens to the blood supply to a tumor after it shrinks. Blood vessels generally don't go away on their own. I've never heard of it being done before so maybe there is a reason why it isn't routine..? I don't see it doing any harm. Biopsing would be a good idea and if it was cancerous I'd put him on Depo rather than castrate him. His sire is his 30's and is cancer free and comes from a well known line of horses but I couldn't tell you about his maternal side.

 

[Redcatcher]

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.

My stallion is definitely wired. Sometimes he's like his old self and other times he just stands there panting with his eyes glazed over and nostrils flared. Every little thing sets him off and it seems to take him a LONG time to get over it. He blew up while the vet was examining him. My vet wasn't prepared for it because he saw me go into his turnout and snap the leadline on him without any signs of aggression. He's always been great for the vets. About 15 minutes after the vet left, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

 

[theoldchick]

Do a biopsy first, see what type of cancer it is, and go from there. I'm iffy on Depo injection.