The use of mistletoe preparations to treat equine sarcoids

Introduction It is a therapeutic challenge to deal with the most common skin tumor in horses: the equine sarcoid. A mistletoe therapy achieved remissions without serious side effects and a low recurrence rate [1]. In vitro investigations support these results [2] [3].

Aim The aim was to evaluate effects of Iscucin^®​-preparations (WALA Heilmittel GmbH) on the treatment of equine sarcoids.

Method This case study includes three horses between the ages of 5 and 15 years. They were treated with Iscucin^®​ Pini subcutaneouly injected with increasing dosage of 6.25 µg/ml to 50 mg/ml mistletoe extract (representing the strengths E, F, ½ H and H) three times a week for 20 weeks.

Results A warmblood geldering suffered from two sarcoids in the genital area and one verrucous and bleeding on the belly since spring 2018. The mistletoe therapy started in January 2019. After three months the sarcoids decreased and complete remission was diagnosed after one year.

In an Arab mare after failed treatment of fast-growing sarcoids with Aciclovir ointment the mistletoe therapy was started. Painful oedema occurred at injection site after injection of Iscucin®​ Pini strength H (50 mg/ml mistletoe extract). Thereupon dosage was reduced and after new dosage escalation only small swellings arose. During therapy, the growth of sarcoids was stopped and new ones did not develop.

A warmblood mare was treated because of an unsuccessfully pre-treated (Aciclovir) verrucous, stalked sarcoid in front of the udder. After 15 weeks the mistletoe therapy was stopped because of a squamous cell carcinoma at the nictitating membrane and bad compliance.

Conclusion The therapy opportunities for equine sarcoids are limited. The mistletoe therapy with Iscucin®​ Pini can be an effective treatment with minimal side effects.

• References

• 1 Christen-Clottu O. et al. J Vet Med 2010; 24: 1483-1489
• 2 Felenda J. et al. Pferdespiegel 2017; 4: 162-167
• 3 Felenda J. et al. J Vet Med Res 2018; 5: 1169

Publication History

Article published online:
13 June 2022