Rossdales offers a comprehensive dermatology and soft-tissue surgery service, which routinely provides diagnosis and management of many dermatological conditions in the equine patient, as well as treatment of chronic wounds and removal of skin masses, including sarcoids and melanomas.
Assessment, treatment and surgical removal of skin masses are undertaken regularly at the hospital. Some cases will resolve with simple topical agents (creams) applied to the masses, whereas others will need to be surgically removed, often using a surgical laser (pictured) with the patient sedated and locally anaesthetised in stocks.
Research, including studies undertaken at Rossdales, has shown laser resection to be one of the most effective surgical techniques in preventing recurrence of such lesions. Read our article about Sarcoids here.
Chronic and non-healing wounds are not uncommon in the equine patient and after thorough assessment, a number of skin grafting techniques can be employed to stimulate and hasten the healing process.