NJ-Horse.com

chatsworthchatter writes "Cancer. (sigh) No one is exempt. This article spotlights a special local horse, owner and their journey to an alternative treatment.
Judy H is a Woodland Township resident and enjoys the company of her two horses Lark & Quincy. Lark is a lovely mare in her golden years enjoying the life of leisure at home and on social rides with ‘friends. Quincy is a strapping Arab cross, gelding, around 10-11 years old and is Judy’s partner on the competitive trail and endurance circuit. Quincy and Judy found each other approximately 4 years ago, and like all great teams, developed a system that has proved solid and effective in competition. They have competed successfully in 25, 30 and 50 mile rides. Judy’s commitment to his training is expansive including a distance conditioning program, dressage training for rider and mount balance, as well as social rides with friends for Quincy’s relaxation. He has huge potential and is a happy, willing, sensitive fellow.   Side note: Quincy is gray.
Gray horses are prone to cancerous lumps on various parts of their bodies sometimes benign and sometimes malignant.
Quincy had developed melanomas on his ear, shoulder and the underside of his tail. Judy sought the advice of specialists along with treatment options. The tumor on his ear proved to be an occupational hazard. The bridle naturally placed pressure on it and caused him discomfort. Treatment options were few:
·         Surgically remove all – very costly – it is likely that as he ages he will develop others (approx $1500 to $3000 per procedure)
·         Drug therapy – very costly – unstable rate of efficacy. (approx $500 for 24 days of medication)
·         Create a vaccine from the tumor and administer – most cost effective – least conclusive results – newest treatment option. ($1500 for the extraction of tumor material and creation of the vaccine)
·         Do nothing – no cost – no treatment – no rate of efficacy
Judy decided to have a vaccine created from material in Quincy’s tumors. Equine Melanoma Autogenous Vaccine in West Chester PA is the lab that creates such vaccines and created Quincy’s. Just as allergy injection serum is specific to an individual’s allergic reaction from injection testing, Quincy’s vaccine was made and designed specifically from the materials in his tumors. The collection, storage, transportation, etc have such extremely stringent protocols, that everyone involved from the veterinary facility where the tumor material is collected, to the lab that creates the vaccine, is on alarm from start to finish to be sure that the entire process occurs as it should to ensure purity of environment and optimum product viability.
Quincy initially receives a vaccine injection every other week for 6 weeks, then one injection every 12 weeks until there is no more vaccine left. The amount of vaccine is based on the amount of tumor material extracted. Quincy has had three injections so far. Judy feels that the tumor on his ear has reduced in size. She has also been able to creatively alter his bridle rigging so that his ear is no longer irritated. Result data is limited at this point, but Judy and Quincy are part of a larger picture that may change that in the future. They aren’t taking the path most traveled. Instead, they are part of a process that will leave behind a new trail for others.
Quincy and Judy lost this year of competition to diagnosis and treatment of Quincy’s melanomas. They hope to be back… large and in charge… to compete in a 50-mile event in October. We wish them the best of luck with Quincy’s treatment and this upcoming event. GO GET ‘EM! Happy trails. EK

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