A Sarcoid is a tumor of the skin which can be found on horses, donkeys & mules, presumably caused by bovine papilloma virus infection, characterized by thickening and ulceration of the skin. This is the most common type of tumor found in horses. Sarcoids can occur at any age, they can be single or multiple and you will find them most frequently on the head, limbs, and abdomen. You can also see them on sites of trauma and healed wounds.

Their appearance can vary from a small growth that has a warty appearance, sometimes a cauliflower texture –some are firm, others can be moved freely, and we can see some that form nodules.

There are six actual types of sarcoids:

Occult – these appear as gray hairless areas and are usually flat. These are the ones people usually think are old scars. Most are round, but any shape can be seen. These are the ones that are found on the face, behind and under the elbow, inside the thigh and even in the groin areas.

Nodular– can be a single, marble-like tumor or multiple tumors under the skin. The skin may move over the nodule or may be attached to it. They are often seen in the thigh, groin, armpit, and eyelid areas. These are the ones you want to watch as they can form ulcerations.

Verrucose– are the ones that look warty and can have some red ulceration on the surface. These are frequently found on the face, groin, inside the thigh, sheath and inside the elbow area.

 Fibroblastic– are common in any of the thin skinned areas. These are flat based, and usually bleed when bumped. We usually find this type after a trauma to that area.

Malevolent- this is the worst of the sacrcoids. These spread expansively through the skin with cords of attachment, frequently form nodules and ulcerate. These are primarily found around the elbow and face.

Mixed- are any of the above, appearing on the head, under the elbow, in the groin area, and can also appear anywhere on the body.