BRAVE MUFFIN THE MULE HAS GROUND BREAKING TREATMENT
| BRAVE MUFFIN THE MULE HAS GROUND BREAKING TREATMENT Redwings adoption favourite Muffin the Mule has received ground-breaking specialist treatment at the internationally renowned Animal Health Trust in Newmarket for a sarcoid under his eye. | |
Sadly, over the past two years, Muffin has needed to spend much of his time in veterinary care at Redwings HQ while his sarcoid was being treated. Despite a variety of treatments the tumour became more advanced and so the Redwings' veterinary team approached specialists at the Animal Health Trust to ask if they could help.
Sarcoids are the most common form of tumour in horses, donkeys and mules worldwide. Some animals get just a single sarcoid, whereas others may have multiple tumours. The tumours remain within the skin, but can grow and become ulcerated. They can be painful and, if close to the eye, can have a significant effect on vision. At present, Muffin's sarcoid is below the eye and whilst it is relatively small, it is not affecting his sight. However, it is likely to be causing soreness and irritation.
Because treatment to date has not been successful for Muffin, the Animal Health Trust used a specialised technique known as brachytherapy, which is a form of radiotherapy. The AHT Equine Clinician responsible for Muffin's treatment is Meredith Smith who explained "I have inserted wires impregnated with a radioactive material (Iridium-192) into the affected area. This is a gold standard of treatment particularly suited to this type of tumour. I am very hopeful that it will improve Muffin's quality of life significantly. To date, we have had a 100% success rate using this therapy although, to the best of my knowledge, it has not previously been used on a mule".
Sarcoids are notoriously difficult to treat and not only was Muffin's in a very tricky position under his eye but it was also a very aggressive form, which is why the charity's veterinary team decided more action needed to be taken. Redwings vet, Ruth Morgan said "Muffin is an iconic resident at the Sanctuary and has been with us for a long time. We tried all the standard treatments, including creams and a course of chemotherapy; but when we heard that the oncology team at the Animal Health Trust had started treating these sarcoids in horses with iridium, we knew that would be Muffin's best chance."
"We were very concerned to treat the condition effectively before it spread closer to his eye and became painful. This type of radiotherapy is a new and very exciting method that has been developed and fortunately Muffin didn't need to travel too far to receive it. We are so grateful to the Animal Health Trust for taking such good care of our special little mule during his stay in Newmarket and for all their assistance with this case."
Redwings and The Animal Health Trust, both based in East Anglia, have very similar aims in the field of equine welfare, and both are delighted to be working together to ensure the best outcome for Muffin.
The Trust has had a wide variety of unusual animals referred to them over the years, but Muffin is thought to be the first mule they have ever treated.
Find out more at http://www.redwings.co.uk/or by telephoning 0870 040 0033. Visit http://www.aht.org.uk/for more about The Animal Health Trust
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Added on: 20/08/08. Views: 327
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