Evaluation of Maggot Therapy Effects on the Progression of Equine Sarcoid

BACKGROUND: Skin is the largest organ of the body and is of particular importance in the beauty as well as economic value of the horse. Equine sarcoid disease (ESD) is the most common skin tumor in horses. So far, various methods have been used to treat equine sarcoidosis though no fully effective treatment has been proposed till now. Larval therapy has been used for the treatment of human diabetic ulcers as well as horse hoof lesions. Reports on the use of larval therapy to treat the complications of tumor lesions have been promising. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of larval therapy on equine sarcoid lesions. METHODS: In this study, 4 horses were diagnosed with equine sarcoid through the clinical examinations and pathological tests, and larval therapy was used to treat the sarcoid lesions. To place the larvae on the lesion, the method of implantation in an artificial nest was used. The number of larvae used per square centimeter was about 10 larvae. RESULTS: The result of treatment was satisfactory in 2 cases of horses and even in one case, the lesion was largely limited but the skin began to renew. By the way, in general no positive result was seen in the other two cases, which was probably due to the extent of the lesion and the instability of the larvae on it. CONCLUSIONS: According to the obtained results, it seems that larval therapy is effective for the treatment of sarcoid necrotic lesions, however more studies are needed.