Answers About Lymphoma

We asked some questions this week on our Facebook page about equine lymphoma. “At what age does equine lymphoma typically strike? Which sex is more likely to get lymphoma? How long does a horse with lymphoma usually live after diagnosis?”

To answer: lymphoma usually strikes between the ages of 5 and 7. It’s more common in mares, and typically the horse will die within a year of diagnosis. In lymphoma, some lymphoid cells become cancerous, and grow in an uncontrolled manner. It typically includes a large amount of swelling at the tumor site, as the lymphatic fluid collects in the area. Equine lymphoma is not contagious, nor is it heritable.

Nehalem is typical in that she is a mare, and her lymphoma struck at approximately age 5. Those of you who have met her or seen her recent pictures are well aware of how much swelling she has experienced in her lower jaw, at the tumor site.

However, unlike most horses, she has lived with it for over 6 years, and is now stronger and healthier than at any time since her diagnosis!

Our treatment protocols for her include a broad range of massage and healing techniques, dietary supplements, and a specially designed blend of herbs, created for her by Heather Nic an Fhleisdeir of Mrs. Thompson’s Herbs, in Eugene.

One of the biggest hurdles we've faced in trying to heal Nehalem's cancer is that for optimal healing she needs to stay on her herbs consistently. Given the current economy and the need to provide for the other rescued horses, we sometimes have to reduce the extra supplements she receives. In order to help us keep her on her herbs consistently, Heather has generously helped us organize a fundraiser for Nehalem, so that we can purchase a 6 month supply of all of her herbs in advance.

If you would like to help by making a contribution toward her herbal treatments, you may donate through our PayPal account or send a check (links and address are in our sidebar) or contact Heather at(541)686-6136 in order to help us purchase herbs through her directly. As a 501c3 non-profit, donations made to Three Treasures Farms are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Please join us over the next few weeks, as we share some stories and pictures about Nehalem’s life, and explain some of our healing techniques, as well as profiling all of the herbs that we use for her. We look forward to sharing more about this mare and her fascinating history!