Surgical removal and autologous skin grafting as a successful treatment of primary cutaneous haemangiosarcoma in a horse

Abstract

SummaryThis report describes the successful treatment of a cutaneous haemangiosarcoma in a 12‐year‐old horse presented for evaluation of a cutaneous mass on the left gluteal region. The horse was treated by complete large surgical excision of the neoplastic tissue. A good cosmetic outcome as well as a short recovery time was achieved with an autologous skin grafting split thickness modified Meek technique. A long‐term follow‐up of the patient showed no reoccurrence of the haemangiosarcoma and a successful return to athletic performance. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first equine primary cutaneous haemangiosarcoma treated with complete excision and subsequently autologous skin grafting with a long‐term follow‐up and good outcome despite the poor prognosis.