Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cimetidine for treatment of melanomas in three horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1990
- Authors:
- Goetz, T E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study involving three adult gray horses with progressive skin tumors called melanomas, a medication called cimetidine was used to help manage the condition. Before starting treatment, two of the horses had seen their tumors grow quickly over 6 and 27 months, while the third horse had a slower progression over 48 months. All three horses received cimetidine for a period ranging from 2 months to 1 year, and during this time, the size and number of their tumors decreased significantly, by 50 to 90%. The disease stopped getting worse in two of the horses, while the third horse is still being treated with a lower dose of cimetidine. Notably, the two horses that stopped treatment have not shown any signs of tumor growth for over 31 and 41 months.
Abstract
Cimetidine, an H2 histamine antagonist, was used in the clinical management of progressive, multifocal melanomatosis in 3 adult gray horses. Prior to treatment, the tumors had increased rapidly in size and number in 2 horses (duration of 6 and 27 months, respectively) and slowly in the third horse (duration of 48 months). All 3 horses were treated with cimetidine (2.5 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 8 h) for 2 months to 1 year. During treatment, the number and size of the melanomas decreased substantially (50 to 90%). The progression of the disease was halted in 2 horses and controlled in the third horse, which is still being treated with cimetidine (1.6 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h). The horses in which treatment was terminated have not been treated for 31 and 41 months, respectively, during which time the melanomas have not increased in number or size.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2298676/