History
Two Show Jumper grey females, aged 18 and 13 respectively, affected by perirectal, perineal melanomas also involving the vulva and the base of the tail (Fig. 1,2), were referred for surgical removal of tumors.
Fig. 1 
Fig. 2
Clinical examination and surgery
Both mares were examined by rectal palpation and one presented also a significant para-rectal mass on the left side.
Both were fasted for two days and the surgery was performed standing. Sedation was maintained using infusion of detomidine and butorphanol. Local analgesia was provided using epidural block with xylazine in 10% dilution and infiltration of 2% lidocaine around the masses.
After surgical scrubbing, a long incision was performed around the perineal and vulval masses as well as around the tumors affecting the tail. The deeper melanoma was removed via pararectal blunt dissection (the tumor had the dimensions of a grapefruit) and the dead space was filled temporarily with gauzes (Fig. 3).
Fig.3
The suture aimed at reconstructing the vulvar and anal contour, while the areas of the tail were left to heal by second intention. During the post operative hospitalization, the mares were fed trying to keep the feces soft and were medicated daily using non-adhesive dressing on the tail and skin barrier cream around the anus and vulva.
Follow up
Ten months after surgery, the mares returned to their normal level of activity with good functional and cosmetic results (Fig. 4,5).
Fig.4 
Fig. 5