New treatment for mule's tumour

Muffin lives at a horse sanctuary near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

A pioneering treatment using radiation to treat a mule with a tumour under its eye has been developed by vets.

Specialists at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, Suffolk, inserted wires impregnated with a radioactive material into a tumour under the mule's eye.

The mule, called Muffin, has lived at a horse sanctuary near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, for 20 years after being rescued when he was a few days old.

The trust hopes Muffin's quality of life should be improved.

"Tumours remain within the skin, but can grow and become ulcerated," said a trust spokeswoman.

"They can be painful and, if close to the eye, can have a significant effect on vision.

Vets used a new radiation technique to treat Muffin's tumour

"At present, Muffin's is below the eye and whilst it is relatively small, it is not affecting his sight.

"However, it is likely to be causing soreness and irritation, and now that it has become ulcerated, it is likely to attract flies.

"Because treatment to date has not been successful for Muffin, we used a specialised technique known as brachytherapy, which is a form of radiotherapy."

Vet Meredith Smith added: "I have inserted wires impregnated with a radioactive material (Iridium-192) into the affected area. This is a gold standard of treatment particularly suited to this type of tumour.

"I am very hopeful that it will improve Muffin's quality of life significantly."

Staff said vets at the Redwings horse sanctuary, where Muffin lives, had struggled to combat the tumour and had asked the animal health trust for help.