We're looking for some advice regarding a case of penile cancer in a 25yr old gelding. Essentially the pony, which had been in the family for some years, was sold on the grounds that if it was ever to be sold on or became unwell it would be sold back to us (at the time our financial situation dictated he had to be sold but this has since changed).

We have recently discovered, despite a contract stating that we should be notified of any ill health, that the pony in question has had a penile tumour for nigh on 12 months. I will post a picture below but those who are squeamish please beware.

The current owner states that the tumour has been, and remains operable, but the cost would be in excess of £20,000 and they don't seem to have insurance. Furthermore, they argue that because of his ill health he may not survive the requisite general anaesthetic. He is otherwise in good health, many people would mistake him for a pony years younger and he is still eventing regularly.

We are told that he may have as little as a week or as much as months to live, depending on the rate of tumour growth, without intervention.

My questions are a) does the cost sound accurate? b) is 25 too old to even consider an operation? c) could it be done under a local anaesthetic - I've read of it being done elsewhere (albeit in the USA)?

Any advice would be gratefully received - he is dearly loved and cost really is no object if there is any chance of a recovery.

This link is to an image of the tumour - if you are in anyway squeamish do not click on it. Imageshack - cimg1084y