Dermatologic conditions in horses can be difficult
to diagnose with names like
Dermatophilosis and Dermatophytosis—Say What? It’s no wonder common names like
"scratches," "greasy heel," “mud fever” and "girth
itch" have emerged. These terms sound like a diagnosis, but they actually describe
the signs and symptoms of the skin condition. It may take a veterinarian to come
out and take a skin scrape sample to determine the exact problem. But, understanding
some of these skin ailments in your horse may help you now and in the future.
Dermatophilosis is a
bacterial infection, commonly known as rain rot or mud fever. This infection
causes streaks of hair loss that resembles paint brush strokes, oozing, and
crusting. White horses or horses with white leg markings are most commonly
affected. This can happen in any climate, but mostly in tropical regions where
it’s humid, damp and wet.
Pyoderma (or folliculitis) is commonly known as saddle dermatitis, tail
dermatitis or pastern dermatitis. It develops when a horse sweats excessively
and this causes a shift in the pH balance that favors bacterial growth. Signs
and symptoms usually include hair loss, crusting, scaling on the chest and legs
and across the back croup. This condition may be preventable if you rinse down
your horse after exercise.
Dermatophytosis ("ringworm") is a fungal infection. Ringworm is very common and misdiagnosed frequently
as an equine skin disease. In most classic situations, ringworm starts with
hair loss in a localized area that slowly expands to a larger size. Sometimes
this makes it difficult to distinguish this from other diseases, especially
bacterial infections and sarcoids. Of course, for accurate diagnoses have a veterinarian
come out and do a culture of the lesion. Ring worm generally heals up within a
few months without treatment; but it is very uncomfortable for the horse and it’s
highly contagious to other horses and humans.
Tack and grooming supplies should not be
shared, and equipment and even stall walls should be disinfected to prevent
spreading the fungus.
We Recommend for Mud
Fever and Rain Rot:
Move your affected horse
to a dry stall, wear gloves to remove crusty scabs and trim the hair, if applicable
around infected area, wash with an antibacterial shampoo, such as, “Castile Dermatitis Shampoo”, pat dry, and treat with “Equine Derma Relief” twice a day
for up to two weeks.
