Lesson
11
Common
Skin Diseases of the Horse &
Administration
of Medication to the Horse
Skin
Diseases
Girth Itch (ringworm)
1.
Very
common fungal skin disease in young stabled horses
2.
Highly
contagious through contact with other horses or tack
3.
Loss
of hair and itching
4.
circular
of large patchy areas affected
5.
control
includes disinfecting tack and grooming equipment
6.
treatment
with topical antifungal products (tamed iodine, clorhexidine,
benzalkonium cloride, Clorox solution. Possibly oral
antifungal (griesiofulvin)
Biting
Gnats (culicoides) and onchocerca
(summer itch)
1.
allergy
associated
2.
Itching
and hair loss in withers, tailhead area and ventral abdomen
3.
Control
includes insect control, management procedures(stabling during bad gnat times
–early morning and late evenings)
4.
Ivermectin
will destroy onchocerca mircofiliria
Rain
Rot (Rain Scald, dermatophilus)
1.
Bacterial
skin infection which appears as a pattern of rain drops over the back and rump
of a horse
2.
The
patches involved are circular and patchy which can be pulled up easily and a
purulent moist wound is found underneath.
3.
Treatment
consists of antibacterial shampoos and ointments (tamed iodine, clorhexidine, benzalkonium cloride
) and systemic(injectible) penicillin
External Parasites
Lice
1.
Minute
organisms found in the hair causing itching
2.
Control
includes good management procedures(clean environment and prevent overcrowding)
3.
Treatment
involves either medicated insecticidal shampoos or washes and/or ivermectin
oral treatment.
Ticks
1.
Body
ticks and ear ticks (not related)
2.
Cause
anemia if extensive infestation. Cause irritation and annoyance when in the
ears.
3.
Treatment
involves either medicated insecticidal shampoos or washes and/or ivermectin
orally.
Mites
(mange)
1.
Not
very common on horses (one form is eradicated from the U. S.
2.
Cause
hair loss and severe itching
3.
Require
skin scraping and microscopic identification for diagnosis.
4.
Treatment
involves either medicated insecticidal shampoos or washes and/or ivermectin
orally.
Skin Tumors and Proud Flesh
Proud
flesh (exuberant
granulation tissue)
1.
contaminated
and poorly managed open wounds
2.
worse
in humid areas of the country
3.
good
wound care and pressure bandaging (for wound protection and pressure and
immobility of the area) help prevent proud flesh
4.
Copper
sulphate products can control proud flesh problems
5.
Surgical
removal may be necessary
Sarcoids
1.
The
most common type of skin tumor in the horse
2.
can
look like a proud flesh wound or summer sore or can look like a wart in
appearance.
3.
These
can spread possibly through contact but some horses seem to be more prone to
them than others ( may have immunity to problem)
4.
Surgical
removal or Freezing or immuno-stimulant injections or Compound X as a treatment
Warts
1.
Normally
seen in young horses
2.
Usually
self limiting (they will go away on their own in about 30 to 60 days)
3.
Caused
by contagious virus
4.
Castor
oil or salycilic acid (anti wort products like
compound w) may help remove warts
5.
removal
of some and spreading of the blood on some of the other warts has been known to
work.(immune response)
Melanoma
1.
Non-malignant
tumor (cancer) seen on mostly older, gray horses.
2.
Usually
seen around perineal area
3.
Not
known to spread to the internal organs and be as deadly as we see in humans
4.
Normally
not removed unless they are a real problem
EQUINE WOUND
HEALING PRODUCTS
Antibacterials
1. Nitrofurazone
ointment, spray, and powder – Furacin, topazone, furazone and other
generic products
2. Tamed
Iodine ointment and gel – Betadine, biozide
gel.(antifungal also)
3. Clorhexidine ointment and salve – Nolvasan
salve.(antifungal also)
4. Aluspray
5. Benzalconium Chloride based products _ Fungisan
( also anti fungal)
6. Other
prescription antibiotic ointments.
Stimulate Granulation
1. Scarlet
oil
2. Granulex –also contains enzymes for removing necrotic tissue
3. Tripzyme - also contains enzymes for removing necrotic
tissue
4. Cut N
Heal
Drying (astringent) agents
1. Blue or
purple wound spray (Gentian violet)
2. Wonder
Dust
Proud flesh inhibitors
1. Copper
sulfate powders and ointments – Proudsoff Proud X
2. Iodine
– formalin solutions
Other Misc. Wound Products
1. Gall
Salve
2.
3. Ichthammol
– good for drawing abcesses.
4. Compound
Xxterra removal of sarcoids?