Washing & Grooming The Area
Washing with a mild shampoo. Grooming gloves and soft brushes are highly recommended for this area of the horses legs, as it is skin over bone and more sensitive. Aggressive grooming can cause more harm than good.
Overzealous grooming could cause the skin to break, leading to a bacterial skin infection.
Too much attention to this area can cause cellulitis, a more serious bacterial skin infection which can lead to swelling , fever, and lameness.
If over-the-counter shampoos arent cutting it, your veterinarian may recommend a medicated shampoo, likely containing benzoyl peroxide.
Dont Skip On Wound Care
- Its tempting to let smaller wounds do their thing and heal on their own, but that can land your horse in a big pickle. Cellulitis is one of those potentially chronic conditions that often result from the smallest of nicks. Lower legs are also a lot dirtier than the rest of your horse shavings, mud, sweat, and grime all love to call the skin home.
- Wounds can be treated by clipping the area and then cleaning with saline, or a solution of chlorhexidine or betadine. Then apply any medications or dressings, and maybe wrap things up in a bandage or standing wrap to help prevent infections.
- Active cases of EPD benefit from using horse socks. These socks can get muddy and wet, and provide breathable coverage that allows airflow, coverage of medications, and prevention of further infection. After healing is done, they can be used as a preventative for bacteria and fungus on your horses legs, among other things.
Fashionable and functional Silver Whinnys from Sox for Horses.
What Does Rain Scald Look Like
In mild cases, the horse may just have a few flat scabs containing mats of hair. When the scabs are removed the underneath surface is slightly moist and sometimes raw. In severe cases the coat over the horse’s back and rump will feel hard and painful and will consist of many scabs lying next to each other. If the scabs are gently removed, the horse may be left with a large area of bare, raw, skin .
When the infection affects the lower limbs it is called mud fever and similar scabby lesions will be found, particularly on the back of the pastern and fetlock and the limbs may become swollen. Rain scald may occasionally affect the face.
Recommended Reading: How Do Gel Nails Work
What Does It Look Like
Early in the disease, Pastern Dermatitis appears as a mild dermatitis with swelling and reddening of the back of the pastern. Hind limbs tend to be more frequently involved however lesions can occur on all four limbs. With progression of the disease, numerous scabs and/or crusts may form, causing matting of the hair.
If left untreated the infection may extend up the limb and secondary infection may occur, resulting in lameness and more severe swelling of the limb. In horses with feathering at the fetlock, lesions tend to be more severe and occur over a larger area, whilst lesions tend to be smaller in short haired horses.
How Do You Treat Pastern Dermatitis
If your horse develops pastern dermatitis, a detailed history is important in aiding your veterinarian in determining the specific cause: horses age at onset, month the problem was first noted, housing conditions and whether the condition has been seasonal or present in other horses on the property.
- Treatment begins with clipping the hair from the affected area to decrease moisture retention, removing crusts and treatment with topical antibacterial and antifungal shampoos.
- Because the lesions are extremely painful, the affected legs should be soaked to facilitate removal of the crusts. Soaking and medicated shampoo treatment is usually done daily for seven to 10 days or until all crusts as well as pain and swelling are gone.
- Providing a dry, stable environment is extremely important.
- Some dermatologists recommend using a padded, water-repellent bandage, changed every one to two days, to keep medications in place and the leg dry. In severe cases, antibiotics may be indicated, as well as steroids to control infection and reduce inflammation.
In the rare cases of pastern dermatitis due to mange mites or parasite larvae embedded within the horses skin, topical organophosphates and/or the appropriate anthelmintic should be administered.
Recommended Reading: Opi Gel Nail Polish Wholesale
What Is Leg Mange
Chorioptes bovis mites feed on the surface of the horses skin. Draft horses and horses with long feathering, on their legs are more susceptible to leg mange. The Chorioptes bovis can also be transmitted to cattle, goats and sheep.
If your horse is excessively scratching, have him seen by an equine veterinarian. Leg mange is painful and can be a very uncomfortable condition for a horse to experience. Left untreated, Chorioptes bovis mites can cause lameness, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections.
Leg mange is the most common form of mange in horses, it is a parasitic infestation caused by the Chorioptes bovis mite. Leg mange is also known as Chorioptic mange. The Chorioptes bovis mites are usually found below the hocks and knees of the infected horse.
Leg Mange Average Cost
From 249 quotes ranging from $500 – $1,500
Average Cost
Protect yourself and your pet. Compare top pet insurance plans.
What Causes Cannon Crud
Searching for a new horse is a time filled with excitement and stress. Its difficult to find the perfect match, but you think youve done it! You drive out to the barn, excited to meet your new riding partner. Everything looks perfect, but then you take a look at his rear legs. There– on the front of his cannon bone– is a weird waxy substance that looks almost scaly. You ask his owner about it, but she brushes you off saying that it never bothered him. Is she telling the truth? Should you still buy him?
Your new horse could have cannon crud. And his owner might be right! Most horses that have cannon crud are never bothered by the skin condition, but it does take some management time on the part of the owner and the right products.
Also Check: How Do Doctors Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
Diagnosis Of Lymphangitis In Horses
The disease is difficult to diagnose due to various causes. However, the disease can be diagnosed by the following protocol:
- The history of the disease is the same locality.
- Clinical signs and symptoms.
- Radiography of the affected legs.
- Ultrasonography of the legs to diagnose the different pockets of ulcers and abscess.
- The fluids from the wounds may be collected and bacteriological cultures to diagnose the causa agents.
Primary And Secondary Locations
The primary location where cannon crud occurs is the front part of the rear cannon bones. However, a secondary infection is possible. Some horse owners reported observing cannon crud like symptoms on other areas of the horses body, specifically the face. Secondary seborrhea is also linked with nutrient deficiencies or liver disease and should be explored more thoroughly.
Also Check: I Can’t Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
How Is Mallenders & Sallenders Treated
Most Common Types Of Horse Fungus
There are four classes of horse fungus, each of which produces different symptoms. If your horse has trouble breathing, develops skin lesions and sores, loses patches of hair, or develops a cough, it may have a type of horse fungus.
Other symptoms include rashes, sores with pus, and unexplained colic. Have your horse diagnosed and checked for fungus. Fungus is a critical condition and should not be ignored.
You May Like: What Is Good For Nail Fungus
Identify Prevent Treat Horse Fungus Save Your Horses Life
Horse fungus can occur at any time and almost anywhere on the horses body, legs, and hooves, causing issues that range in severity from relatively benign to life-threatening.
A couple of months ago, my 17-year-old Arab mare developed cracks and discoloration on one of her hind hooves. Horse fungus can be frightening when your horse catches it.
Is horse fungus contagious? There are four broad categories of horse fungus comprising over 50,000 species: Superficial Horse Fungus , Cutaneous Fungus, Subcutaneous Fungus, and Deep Mycoses. Three of the types of horse fungus are highly contagious. Horse fungus passes quickly between horses and can spread through a shared environment, grooming equipment, trailers, stables, and tact.
Lets dive into understanding horse fungus and what you need to watch out for.
A closer inspection revealed some separation between the sole and the hoof wall and a retracted coronary band. My horse didnt seem to be too concerned about the problem, showing no signs of discomfort or lameness, but I consulted my farrier and a few other experts anyway.
Initially, the consensus was that the cracking was due to a lack of biotin in my horses diet, but then my farrier came up with an alternative theory. According to him, the problem was a type of horse fungus that had flourished in the heavy dew and generally damp conditions of our South African summer.
Treatments For Common Crud
Cannon keratosis, or crud, can be managed through various grooming practices. There is no specific cure, but a lot of information can be found online offering different types of treatments. This is both good and bad if something doesnt work, there are lots of other options to try. On the other hand, it may take quite a bit of trial and error to figure out what will work best for your horse. Some horse owners report different treatments working on different horses within the same barn unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Also Check: Nail Schools In Raleigh Nc
Some Horse Owners Ignore Common Crud
Several horse experts recommended simply ignoring this condition it is generally not harmful or uncomfortable to the horse.
If you have a show horse, simply ignoring this condition may not cut itespecially halter and showmanship horses need to be turned out demonstrating perfect grooming, and tufts of oily, scaly skin on the legs detract from the overall appearance.
Theres A Fungus Among Us
Weve all been there: You go out to see your horse andwhat the heck! Your buddy is looking crusty and missing hair! Horse skin conditions are a common frustration among horse owners. They can be caused by a variety of things including fungi, bacteria and insect bites. They can be difficult to diagnose, but the good news is that most common fungal, bacterial and insect-related conditions often respond to topical treatment, which is great because oral systemic treatments can be extremely costly.
One type of common fungal condition is commonly mistaken as a parasitic infection due to its deceiving name. Despite its common name, ringworm is actually a fungus which can affect multiple horses in a herd. Fungi are primitive plants that reproduce by sending out spores in moist environments. They love warm, humid areas and wet seasons.
Sweet itch, or Summer itch, is a reaction to the bites of tiny gnats . The horses reaction to the bugs saliva causes small, itchy bumps on the skin. Often the horses mane and tail head are most affected. While the bites themselves do not cause a lot of damage, the horse will be extremely itchy and scratch on anything around, resulting in scabs and sores.
Also Check: Do Your Own Acrylic Nails Kit
Causes Of Leg Mange In Horses
Leg mange is caused by the parasite Chorioptes bovis mite. Chorioptes bovis can live off a host for up to three weeks. Chorioptes bovis can be transmitted by:
- Direct contact with an infected animal
- Walking through high grass which is infested with mites
- Stalls may be infested with mites
- Chorioptes bovis mites may be present in a trailer used for transport
- Sharing of infected blankets, grooming or riding equipment
- Rubbing up against infected objects, such as a scratching post
Fungal Infections In Horses
, DVM, DACVIM, Office of Student and Academic Affairs, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University
Funguses are parasitic, spore-producing organisms. They obtain their nourishment by absorbing food from the hosts on which they grow. Many species of fungus exist in the environment, but only some cause infections. The primary source of most infections is soil. Fungal infections can be acquired by inhalation, ingestion, or through the skin .
Some fungal infections can cause disease in otherwise healthy animals, while others require a host that is incapacitated or immunocompromised to establish infection. Prolonged use of antimicrobial drugs or immunosuppressive agents appears to increase the likelihood of some fungal infections. The infection itself may be localized or may affect the entire body .
Also Check: Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment San Diego
How To Manage Cannon Crud
The truth is there is no foolproof management protocol when it comes to cannon crud. Because many horses are genetically predisposed to the issue, the prognosis for complete resolution is poor. However, just because the chances of curing cannon crud are slim to none, doesnt mean that with proper management you and your horse cant live a normal life and achieve your riding dreams. Most of the time, cannon keratosis has no impact on quality of life for the horse and with proper management, the condition can be minimized.
Start by checking the area daily for signs of worsening. Watch for signs of secondary infection, such as increased inflammation, reddening, and oozing. Gentle grooming can help loosen the waxy patches and bring more blood flow to the cannon bone. But whatever you do, dont pick, scrub, or aggressively groom the area. Aggressive grooming can actually worsen cannon keratosis and cause secondary infection by creating minute abrasions on the surface and weakening the skin.
Support your horses skin health and strengthen the dermal barrier by using a topical equine barrier cream. Zarasyls non-toxic and non-irritating formula is perfect for gentle support of the skin without irritating the keratosis. Zarasyl contains a proprietary amorphous silica with a molecular structure tailored to provide sustained delivery of orthosilicic acid to the skin. Orthosilicic acid is the bioavailable form of silicon associated with healthy connective tissue growth.
Natural Remedies For Horse Fungus
If, like me, you prefer a more natural approach, you can use apple cider vinegar instead of an anti-fungal ointment. Apple cider vinegar has strong anti-fungal properties and can help treat ringworm and other similar horse funguses if applied topically. I used it to treat my horses hoof fungus and got great results from applying it topically three times a day.
Other natural remedies include:
- Garlic make a paste by crushing up garlic cloves and combining them with coconut or olive oil, then apply the paste to the affected areas.
- Aloe vera this succulent plant has anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, making it effective in treating superficial horse fungus. Apply the gel to the lesions three or four times a day.
- Turmeric this potent anti-inflammatory also has extensive antimicrobial abilities, which make it an effective treatment for ringworm and other similar horse fungi. It can be added to your horses food and made into a paste for topical application.
Read Also: What Nail Color Is Trending
What Is Fungal Infections
While there are over 70,000 species of fungi, only 50 can cause disease in animals and humans. Of these, there are four classes, which are superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, and deep mycosis. Superficial fungi affect the skin. Cutaneous fungi attack skin as well, but also affect the hair. Subcutaneous fungi are able to spread from the surface of the skin to deep tissue. Deep mycosis is the most serious, attacking the upper and lower respiratory systems. In addition, there are two kinds of fungi, primary and opportunistic. Primary fungi are those that can affect any horse, healthy or sick. Opportunistic fungi attack horses that are immunocompromised by another illness.
There are many types of fungal infections, but there are only about 10 that are common in horses. Some of the most often reported are Conidiobolus coronatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Histoplasma capsulatum and Coccidioides immitis in healthy horses. In immune compromised horses, the most common are Pneumocystis carinii, Aspergillus spp., Candida spp, Fusarium spp and Emmonsia crescens. If your horse has nasal discharge, any kind of skin problems , or a cough, you should see the veterinarian to check for a fungal infection.
Fungal Infections Average Cost
From 514 quotes ranging from $2,000 – $6,000
Average Cost
Protect yourself and your pet. Compare top pet insurance plans.
