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  Discussion on Question behavior
Author Message
Member:
Callieme

Posted on Sunday, Nov 27, 2005 - 1:34 am:

My 25 year old thourghbred's behavior has changed this past week. When I try to groom him he pins back his ears and tries to walk away. He never really has seemed to enjoy grooming, but would tolerate it.

He also has tried to nip my hand when I pet him on his neck and body. If I pet his head he is OK. Again he has ears pinned down. It doesn't appear to be one area of his body that he reacts this way. He has had a small amount of white discharge from nose the last 2 days.

I was gone for 4 days within the last 2 weeks. Everything else seems Ok appetite fine. Haven't taken temp will do that today.
Any suggestions or ideas ?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 27, 2005 - 5:51 pm:

It would seem his skin in hurting Lisa. We have reports like this often and most turn out to be the very early stages of dermatophillus. For more see Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Rain Rot and Rain Scald: Dermatophillus.
DrO
Member:
Callieme

Posted on Monday, Nov 28, 2005 - 12:52 am:

I am not seeing any scabs, but it sort of looks like the summer rain rot. He is not losing any hair. To me it seems like dandruff. How can I determine for sure if it is rain rot? could it be just dry skin? He did have that during summer and I used a coat conditioner and it went away.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Nov 28, 2005 - 6:38 am:

You can't but the painful skin in combination with the dandruffy flakes are pretty incriminating. I would use the recommendations in the article.
DrO
Member:
Callieme

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2005 - 10:59 pm:

I am still not sure about rain rot. I have been reading and am questioning whether it might be midges or orchoa- don't know spelling. Do want to investigate 1 more day. I have been using daily wormer and didn't know I should use ivermectin twice a year. Used in March 05
Also, I just recalled that 2 years ago ( I did not own horse- he lost all his hair in the winter) Former owner didn't know why. If I treat for rain rot where do I get the spray as I am unable to shampoo due to no barn and 30 degree weather? Thank you for your patience with a greenie who has no one to access for help except having vet make farm call which is very expensive due to distance.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 10:26 am:

Midges seem unlikely with 30 degree weather and drug stores carry Betadine (generic name povidone solution). Seems to be time for another ivermectin deworming too. You should read our articles on deworming concerning the long time use of daily Strongid.
DrO
Member:
Callieme

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 10:48 pm:

Will read articles and had already bought ivermectin. I planned on taking him off Strongid as soon as it was gone. When he was boarded I had to put him on that as all horses were on it.
I have betadine or are you talking about a spray that doesn't need to be washed off? I don't feel I should bathe him in 30 degree weather. Or am I wrong? I don't have a barn just a lean to.

Thank you
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 - 7:14 am:

30 is pretty cool for a full shampoo and rinse and regular betadine spray can be used to spot treat your horse. If a generalized flakyness is all that is evident and you are unable to bathe, I might just consider waiting for the horse to get over this acute phase, it will pass. If he starts to form scabs you can clean up those areas and apply the Betadine. If you are determined to get back in the saddle quickly you could treat the areas the tack will come into contact with.
DrO
Member:
Maggienm

Posted on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 - 8:44 am:

I have used MTG with great success. I have used extremely bad dandruff. I would spray it on, rub it in and blanket as usual. It is a bit greasy but it does work in. After several treatments last winter my mares'dandruff cleared up and in the spring when it finally warmed up enough to bath her, for the first time in two years her coat was silky soft with no flakes.
The biggest drawback is the stuff stinks.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 - 9:51 am:

Lori, I forget what is in the MTG?
DrO
Member:
Callieme

Posted on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 - 11:25 am:

Don't want to shampoo and will try MTG DR O If you think it is OK(what is it and where to get)?

Thanks Lori-
Member:
Trouble

Posted on Friday, Dec 2, 2005 - 11:18 am:

you could also try MicroTek (sp?) spray (can get it at www.valleyvet.com) you can spot spray it on just the infected areas. I was surprised at how quickly it got rid of my gelding's rain rot.
Member:
Juliem

Posted on Saturday, Dec 3, 2005 - 12:15 am:

Ditto on the MicroTek. It cleared up rainrot under my geldings dense heavy mane. Julie
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