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  Discussion on Not sure of skin condition
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Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2002 - 3:39 pm:

Today I noticed my 17 year old mare had several spots on her under-belly, and also under her right shoulder area (arm pit) on humans. The spots of her belly appeared very moist and the color was clear to light yellow. The area under her right shoulder (arm pit) I noticed the skin was red and raw, and this area too was very moist. There didnt seem to be any scabs associated with these areas. I noticed these spots on my mare at 10am this morning. I went back at 2pm, and saw they were still very moist and raw looking; they appeared to be oozing moisture. Any help Doc?

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 22, 2002 - 6:36 am:

Anthony I am unsure exactly what you are describing but it sounds like it might be a girth sore that is now weeping serum? Trauma from some other cause?
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 22, 2002 - 11:44 am:

Thanks for your reply Doc. I had a vet come out who diagnosed her with a fungal infection, stating he has seen it in other horses. especially those with long hair. He also said stress can be a factor. I asked about the rain rot, and he said no, as rain rot usually occurs further up, and not normally on their bellies. He gave her a shot, and the only thing I can remember was that there was Vitamin A in it. He also said something about a lack of fatty acids. Anyhow he said the shot will kill the fungus from the inside out. Thanks again Doc, I'll let you know how things go with her.

Anthony

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2002 - 8:31 am:

Hello Tony,
What is in this injection? I know of no single shot you can give a horse that will kill skin funguses nor any skin funguses that present this way.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2002 - 8:49 am:

Yes Doc, thanks again. The vet that treated my mare gave her a injection that contained vitamin A, and an antibiotic, and something else that I couldn't quite understand as he was giving info to his secretary over a hand held radio. Secretary said she couldn't make it out either, but would get that information back to me. Thanks again.

Anthony

Posted on Friday, Feb 1, 2002 - 11:51 am:

Doc, I guess I have a couple of questions, I have read all of your articles on rain rot, ringworm etc. First let me say that we dont have a full time equine vet in our area, they are called large animal vets here. I have contacted my vet in Williamsport (who is a full time equine vet) that I use for special conditions. He hasn't seen my mare yet as he has been busy the past two days with surgeries etc; however, I did speak to him over the phone. He started me on ruling out parasites, and advised me to use Ivermectin, than after 7 days treat with Ivermectin again, if no improvement, we can rule out parasties. He also suspects an allergy of some kind or infection (bacterial or fungal). The vet wants me to wait and see how the ivermectin does first, then proceed further. I neglected to ask about rain rot, but will when he comes down to see my mare (hopefully soon) Question #1 Does rain rot ooze a liquid on its own without peeling off scabs? My 2nd question is, if my mare needs a betadine scrubbing on the affected areas, which is better, a betadine solution or a betadine scrub?

Thanks Doc, you've been great.

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 6, 2002 - 9:04 pm:

Ok Doc, I have read the article on Onchocerciasis, and my vet did mention this condition, and judging by her symptoms, that's what she has. The oozing, the crusting, the scabbing, the irritating redness on her skin, and it started on her chest and belly. Doc, are there any good antibiotic/cremes out there, you would recommend?

Thanks,
Anthony

Posted on Thursday, Feb 7, 2002 - 7:26 am:

Hello Tony,
I posted to your previous post but apparently neglected to push the last post button.

I don't think onchocerciasis is likely in a horse that is dewormed regularly with ivermectin or Quest. I still think infection is most likely, the question I cannot answer from here is what kind, though dermatophillus is most likely. Recommendations for specific treatment are in the article.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 7, 2002 - 9:10 am:

First of all thanks for your reply. My problem is just that doc, my mare hasn't been dewormed regularly with Ivermectin or Quest, and I can kick myself for not doing so. If you recall my previous posts in the deworming section, my mare had been dewormed rotationally, and then after your advice, I put her on Strongid C. She had been doing well with that process; however, I had to move her to a new farm this past November, where there are 4 other horses, and a good deworming program. Now understand my mare is insecure, and became unsettled with the move, so much so, that she went off her feed; therefore, she wasn't getting her strongin C for a good while. In early December, I dewormed her with Ivermectin, and in late January she started to get her present condition: a yellow liquid oozing out of her skin that started on her belly, and under her right arm. This then progressed all over her body including her face. She is also crusty and scabby. I do pick off the scabs with my fingernails, and hair is attached to the scab. I guess it's either dermatophillus or Onchoceriasis. My vet here hasnt seen her yet, and he believes that based on her symptoms she has Onchoceriasis. If you have other thoughts on this I'd appreciate your reply. Thanks again!
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