This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Scratches, Grease Heel, Dew Poisoning, & Mud Fever »
  Discussion on Treatments for Scratches
Author Message

Posted on Thursday, Aug 22, 2002 - 11:43 am:

I have reviewed a lot of articles and messages here that suggest how best to treat Scratches. I'm going to try a mixture of Desitin, Neosporin, Cortizone cremes. If I read everything correctly, Scratches is a fungal condition. Does it make sense for me to add an Anti-fungal creme to my mixture? If so which one? Can I use an over-the-counter Anti-Fungal?

Thanks.
Andrea

Posted on Friday, Aug 23, 2002 - 6:32 am:

No Andrea, scratches is a bacterial infection. The probable causes are covered in the article Equine Diseases: Skin Diseases: Scratches, Grease Heel, Dew Poisoning, & Mud Fever.
DrO

Posted on Friday, Aug 23, 2002 - 9:42 am:

Dr. O. I guess I missed the boat...Thank you very much for clarifying this. Can I assume then that adding more Neosporin (or other anti-bacterial creams) would only increase the effectiveness of treating this?

While reading through other posts on this topic, I noticed a lot of mention of Panalog. What is this? Where would I find it?

Thanks again.

Posted on Friday, Aug 23, 2002 - 10:04 pm:

the best i have found in treating scratches is diaper cream.. and lots of it... i only washed the sores one time... after that just kept the cream on it thick.....


it worked....


ann

Posted on Friday, Aug 23, 2002 - 10:57 pm:

Hi, Andrea last year my gelding got scratches bad. I tried everything mentioned here all summer and it would get better then get worse again. His fetlocks swelled up pretty good from it also, so I finally broke down and called the vet. He gave me dermagen which is like panalog I think. and a week of azium I think and it completely disappeared in 2 weeks and has never retuned. I spent more money on the home recipes then the meds from the vet. Good Luck

Posted on Saturday, Aug 24, 2002 - 9:38 am:

The above two posts pretty much sum up dozens of others Andrea, it always seems that we get these two opinions: either diaper cream (Desitin) or Panalog-like medications work but frequently not both. I believe there are a number of causes of scratches as outlined in the article. Which type you have and to some degree what environmental problems you have, effects which treatment is most effective. It getting wet is a problem, Desitin is critical, if it is an allergic type problem you have to have steroids in the mix.... Recently we even had someone throw in mite infestations into this group which obviously needs a miticide.

Panalog is a combination, antibacterial, antifungal, corticosteroid that is available in a vanishing creme formula. I think its cheief claim to fame is stong antimicrobial and steroid, these are more potent than over the counter cremes but the increase cost means I usually try the over the counter treatments first.
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Aug 24, 2002 - 7:44 pm:

Dr O -
Where can you find the creme formula? I have asked the vets in my area and not one has heard of it!

I have been trying the greasy panalog with no success....

Posted on Monday, Aug 26, 2002 - 6:25 am:

They can get it from the same supplier who provides them with the ointment. Both are manufactured by Fort Dodge. There is a generic alternative called Derma-Vet.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC