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  Discussion on Oozing, stinky sores
Author Message
New Member:
Lindy

Posted on Saturday, Dec 7, 2002 - 12:29 am:

My 22 yr.old mare appeared to have scratched the hair off a 1/2" x 3/4" spot on her back. I applied a topical salve. After about 10 days the spot started to ooze a foul smelling amber liquid & more spots appeared on her neck, withers,& haunches. My vet says he does not know what it is. He took blood & reported back that her blood count was normal & the liver & kidneys appeared ok. He gave her an injection of dexamethasone & sent me home with 3 days worth of dexamethsone powder. Today the sores are still oozing & she is getting a large edema on her belly. She is eating & drinking normally. This mare has a history of allergies (itchy skin all summer) & she has an enlarged thyroid gland. She is under weight & I have been feeding her beet pulp, alfalfa & timothy hay. I also give her msm.
Does anyone know what this could be?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2002 - 7:34 am:

Hello Linda,
Where exactly is the sore located, what is the name of the salve, and what is in it?
DrO
Member:
Lindy

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2002 - 11:23 pm:

The original sore was in the middle of her back 2 inches down from her spine. The salve I used was bags balm. When the sores started oozing, I stopped using anything topical on them. There are now about 10 sores on her back, neck & haunches. They vary in size from 1" to 3 x 4". I have one more day of the dexamethasone powder. My vet says we could put her on an antibiotic in case it is some kind of staph infection or I could take her to the vet school in Pullman, Wa. What are the pros & cons of putting her on the antibiotic without really knowing what is causing this?
Thank You for your help,
Lindy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 - 7:52 am:

That is a much clearer picture Lindy, take a look at the article in this section on Dermatophillus (» Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Rain Rot and Rain Scald: Dermatophillus). If this is an infection, the dexamethasone is not a good treatment, see the article for more on this.

Concerning diagnosing and treating the weight loss see the article » Equine Diseases » Colic and GI Diseases » Weight Loss in Horses » Diagnosing Chronic Weight Loss. Be sure to follow the links from the article about older horses which will also lead you to Cushinoid disease in horses which may effect your horse.
DrO
Member:
Lindy

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 - 8:43 pm:

Thank you. I read about the dermatophillus, it does seem like a possibility. What about the large edema? does that go with dermatophillus? It starts between her front legs & runs back along her belly line. It is 3" wide & 20" long. Feels like it is filled with fluid. I have no hot water outside so bathing her in our 32 degree weather is going to be difficult. Any suggestions on how to bath her would be appreciated. Thank You.
Lindy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002 - 7:21 am:

Yes it is possible, but that is not the same as saying it is the cause. Factors that would increase the index of suspension would be:
  • if it appeared at the same time,
  • a good physical exam by the vet revealed no other possible causes,
  • the lab work is portrayed accurately.

The way this would happen is the infection causes fluid to form under the skin and gravity pulls it ventrally. To learn more about this and learn about other causes see: » Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses.

Until the weather improves you could use the antibiotic regimen and just treating the sores as the article suggests. Just as important is for you to be sure you address the weight loss problems and other problems that may be present. However the shampoos are important so you need to see if you can find some arrangements for it. Also important is the poor nutritional status and the possible Cushinoid disease. Both are immunosuppresive which maybe why the problem is occuring.
DrO
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