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  Discussion on Bumps, scabs, flaking, and itching
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New Member:
Amylacy

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 4:58 pm:

I have a two-year-old Miniature Horse stallion, who has had a somewhat poor hair coat (rough-looking) for some time despite a balanced diet and in good weight. Initially presented with a dandruff-like flaking in the mane area. He was tail-rubbing, but not for a long time now.

After body clipping a month ago, he has developed bumps over his back, sides, and down his haunches. These scab and do take hair with them when removed. The bumps are about 1/4" across. He is blanketed. The flaking is now throughout his coat, mane, and tailhead. He is very itchy. He is blanketed.

I am not sure what is causing this, I have not seen any bugs or nits to indicate lice, but have never seen them before so I am not sure. He is very itchy, so might rule out rain rot.

I have nine horses on the premises, and he is the only one showing any symptoms.

I do have chickens on-site, but they do not have direct contact.

Thanks for any information you can provide.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 5:32 pm:

Amy the acute scabing disease is dermatophillus, see Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Hair Loss / Itching / Irritated Skin » Rain Rot and Rain Scald: Dermatophillus.

Some horses get itchy with rain rot but it does leave open other possibilities. Did the itching start when the scabbing started? Just in case you have external parasites you might give a double dose of iverectin twice 21 days apart but it may be the itching will disappear once the dermatophillus goes away. You should OK the double dose of ivermectin with your veterinarian.
DrO
Member:
Amylacy

Posted on Thursday, Mar 31, 2005 - 3:51 pm:

Thanks so much, Dr. Oglesby! His itching definitely intensified as the scabbing spread. He has had the dandruff since I bought him last summer, just thought he had dry skin. The scabbing really started showing up when I body-clipped him about six weeks ago.

I had given ivermectin to him at about 1-1/2 times his weight the night before last, so will have to hold off for a week before dosing him again. Washed him in the Micro Tek shampoo last night and followed up w/ the Micro Tek spray. I really looked into his mane hair last night to see if I could see any movement, but I could not. Will I need a magnifying glass to see it, if it is lice?

Thanks again!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 1, 2005 - 6:18 am:

It depends on how good your eyes are Amy, they are very small and I can no longer focus on them without my glasses or a magnifying glass. If you had lice you may have trouble finding them after the dose of ivermectin.

We have had other members have success with MicroTek but I have never been able to tell how much triclosan is in it so if you have trouble getting it under control follow our instructions in the article.
DrO
Member:
Amylacy

Posted on Friday, Apr 15, 2005 - 12:55 pm:

Well, I have had the vet out this week, and there are still questions about the condition of my colt. The pattern does not represent dermatophillus according to my vet. A large percentage of it is bumps under the skin. Some have scabbed, and it does take hair with it when removed. He is so itchy it is driving him crazy. He has a "lacing" pattern in his haircoat on his back, and she told me that there might be some indication of an auto-immune or immune response?? There is an example of the pattern at this web link: https://members.aol.com/stripedhos/giraffe.htm

My vet is looking this up in her reference material. Are you familiar with this, and is there anything I can read anywhere about this? And what I can do to help my horse, he is very uncomfortable?
Member:
Amylacy

Posted on Friday, Apr 15, 2005 - 1:38 pm:

Update from vet: she looked it up and thinks it is called Variegated Leukotricha (sp?). She made copies of some literature for me and I will pick it up this afternoon.

Any thoughts or information about this condition?

Thanks!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 15, 2005 - 10:22 pm:

What does your literature say Amy? I am familiar with the condition, but have not seen a case. I don't remember the pruritis and bumps you have associated with it. We are traveling this weekend so don't have access to my library to double check this.
DrO
Member:
Amylacy

Posted on Monday, Apr 18, 2005 - 11:06 am:

Well, I read the literature, and I think I have two different things going on here. He definitely has the reticulated pattern across his back, but I am assured by many in the mini breed that this is a common pattern, and the literature does say there appears to be a genetic component. There does seem to be a large patch of the bumps and dry itching skin right at the end of the patterning.

However, there are also bumps down each side, a large patch behind one elbow, and also on his rump, both sides, down low. He is extremely itchy, and the bumps don't seem painful at all, as he will seek out scratching to help him relieve the itching.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 - 11:08 am:

I have found a form of reticulated leukotrichia that is preceded by inflammatory episodes in the skin and is thought to be a congenital form of autoimmune disease Amy. It has also been associated with herpes virus infection and vaccination. In some cases it is exacerbated following vaccination.

What is the nature of the bumps Amy. If you are having trouble describing them see, Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Bumps / Nodules / Warts / Tumors » Overview of Bumps, Nodules, Warts & Tumors for help.
DrO
Member:
Amylacy

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005 - 9:57 am:

OK, I didn't want to respond until I got home and really examined him using that guide.

He has papules, they move with the skin (the skin doesn't move over them). Some have scabs on them which scrape off like dermatophillus. Others have no scabbing. He does not appear to have any on his head, neck or underbelly, and I only found 1 on his legs. Although he has them all over his trunk, there are patches that are concentrated on his back, following along the reticulated pattern. All of these are very itchy, not painful to my observation.

I am considering taking him in to biopsy the bumps. Do you think it will help diagnose or help with treatment of them? What about the itching; is there an oral medication that can help with it systemically? Or some sort of topical like a calamine lotion?

Thanks for your help, Dr. O. This is a nice little show stallion, I really want to get him cleared up so he can get to some shows this year!

Amy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 21, 2005 - 6:25 am:

Before pursing the autoimmune option Amy, if they look like dermatophillus you should treat for dermatophillus. I see where you used the Microtek above, instead follow our recommendations in the article on dermatophillus. One thing extra is that since yours has a histimine component (he may actually be allergic to the dermatophillus, besides a primary infection) I recommend a antihistimine but not any of the commonly used ones in equine medicine like pyrilamine which is ineffective. Instead see the recommendations in Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Hair Loss / Itching / Irritated Skin » Overview of Scratching & Rubbing. If this fails, a skin biopsy is called for.
DrO
Member:
Amylacy

Posted on Thursday, Apr 21, 2005 - 12:39 pm:

Thanks, DrO, I had already bought and used the betadine scrub, will do again when I get back from the show this weekend, and also read the other article and start him on an antihistimine. The thought that he might be allergic to the dermatophillus had never even crossed my mind!
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