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Discussion on Scratches contagious from the soil ?
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 5:52 pm:
Hi Dr. O, been a long time since i have posted anything ...
I noticed my mare has scratches on a front black leg.. our conditions are VERY dry , no dew in the pastures in the morning ...
I haul her out to a neighbors barn 4 days a week.. I told my trainer i thought she had scratches as she has some "wart like" nobs and her leg is slightly swollen .. She commended that they can get it from the sand ???
I was hosing her off and showed the barn manager , she said oh yes that is scratches and they can get it from the sand ????
So is it in the sand , thus contagious ?
Thanks for any advice here ,,
On the first day God created horses , on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 12:00 pm:
Hello Ann,
Scratches, infectious superficial dermatitis of the lower legs, is not a single disease but can be caused by a number of organisms. Dermatophilus can be a cause and is a frequently isolated soil organism. This may be what your friend is talking about. Usually the horses immune system and a intact healthy skin prevent infection.
DrO
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Member:
paul303
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Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - 1:30 am:
Ann, Since you specify a black leg, I doubt that you could be having the same problem I had...but I treated "scratches" for over 2 years ( in spring, summer, and fall ). It turned out to be a problem with Alsike clover that had started taking over my pasture. I, too, was told that it was the dirt and sand, but in my case, it was the clover. Just a thought.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - 9:38 am:
Thank you Lee and Dr. O .. as of today i have it under control .
I scrubbed all 4 legs daily after riding with surgical scrub them dried completely . I put on the affected leg TODAY , the cow mastitis ointment you buy at the ranch supply .. I normally use TOMORROW but they were all out of it .. anyway 3 treatments and the slight swelling is gone and the scabs are gone as well ..
I just thought it odd that it was in the sand ..
On the first day God created horses on the second day he painted them spots ..
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Member:
npo33901
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 13, 2013 - 7:00 am:
My horse has screeches every DRY summer . I use KERATEX powder . Apply it twice a day . I try to prevent it by watching for a very pink skin, than I start powdering the place (beck legs in my case) . It may be just one foot, but than I am vigilant with the other.
My second horse never gets it.
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