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  Discussion on All the signs of Ringworm but not it!
Author Message
Member:
Jeng

Posted on Friday, Sep 9, 2005 - 4:07 am:

It seems to be one thing after another at the moment, this time its a skin infection on my 8yr old mare.
She was away schooling for a month and when I collected her last week I noticed about three lesions on her shoulder.
One of which was very slightly bleeding and crusty.
My first reaction was that it was ringworm. However the owner of the yard had no other cases. I contacted my vet anyway, who didn't think the lesions quite fitted the 'ringworm' bill.
He took a sample for lab testing all the same which came back as having no spores, although a full report should follow in a week.
I am still washing her down with the ringworm solution (vet told me to do it for a week). I really don't think its making any difference and I've noticed that further bumps are appearing now up towards the mane (just on one side at the moment). My vet said that if the condition worsened he would put her on antibiotics, but I'd really like to know what exactly is being treated.

Does anyone have any idea as to what this might be?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Sep 9, 2005 - 6:32 am:

Hello Jenny,
I am assuming that hair loss is a common factor here. We have lots of ideas Jenny and we tell you how to differentiate them at Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Overview of Hair Loss & Irritated Skin.
DrO
Member:
Jeng

Posted on Friday, Sep 9, 2005 - 8:33 am:

Hi DrO,

Thanks for the direction. I read the article and any associated documents. A bit stumped as the symptons still seem to point to ringworm. Am I correct in saying that if a full lab test was carried out on the sample ringworm would have showed up? The articles stated that the DTM should show within a week, so I am assuming that the lab carried out a microscopic examination which should be fairly conclusive.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Sep 10, 2005 - 9:10 am:

Neither scraping nor the DTM is 100% diagnostic Jenny. What are you using to treat this?
DrO
Member:
Jeng

Posted on Monday, Sep 12, 2005 - 4:48 am:

Hi DrO,
My vet gave me a captan solution, just in case. But said that he would come out again, hopefully today and start her on a course of antibiotics.
Its getting worse as far as I can see. just on on shoulder, not large lesions, quite small - she looks a bit flea bitten to be quite honest.

Jen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Sep 12, 2005 - 6:52 am:

I still can't picture your lesions, perhaps if you could post a picture? Instead of systemic antibiotics it would strike me as better to use a topical that would kill both ringworm and bacteria, at least as long as this is superficial. I like chlorhexidine sprays myself.
DrO
Member:
Jeng

Posted on Monday, Sep 12, 2005 - 9:08 am:

Hi DrO, I will try and get a picture this evening. Is the chlorhexidine available over the counter do you know? or is it supplied by the vet?

Thank you again.
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Monday, Sep 12, 2005 - 6:01 pm:

Hello Jenny,

I have been following your post with interest as my gelding has been afflicted with unexplained skin conditions; see this thread;

I suppose pictures would be helpful and maybe some history of housing and weather conditions.
Member:
Jeng

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 - 4:14 am:

Hi Susan,
Goodness me you have had a bad run of it!
I read through everything and now feel like a bit of a drama queen as to be honest my mare isn't have as bad as your boy. How are things now?

I tried to take a picture yesterday evening but the digital is on the blink, will try again.
Her spots are tiny by comparison to lasers, about the size of a finger nail. Starting in bumps and then loosing the hair. To be honest there isn't much crusting and oozing at all now, there only seemed to be one that was an issue. But having seen your pictures there is absolutely no comparison.
I started her on chlorhexidine as DrO suggested and we'll see if that makes a difference. The vet is back out this morning as where there was only 3 or 4 now theres about ten...looks quite strange as I do tend to dab her with Sudacream also which results in a Appy in reverse!

On the housing and history. This happened when she was at another yard for a month. She was getting intensively schooled, so indoor most of the time. She had been in one box, happy as larry, for the first 3 weeks and was then moved to another...I suspect that she picked something up in that box as the problem only seemed to arise then.
She has been back home now for two weeks and is still in full work but out most of the time. She is well in herself and competing and simply looks a bit flea-bitten. Might I also add that the rest of her coat is very healthy with plenty of shine. She does have 2 rough patches on the points of her hips but thats unrelated, caused by her habit when travelling to lean.

I will provide an update as soon as I hear any word.

Tks a mil, Jen
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 - 11:16 am:

Hello Jenny,
Laser is fine now and we have no missing fur or bumps.
The chlorhexidine was in a cream preparation called "Hibitane".
Hopefully the winter won't bring this on again whatever it was.
I hope you are able to post a picture.

Susan B.
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