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  Discussion on Rain rot?
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Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Friday, Oct 6, 2006 - 12:26 pm:

Dr. O -- I noticed a hive-like lump on the side of my gray Arab's face on Tuesday morning when bathing him for a public function the next day. When removing the saddle from him the next day, he had a couple of large lumps on his side, which I thought were in reaction to insect bites. Last evening this horse was covered with what looked like hives. (I had not personally seen him in the morning because I had a meeting so my husband did the chores) I put some liniment on on "hives" and gave him a dose of Banamine because he was pawing in discomfort. This morning the larger original "hives" on his face and his side had flattened out, leaving a hairless area when washed. I gave him a thorough bath with Rain Rot Relief this morning. Several of the "hives" had turned into smaller draining sores that look like a problem I have experienced this time of year in past years that correspond to the acorn season. I wormed this horse with moxidectin plus the tape worm killing ingredient 9 days ago. The products I used to wash my horse Tuesday were all things I have used in the past with no ill effects. This is a horse with sensitive skin who has experienced a wide variety of skin disorders at various times of the year, but this outbreak almost seems like more than one thing going on. There are smaller sores that had scabbed over that are draining on his legs, body, face, ear, a few on the hairless area under the tail, etc., plus hive-like bumps widespread -- along base of the mane, under the belly, on the sides, only one on the back so far, and right now there are several bumps with heat on one of his hocks. Right now we are going through a dry spell (this horse has had classic "rain rot" in the past during both rainy spells and in dry spells). Having clear fecals twice this year, I waited an extra month before this last worming. Last year was my Ivermectin year and this is my moxidectin year. Do you think this could be in response to something dying off under his skin post-worming? (Onchocerciasis?) There had been a summer sore on his face that finally popped open with contents exiting post-worming, just the day before all the rest of this started. Though this horse has a history of various skin disorders, they usually are self-limiting and respond to prompt topical treatment. A couple of times when antibiotics were prescribed in response to culturing, the conditions did not clear any faster than with just topical treatment. Is it okay to ride a horse like this? I have a team practice Sunday, and am hoping there won't be any open sores in the girth area or under the saddle. Any other ideas or advice? I have read the various articles but am finding it hard to fit this into one category. Thanks for any insight you can give.
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 7:34 pm:

Will answer my own question now since no one has any comment. Seems it is Dermatophillas ("rain rot" though there has been a dry spell). This outbreak seems to be one of the versions of this problem though it is complicated by the hives with very large hives scabbing over in addition to small sores that scab. I've had a lot of skin problems with this gelding, but never hives like this. They are still presenting, so I am hoping nothing is being overlooked, like liver involvement, etc. I rode this horse today at a team practice and he was just fine. I put Vaseline under the girth since he had sores in that area also. He had plenty of energy. Hey Dr. O -- what happened to those Dawgs? We wanted them unbeaten in JAX for the Gator-Bulldogs game.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 10:34 pm:

The Bluetick hunted better than the Bulldog this weekend but that still don't mean the Gators got a chance. We got our first good taste of SEC so we will come better prepared...I love fried gator.
DrO
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 11:32 pm:

Huh?? guess you must have to be from the south!
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Monday, Oct 9, 2006 - 3:06 pm:

There is NOTHING like SEC football. Gators have such a tough schedule -- rough road games coming up. We will see how well the coach prepares the team to cope with what comes along with being unbeaten at this point in the season.
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