i don't know alot about this, because none of my horses have ever had it, i know it is a skin condition that causes loss of hair!
But could some tell me how it happens, what it is exactly and is it easy treated.
Please!
I don't mind working at it and getting him healthy as long as i know that when a horse gets it he isn't prone to it and as long as it isn't contagious and doesn't cause any permanant problems!
Please let me know, im goin to look at him this weekend so i take a picture of his rain rot!
thanks!
:)How To Treat Rain Rot?
Dermatophilus congolensis (';rain rot';) grows better with a lack of oxygen. Since the organism doesn't like oxygen, you'll have to eliminate a the heavy hair coat (if your horse's hair is long and thick), and remove any scabs that hold the organism to the horse's skin.
It is not a good idea to use ointments on rain rot, since they hold moisture to the skin (and moisture needs to be removed for the condition to cease).
The best treatment is to wash the horse with antimicrobial and antibacterial shampoos and rinses. These medications help to kill the dermatophilus congolensis organism. If Betadine, Phenol or Nolvasan is used, you should continue applying them once a day for one week.
THE TREATMENT:
1. Keep the horse in a dry, clean area that is very well ventilated. Give the horse protection against biting insects. Separate the horse from any others that also have rain rot.
2. Use an antimicrobal shampoo that lathers well. Vigorously lather the horse, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. Be sure to follow with a conditioner that works well. Continue this for daily for 1 week.
3. Remove all scabs that are present. This is usually painful for the horse, so be gentle! The best way I have seen to remove these scabs is to temporarily moisten them (so they become soft and easy to remove). Be sure to dry the horse immediately after scab removal.
4. The organism in the horse's skin must be killed. This can be done by using any of the products listed below.
SEVERE CASES ONLY: for severe cases, antibiotics may be used. These include potassium penicillin, procaine penicillin G, sodium ampicillin, streptomycin or gentamycin. Immune-boosting drugs may also be needed for the horse's immune system to fight off the organism and heal. If your horse has a severe case of rain rot, make an appointment with your veterinarian and discuss the antibiotics listed above.How To Treat Rain Rot?
i have never had to deal with rain rot but i know a ton of people that swear by lysterine the mouth wash, or athletes foot powder as rain rot is also a fungus. i know people that have used MTG as well. the first 2 option ore a listle strange, but if they work they work and if they do i would think they will be cheaper then stuff that is made to treat the rain rot. you wil have to apply it for a few days and make sure it gets down to the skin and eventually you will go to put in on and the scabs will come off
Most horses get it at some time.
Some people say it's contagious, I don't believe it is.
Just try to keep them as clean as possible, no small feat if they live outside where they like it best.
If it is cold out side I just comb as much of it out with a flea comb as I can.
I work on it a little at a time.
If it's warm enough to bathe them I do just that, Selsun Blue or Head and Shoulders works nicely.
I've never seen anything permanent come of it.
Rain rot or rain scald is one of the most common skin diseases in horses. This condition can be present in any horse around the world, but is most common in areas with high humidity and hot temperatures combined with heavy, drawn out periods of rainfall.
This provides the perfect conditions for the organism that causes Rain Rot to reproduce and flourish. Though it is not a life-threatening condition, Rain Scald on a horse can cause great discomfort.
Rain rot or dermatophilosis can appear as:
Large crust-like scabs
Matted tufts of hair
Dozens of tiny scabs (pink with pus when the scabs are removed)
Small lumps on the horsesskin or hair (early stages)
As you asked specifically, cause are:
The organism Dermatophilus congolense is responsible for the condition called rain rot. This organism is not a fungus, but it behaves like both bacteria and fungi. This organism is carried on the horse鈥檚 skin, and with a weakened immune system, it may then develop into rain rot.
Causes that may contribute to rain rot include:
Shared contaminated barns, saddle blankets, leg wraps and brushes.
Extreme moisture (Horses with thick coats tend to suffer).
Damaged skin (by a cut or scrape) allows the organism to enter.
Poor stable management, damp stalls with poor ventilation and.
Some basic tips
Disinfect everything you use on multiple horses. This includes anything you use on an infected horse such as halters, saddle pads and brushes. Favorite rubbing spots like a stall door or fence should also be disinfected.
During wet weather keep your horse under shelter, or use a rainproof and breathable blanket.
Keep your horse in a dry, clean area that is well ventilated.
Give your horse added protection against biting insects (if you use a net, be sure your horse cannot get stuck in it).
Isolate a horse with rain rot from any others.
Wash your hands thoroughly after working with an infected horse.
Help for Rain Rot
Dermatophilus congolensis thrives in areas with no air so removing the hair from affected spots is key. Scab removal is also recommended, allowing the organism exposure to oxygen. Do this with care, as it may be sore for your horse.
Try wetting the scab first, for easier removal, then cleanse the wound with an anti-bacterial shampoo, and pat dry. For severe cases, antibiotics such as penicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin or gentamycin may be used. Immune-boosting drugs may also be recommended for the horse鈥檚 immune system.
Note: If your horse has a severe case of rain rot, discuss treatment with your veterinarian and discuss the antibiotics listed above and possible side-effects. Dangerous secondary bacterial infections known are staphylococcus (staph), and streptococcus (strep).
Natural Remedies
Natural and holistic treatments have been used for centuries to help boost the immune system as well as promote healthy skin and shiny coats and manes. Herbs such as Yarrow, Nettle, Echinacea and Hawthorn help to support the immune system and promote healing using nature鈥檚 medicine chest.
Borage is a well-known herb high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). This herb has been studied for its supportive effects on the skin and can help to support the production natural oils in the horse coat. Horsetail has also been approved as an aid to wound healing by the German Commission E expert panel, while herbs such as dandelion, Rosemary and Kelp can help to strengthen the immune system while nourishing the skin from the inside out.
Spirulina is a rich source of nutrients, containing up to 70% protein, B-complex vitamins, phycocyanin, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and numerous minerals helping to add nutrient value to a horse鈥檚 diet. The added bonus of natural remedies, of course, is a stunning shine without the risk of side effects!
You may get details on these remedies over here http://www.healthherbsandnutrition.com/p and http://www.healthherbsandnutrition.com/p
Mordivan is correct, although I differ on what is the best treatment. This is a bacterial infection caused by anaerobic microbes called dermatophilus congolensis. It is not caused by a fungus, so antifungal medicines will do nothing to eradicate it. It is definitely contagious, not only to other horses, but also to humans. I have treated human infections with this bacterium, so be sure to use preventive hygiene when you deal with the exudate beneath the scabs, and clean all tack or equipment that comes in contact with it.
The bacteria have never been isolated in soil, and are spread from one animal to another where they then live dormant in skin. Anything that compromises skin integrity, like inflammations and wounds, or a dark damp environment such as may occur under a blanket or heavy coat, can allow the bacteria to begin to multiply and form lesions.
The treatment I use is the least irritating to the skin, which means it doesn't further compromise the healthy tissues needed to fight the infection and heal. Anything abrasive, such as vigorous currying, will only spread the infection and drive it into deeper tissues. The key is to be very gentle when you remove the scabs by hand.
When it affects deeper tissues, you may need systemic antibiotics to cure it. There will be painful swelling and inflammation of skin tissue when this is the case.
I use 0.9% isotonic saline to soak the scabs and cleanse the sores. Saline is a salt water solution. You can buy it at any drugstore. I use cotton pads to wet the scabs with saline, and let it sit. The salt in saline will soften the scabs. Isotonic saline is balanced with body fluids, so it will do no harm to healthy tissues. The salt will also dehydrate and kill the bacteria.
Once the scabs are softened, I use cotton pads to gently remove them, then wash the sores beneath with saline. Then I completely dry the sores. If there is a heavy coat, you can use a hair dryer or UV light to finish drying it, or clean towels to absorb the wet. I have never found it necessary to clip the hair coat. doing this leaves the skin more vulnerable and unprotected, and I wouldn't recommend it. Just get the hair dried well after you apply treatment.
This is all you need to do. By getting the scabs off and cleaning the sores, you have exposed the skin to air, which is deadly to anaerobic bacteria since they only thrive where there is no oxygen. if the horse must be returned to wet conditions, you can also use a thin layer of EMT ointment to act as a barrier to the moisture. If at all possible, don't blanket your horse. this only creates the dark, damp environment that d. congolensis thrives on.
Also, if you have to protect any bleeding sores from insects, I recommend using a thin layer of EMT ointment over the thoroughly dried sores. This is a hydrolyzed collagen gel that adheres well and promotes healing better than any other product I've ever used. I use it for all wounds and lesions.
You can buy EMT at tractor and farm supply stores, or online. Buy the one formulated for equines.
This treatment clears it up within a couple days.
If you have a particularly bad case, you are better off to just get the vet to administer systemic antibiotics to clear it up.
Heyy, My horses have had this before, I know it normally comes in spring when it's muddy and wet. If your horse is in a damp, wet area all the time I know they get it. If you have a Horse store near you, Like a TSC (Tractor Supply Co.)Or a tack shop of some sort, go there and ask for a medication. What I use to treat my horse is called ';MTG'; I don't know what it stands for, But if you want it to heal, you go out there everyday, peel the scabbs off and put some sort of medication on it, It is contagious (very contagious) It isn't really anything other than a fungus so Unless you want anymore of your horses (if you have any) to get it, I would put him/her in a dry stall area till thee fungus heals. They normally get it on there bellies, and legsm And sides, (When they lay in a wet ucky area) (: I hope I helped!(: P.s The hair does grow back afterwords and all that and you won't be able to tell they ever had it when it's gone!(:
it is not hard to treat, you have to get all the scabs off and wash him with head and sholders shampoo. once you get all the scabs off than it will go away. the scabs do not hurt him but they might hurt a little when you go to get them off. you need to find out how long the horse has had it becuse rain rot if left untreated can cause staff infection.probably anything longer than 2 weeks might make him get sick.do not use any kind of cream on the scabs because this will hold the fungus in and you need to get it off.you can use vasaline to soften the scabs becuse the skin can still breath with vasaline. rain raot is caused by not brushing a horse after riding or being left in the rain and they roll and get dirt all over them. once they get rain rot they will most likly get it again, unless you clean them alot and keep them out of alot of rain. rain rot can be passed on to other horses, because rain rot is a fungus and whse the horse rolls than it will get in the ground. but check to see if he is coughing or has a runny nose and give him some pinaciline for it.
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