Horses and ringworm?

Question

We got a colt about 2 1/2 weeks ago and 2 days ago he started to lose hair, (normal in the morning, big scabby bald patches by the afternoon). We called the vet who thinks it is probably ringworm. He took samples and is going to check under the microscope and also culture them. We were given an antifungal, which we have washed him and all his grooming tools, rugs headcollars etc with.
I know it's really contagious and we are isolating him and wearing gloves when handling him. The person who owns our livery yard has told us that the stuff from the vet doesn't work and we should wash him in cattle wormer and cover the patches in grease. We have no intentions of doing this, but I was wondering if there is anything else we can do to help him recover as quickly as possible because he can't be turned out because he isn't cut yet, and the yard owner is worried about him getting in with the mares, and now we aren't allowed to loose school him now, in case it passes onto the other horses.

This means he is only getting to walk out in hand. I was wondering if there is anything more we can do to speed up his recovery, and also how long he will be infectious for as he is now getting no contact with other horses at all.

Answer 1

This site has information for if YOU catch ringworm, to clear it up fast:
http://www.dermatechrx.com/ringworm/?gclid=CLKgsvKm14oCFSYSQgodixBXgw

If left untreated, most ringworm cases ‘self cure’ in 6-12 weeks. In most cases this is too long a time to wait because of the risk of spread to other horses. Horses with ringworm are also prohibited from competing or racing and are unable to travel abroad. Therefore, apart from the need to relieve the horse’s discomfort, it makes sense to treat cases as soon as they become apparent.

There are two main forms of treatment. Most commonly, treatment is by washing or rinsing the affected areas with specific anti-fungal solutions. There are several available but no one product will successfully cure all cases and it may be necessary to try two or more different treatments before one is successful. Most of these solutions are applied on two or more separate occasions over a week or more. It is important that all scabs, scurfy skin and debris are removed before treatment is applied or the fungi will be protected from the effects of the medication. This can be achieved by washing the area with a mild detergent and gently using a nylon scouring pad or toothbrush to carefully lift the scabs and debris. If the skin is raw, extensive scab removal may need to be delayed until after the first few treatments. Rinse the skin well and allow to dry as any water on the coat will dilute the solutions further. Apply the treatment according to the directions on the pack or as instructed by your veterinary surgeon. Most of these solutions and washes are not rinsed off.

At the end of a course of treatment, the lesions should have stopped spreading, no new lesions should appear and the skin should look healthy if bare. New hair grows quite quickly. If there is any doubt, or if proof of freedom from infection is required for racing or transport reasons, your veterinary surgeon will collect a follow-up skin scraping and, if necessary, a longer or new course of treatment should be given. In severe, generalised cases or where there is an outbreak in a group of horses, treatment with powders, (griseofulvin), given in the feed for 10-14 days can be used. These take up to six weeks to be effective and should be used in conjunction with topical (skin surface) treatments as described above.

Please remember to treat the stable too. Ringworm spores can hang around, ready to reinfect your horse, for up to 12 months.

This link has lots of information on ringworm (if you scroll down the page there are related articles too):
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/article.php?aid=39758

I had to box rest my youngster, for an unrelated reason, and used sedalin gel at a low dose to keep him quiet (to prevent stable injuries) whilst he recovered. Talk to your vet about using mild sedatives if your horse becomes fractious whilst having to remain stabled during his recovery. Of course, it's not ideal, but will help you both from getting injured when he starts to get restless due to his confinement. Spend as much time as you can with him to help prevent boredom and maybe use this time to get to know him better and develop trust...

Answer 2

Fast Ringworm Cure?

Answer 3

Ringworm is a fungal infection and cattle wormer is not anti fungal! Use the stuff the vet gives you.
Also, ringworm glows under ultraviolet light so if you turn the ligh off in his stable and shine a UV light on it, it glows. Its a common method of diagnosis now and is quicker than the lab tests.

http://www.liphookequinehosp.co.uk/llringworm.htm
This site suggests 6 - 12 weeks, thats not good news but be patient.

Answer 4

The hibiclense is an antimicrobial soap so at least it can't hurt him at best it will help clear up his skin condition. It could be rain rot or any number of other conditions caused by poor nutrition and poor care. Your vet will be able to tell you for sure. Right after I bought my first horse he started losing his hair in big patches. It turned out that the people who sold him to me hadn't wormed him in forever and decided to worm him just before I took possession of him. The dying worms caused an allergic reaction that resulted in a severe case of hives which in turn caused his hair to fall out. That is possibly what happened to your poor fellow. Who allows a horse to look like that? No excuse! Glad you got him and are putting weight on him.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, it takes a certain amount of time to clear up ringworm. There is no fast cure.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

go with the vet, their more up to date with things, make sure you wash your hands as well ,it is very infectious and spead from horse to horse. don't anywhere other horses go. you can catch it yourself. its very diff with a colt, when i got mine the livery yard owner wanted my money but not him , un -cut colts are trouble,as he was at very good yard, with other colts they let me keep him there to be cut in a group , vet lived there aswell he could go out each day to play and stabled at night, when given the all clear home he came, only for 4 years later at another yard a colt got out and kicked him in his mouth breaking front teeth now he looks like he wind sucks now, so i can understand the yard owner, hope he gets better quick and get him cut before spring flies,

Answer 9

MTG works wonders on things like this.