New pony has a skin condition?

Question

I just started training a pony who was neglected for a few years. The skin on his face, especially on his cheeks, is really...strange. The skin looks and feels like it is covered in folds of scar tissue as well as scabs. It is also apparently very itchy. There is some lesser patches on his chest and legs. I've been washing the patches in iodine for a fews days, which seems to help a bit. Do you know what this condition is, and how to treat it?

1. I'm in Mexico, where the temperature is around 75.
2. I'm also in the middle of the desert. Except in the horses' water buckets, there is no moisture.

Sorry I didn't put this in the original, forgot what it's like in the US right now.

Answer 1

It is very possible, from what you have described, that this horse has Scabies. Sarcoptic mange (or scabies) is an important skin disease which can affect a variety of species including humans, dogs, goats, horses and ponies, pigs, rabbits, sheep, and less commonly cats (rare).
Clinical signs do not occur for 3-6 weeks after infection with the mite. The primary signs of sarcoptic mange are similar for all species as follows :

* Intense pruritus (itchiness) with self-trauma - scratching, biting
* Hairloss
* Papules
* Crusts
* Grazes on the surface of the skin
* Secondary bacterial infection
* Thickening of the skin (in chronic cases)
* Location of skin lesions is widespread - including
o Cattle - the neck and sacral region
o Dogs - the abdomen, chest, ears and legs - especially the elbows and hocks.
o Horses and ponies - the head and neck
o Pigs - the back
o Rabbits - the face and ears
o Sheep and goats - the face and ears
* Weight loss
* Enlarged lymph nodes
* General debilitation

* Humans
o Papules - especially on the arms or midriff (trunk)
o Itchiness
Diagnosis is made by examination of deep skin scrapings and identifying mites, eggs or mite feces. Numerous samples are required to be sure to obtain a positive sample and false negative findings are frequently reported because of the "hit-or-miss" nature of sampling. Sometimes mites or their eggs may be found in fecal samples as well.

Several treatments are available for the treatment of Sarcoptic mange including

* The following acaricides which kill the mites:
o Amitraz
o Benzyl benzoate
o Bromocyclen
o Fipronil
o Ivermectin
o Milbemycin
o Monosulfiram
o Phosmet
o Rotenone

Some of these do not have product licenses for use in all species, and some can be toxic, so you need Veterinary advise.

The environment should also be treated in case mites have dropped off into bedding or floor coverings.

* The itchy pruritus can be controlled using anti-inflammatory drugs eg corticosteroids.
* Antibiotics may be needed if secondary bacterial infection is present
* Antiseborrhoeic shampoos are also helpful to cleanse the skin

All animals in a household, stables or farm should be treated.

In short, you really do need a vet to look at this horse. You should isolate the horse so that the possibility of transferring the disease is minimised...

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
New pony has a skin condition?
I just started training a pony who was neglected for a few years. The skin on his face, especially on his cheeks, is really...strange. The skin looks and feels like it is covered in folds of scar tissue as well as scabs. It is also apparently very itchy. There is some lesser patches on his...

Answer 4

RAINROT probably. If your weather is warm enough, you might try clipping him so that you can get down to the scabby spots, the wash with chlorhexidine (Nolvasan is the brand name). If you can't find that, you can also make a solution with Captan powder that is sold for roses and wash him down in that. It will kill the fungus. Good luck with him!

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This is from Virgina Tech at http://www.showhorsepromotions.com/rainrot.htm

Rain rot, also known as rain scald (on the lower limbs, it may be referred to as dew poisoning), is caused by a bacteria that has fungal characteristics. This bacteria lives in soil and is commonly observed during prolonged wetness. Infected animals are often considered a source of infections for spread of this contagious disease.

Poor stable hygiene and skin irritation from insect bites often are contributing factors. Infected horses generally will have a series of small bumps along their backs. These lesions will progress to circular scabs. Removal of the matted tufts of hair is painful and can result in raw, bleeding areas. Veterinarians often refer to the small tufts as "paintbrush lesions." Lesions are commonly observed on the back, rump, neck and legs.
Affected animals should be kept dry and protected from biting insects.

The scabs should be removed while bathing the horse daily for seven days with either iodine shampoo, chlorohexidine shampoo or benzoyl peroxide. Severe cases may require treatment with antibiotics for a week or two. Warm sun and dry weather are nature's best cure for rain rot. Skin problems should be addressed early in the disease before the itching, hair loss and subsequent inflammation become severe enough to result in oozing, crusting and scaling of the skin.

Diagnosis of any skin disease generally requires more investigation than just a simple glance.
(article by Mark Crisman, D.V.M. -Virginia Tech)

Answer 5

Beleiv it some horses are alaergic to flies there is a shot that they can give to help.Call your vet out before it warms up & gets worse.

Answer 6

Talk to the local vet.
Cowgirl**