ArizonaRealCountry.com 5 July 2019 Ask the Vet Arizona REAL COUNTRY the magazine Mike Barna Publisher ArizonaRealCountryMagazine@gmail.com Erika Smith Royal Editor erika963realcountry@gmail.com Misty Voitovski Creative Director Contributing Writers Lee Anderson, Bethany Braley, Desiree’Byrne, Charlie LeSueur, Jennifer Morrow, Jim Olson, Robert Piekow, Alan Rockman, Bob Roloff, Hank Sheffer, Buddy Uldrikson, Michele Wilson Arizona Real Country is owned and published by Barna Broadcasting LLC. No person, organization or party can copy or reproduce the content on our website and/or magazine or any part of this publication without a written consent from the editor’s panel and the author of the content, as applicable. The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights with regards to copyright of their work. Follow Arizona Real Country for news, events, giveaways and more! 801 W. Wickenburg Way Wickenburg, AZ 85390 (602) 254-6644 ArizonaRealCountry.com RAIN ROT – RAIN SCALD Rain rot is a bacterial infection. The causative organism, Dermatophilus congolensis, can reside on the skin without causing trouble, but it multiplies rapidly in a moist environment. If the bacteria find a break in the skin, whether a small wound or insect bite, an active infection can develop. Anything that compromises a horse's immunity—advanced age, malnutrition, illness—can make him more susceptible to the infection. Horses get it along the top line where rain runs down their backs, their shoulders, hindquarters, faces, and lower legs. Scabby crusts form raised bumps with upright tufts of matted hair. Over time the crusts peel off leaving small round bald spots that may be pus-filled. At minimum, rain rot is uncomfortable for the horse, and at worst, it’s very painful. The best thing you can do to prevent it is to keep your horse in dry living conditions. If you start to notice the tell-tale scabs, purchase an anti-microbial shampoo and disinfectant rinse specifically advertised to treat rain rot. Treatment will depend on the product you choose, but you’ll most likely need to use the rinse every day for at least a week. It’s best to place the infected horse in a dry, covered area until cleared of the rain rot. Spot treating may be effective if only a small area is affected; otherwise, giving the horse a full bath may be advisable. Picking off loose scabs may help them heal faster, because exposing the bacteria to air helps to kill them, plus it will enable topical treatments to penetrate further. But do not remove scabs if they are still tight and pulling on them causes the horse pain. Call your veterinarian if an infection fails to improve after a week, despite treatment. She can make sure your horse actually has rain rot, rather than another similar condition, and may prescribe a topical medication or oral antibiotics, especially if a secondary infection has set in. Regular grooming will prevent dirt and mud from holding moisture against the skin. This will also help you spot the early signs of rain rot so it can be treated before it spreads. Disinfect all blankets and equipment that came in contact with an infected horse before reuse. RINGWORM Ringworm is a fungal infection that can be caused by several organisms, usually members of the Trichophyton or Microsporum families. The fungi, called dermatophytes, consume keratin, the protein that forms the structure of hair and epidermal skin cells. The fungi can survive for months in the environment, on tack or fences, and they can be carried on the skin for up to three weeks before signs of infection are evident—during this time, the fungi can be easily spread to other animals, and sudden outbreaks may affect every horse in a herd. The most common placement for ringworm is on the face, shoulders, neck, chest, or under the saddle. The affected areas may be sore or itchy, but they often cause no discomfort, and the horse may appear otherwise healthy. It’s identified as a round patch of hairless skin with a crusty scab. If you suspect ringworm, immediately isolate the affected horse from all other animals. Clipping the hair around the lesions and removing scabs and crusty material as much as you can without causing the horse pain will reduce the organisms' food source. Several over-the-counter antifungal medications may be effective but you may need to try several products to find one that works best for your horse. First clean the area with a general antifungal antiseptic, such as chlorhexidine, and then dry thoroughly before applying an antifungal ointment or medication. Repeat the treatments until the infection is resolved. Exposure to air and sunshine will also help kill the fungi. Call your veterinarian if the lesions continue to spread or the horse's skin does not appear to be healing after a week. She can confirm that the infection is ringworm by scraping off a few skin cells and examining them under a microscope for the presence of fungal spores. If the case is severe or if you are handling many cases at once, your veterinarian may prescribe oral medications that can be used in combination with the topical washes. Keep separate tack, equipment and grooming supplies for every horse in your care, and do not share with others. Remember that people can get ringworm as well as all your other animals, including cats and dogs. Always wear gloves when handling infected horses and exposed equipment. WARTS Warts are caused by the Equine Papillomavirus, an organism that lives on the skin and tack for weeks. Most often affecting young horses, under the age of three. These raised cauliflower-like growths are easily identified. They’re usually pink in color and no bigger than peas. They can come in clusters or individually, and they’re most commonly found around the muzzle, near the eyes, on ears, genitals, and lower legs. Warts are usually harmless and disappear after a few months. If your horse is older or has a compromised immune system, however, it could take up to a year for a stubborn wart to go away on its own. If the warts are inhibiting your horse’s ability to eat or being irritated by tack, you shouldn’t wait for this natural process. Ask your veterinarian about laser removal or drugs that stimulate immunity. AURAL PLAQUES Aural plaques are caused by the Equine Papillomavirus that is thought to be spread by biting flies, such as the blackfly, that target the ears. The plaques may appear in horses of any age or breed. They appear as flat, crusty, raised white lesions inside the ears; underneath, the skin may be pink and sensitive. Aural plaques usually cause no pain and are considered to be just a cosmetic problem. But biting flies may irritate the lesions, and some horses may begin to resist bridling or having their ears handled. Both ears are likely to be affected. They are not likely to shrink or go away on their own. If the plaques are causing ear sensitivity, your veterinarian may prescribe a course of treatment with a topical cream containing imiquimod, a drug that continued on page 7 THE SKINNY ON SKIN CONDITIONS