October 2009

Be prepared for Winter skin conditions
12th October 2009

Skin diseases are seen throughout the year in donkeys, ponies and horses, but more commonly seen during the winter months due to the animals having longer coats to keep them warm.  Obviously some are kept fully rugged and stabled during the winter, and the coat may therefore vary little with the different seasons. 

Mud Fever  is caused by a bacterium, Dermatophilus congolensis.  It attacks wet skin, usually on the heels where horses have been standing around in mud.  The appearance is a discharge which causes the hair to clump and takes the look of 'paint brush' lesions.  It can cause scabbing, reddening and swelling.  It is important to take action quickly to eliminate bacterial infection which can lay underneath.  Horses with fine skin are more prone to this disease.  The back can also be affected if the horse has been standing in the rain.  This is known as rain rash.  The treatment is to keep the affected areas dry, clean with the use of antiseptic solution, and to gently remove scabs, which should be done with extreme care.  Unfortunately the treatment of mud fever often requries the horse to be stabled.  In severe cases veterinary advise should be sort.

Ring Worm  is more common during the winter as it relies on close contact between animals to spread, and is killed by sunlight.  There are a variety of different species, some of which can be transmitted from cattle to horses and from wildlife.  The older the animal the less susceptible, as the older the animal the high the immunity.  The fungus causes hair to fall out, leaving bald patches.  The skin can also be flaky and itchy.  One of the most effective treatment is an anti-fungal wash.  Ringworm can live on your horse rugs, brushes and tack, as well as wood, so it is important when treating for ringworm to also treat rugs etc with a disinfectant too.

Lice  are the most common skin parasite which is seen in horses, especially in those renouned for thick winter coats, such as Welsh breeds and Shetland ponies.  Lice are not necesarily a sign of poor health or hygeine, just that they are hairy!  The two main types of lice are sucking - lice that suck blood, and in severe cases can cause anaemia and biting lice - which eat teh surface layers of the skin.  Both of theses cause itching wich if left untreated can become severe.  These lice can be found on short coated horses, especially if they are debilitaed or elderly.  The most effective treatment is a 'spot on' treatment which is applied to the neck, back and rump which are usually the worst affected areas.  If it is a serve outbreak then a second treatment is recommended.  A bath with medicated shampoo will help releave itching and remove some of teh eggs, but is not strong enough to kill, so the 'spot on' treatment would normally still be required.

Elderly animals?  Be aware that older horses which have Cushing's Disease are more prone to skin infections, partly because of the immune system being less effective but also due to their long coats.  Clipping the horse may be worthwhile so that the skin can be groomed more easily and making it easier to be kept an eye on.

Risk to humans?  Ringworm can be transmitted to humans through contact.  Is fairly easily treated with an anit-fungal cream which is available through your doctor or grom a pharmacist, but prevention is better than cure, by wearing protective gloves when handling and treating infected animals.  Lice and mud fever are not a risk to humans.

For a range of treatments browse our Horse Care range online or for further advice please contact our Ashford or Handcross branch.