Cauliflower ears . . .

[kate_day]

there is a horse on the yard with white lumpy stuff in his ears, i have been told its cauliflower ears. just wondering what it is? it does look quite odd - poor fella. he wont let you touch his ears or near them so putting on a bridle is very difficult!! we are led to beleive it is because of the stuff in his ears??

 

[piebaldsparkle]

It's Aural Plaques, my friends horse had it and you had to take undo a cheekpiece to put his bridle on.

More info here - http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/1370/110175.html

 

[merlinsquest]

Isnt that what Headley Britania has????? Or another famous horse???

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Yep, see link above (pic of HB on it).

 

[merlinsquest]

OK clever clogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[piebaldsparkle]

 

[Hedgewitch13]

I knew a horse, years ago, that had ear plaques. The sad thing she was called Bugsy and those ears were whoppers! The vet did scrape them one under sedation and they did improve. Funnily enough she wasn't headshy.

 

[the watcher]

sometimes Camrosa can improve these, or reduce them, and an ear net is essential for horses with aural plaques during the summer months to prevent them getting any worse.

 

[Bozzy]

My boy has them, have caused absolutely no problems though he is a bit headshy. He has improved over time (18 months) and you can now just about touch his ears

I'd personally recommend leaving well alone, can sometimes cause more problems if you start trying to remove them.

 

[minmax]

My boy has them too.
He doesn't like his ears washing but isn't head shy as such.
Would leave well alone.
I'm sure if I started messing with them he would get very upset.

 

[k9h]

Aural plaques, horse

Equine aural plaques ( papillary acanthoma, ear papillomas) are caused by a papillomavirus. Black flies ( Simulium spp ) are likely the mechanical vector. These flies are active at dawn and dusk, when they attack the head, ears, and ventral abdomen of horses. Clinically, the lesions are characterized by depigmented, hyperkeratotic, coalescing papules and plaques localized to the concave aspect of the pinna. Often both pinnae are affected. Similar lesions may be present around the anus and external genitalia. Lesions are usually asymptomatic, but in some cases the direct effect of the fly bite causes dermatitis and discomfort. Histologically, the lesions are characterized by mildy papillated epidermal hyperplasia and marked hyperkeratosis. Increased size of keratohyalin granules, poikilocytosis, and hypomelanosis may also be present in the epidermis. Intranuclear viral particles have been seen in electron microscopic studies. Treatment includes frequent applications of fly repellent and stabling the horse during the fly’s feeding times. Lesions typically do not regress.

Taken from Merck veterinary manual