Horrible skin on horses back with pics - ideas needed

[flyingfeet]

I brought my pony up to patch a hole on her rug and talk her for a ride, imagine my horror when I found her back all raised and swollen. Very painful to touch

Includes both a bit and sores, which look like classic rainscald to me

- pony has not been clipped lately
- has had a new cheap rug from eBay
- was bitten - which is the central wound
- not ridden for over 3 weeks, so not saddle or numnah

Can a bite get infected with rainscald bacteria (under a 450g rug) this fast?

I thought rainscald wasn't supposed to be painful to the touch and her right hand side is only swelling with no marks

Thoughts appreciated:-

 

[Clava]

Looks like rainscald, but from experience (and a secondhand saddle) I know ringworm comes in all shapes and forms regardless of people saying it is ringshaped. I'd treat with imaverol as it does no harm to do so.

 

[SaharaS]

Hello, sorry to hear this...I think I can help you tho...just been through it myself after so called helpful groom helped herself without telling me to my horses rugs when hers had infection v similar so her rugs could be washed...didn't tell me & three of my 5 now are recovering-we've NEVER had any skin issues ever so I feel your pain...you need to bathe it in hibiscrub -leave a mild solution on for 10 mins which will losen the sores/scabs-I presume they come of exposing bits of pus-so its possibly a streptococcus type infection.similar to rain scald in appearance... wash the scabs of-scratch them off gently as you can with gloved hands and you need to get all the scabs off so it can heal.If you can clip out the affected area too as this will make it easier to wash as you will prob have to do it daily for up to 10 days/2 weeks...at first if you can am & pm. Horrible but worth it.You can apply a cream or spray-iodine or purple spray or zinc cream to the dried wounds--don't forget to dry him thoroughly before putting any rugs back on

I won't hazzard any more of a diagnosis as I'm not a vet by any means so please speak to your vet too but the hibiscrub will help instantly.Depending on what it is your horse may or may not need anti-b's to help clear it up(...I'm in a tricky one with this too as one of the affected is a veteran was about to post about the best clip as she's a TB & 25 so worried to take too much off) Keep at it with the scrub & all the best hope he's better very soon x

 

[flyingfeet]

Did yours have extensive swelling like this? There aren't any scabs yet to pick at, but she doesn't even want me putting my hand on it and sinks when I do!

I've used liquid savlon in water to bathe thus far, I don't know how this stands up v hibiscrub

 

[SaharaS]

Each individual spot was raised & inflamed & puffy to the touch...when you bathe it try gently work the lotion in & it will prob burst out with pus & then scabs will form. If it is the same think as with any infection you need to get the pus out & the scabs off once they form. They may not be ready to ooze yet, but treating them will help. Mine are not overly sensitive now as they know it eases when I do it so are happy to be uncomfortable for the few mins..all were done loose in stable & not forced or tied in any way, they cam & stood so still. I'm thinking you ought to speak with your vet...several bumps together before breaking out may give the impression of a large area of swelling but it will prob break into several different bumps.mine were anything from 5p's to a few 10ps tho mostly 20p sized. Def be worth speaking to vet tho in morning x

 

[bluebellfreddy]

I would defiantly get the vet out, let them have look at it. But do this as soon as possible, before it gets worse.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

this looks like my donkeys skin look




bloods came back inconclusive,

mange was prob there before i first washed her but no more
i wash in dog/cat stuff vet gave me or you can use hibi scrub wash as often as you can and remove scabs

 

[popularfurball]

I would also have the vet out - highly unlikely it is auto immune but as I found out, just sometimes it can be. Would prefer to treat conservatively when cause is unknown.

Also is horse too hot under rugs? It is incredibly mild - so mild mine are naked at the moment and out in no fill rugs?

 

[flyingfeet]

Thanks everyone, some good tips here!

It's definitely rain scald, the worst side swelling has reduced a bit, and bathed again with strong savlon liquid (same ingredient as hibiscrub), the hair is now coming away

I think the rug I have bought is not breathable (she is fully clipped), as she was in a 450g fixed neck, and I bought this new one so I could take the neck off. However its not breathable, so like putting a plastic bag on your horse and the air has risen to the back and allowed the bacteria to fester

 

[lizness]

Have seen this in horses rugged up and rugs not lifted/changed. Believe horses got sweaty, clammy conditions under rug. We washed with hibiscrub let as much air to them as possible