Is this rain scald?

[elsielouise]

Overnight my mare seems to have developed lots of small hardish lumps sensitive to the touch in an sort of oval shape - 3cm on her back. It's def on the skin and feels like hair does when it's got mud caught up in it if that makes sense?
I am sure it wasn't there yesterday. She had a rug on last night and didn't get wet but this flippin weather has made it impossible to keep them dry and we've had warm and wet which I believe is conducive to this?

Has anyone had one with this? I've googled the condition but the pictures are mostly fairly extreme.

would like to avoid another vet call out - only had one last week for teeth and another due next week for vaccs so would appreciate anyone's experience.

Oh and... how long does it take to get better? and ... I'm assuming she should not be ridden too.. shame as am off work this week! Typical

 

[catherinep]

sounds like it....

Dab on witch hazel - the gel is best, I find....get it in the supermarket or the chemist nad don't be mean with it! should clear up in a week or so but I wouldn't ride on it as it will rub the fur off in lumps and make it sore....

What a summer!!! just off to put another jumper on....!!!

Good luck,

Catherine

 

[elsielouise]

thankyou and...........

A***!

<sorry - was looking forward to riding every day this week>

 

[the watcher]

It could be rain scald, if it is then treat it as a fungal infection, the best and quickest cure is to buy dandruff shampoo - the serious stuff from the pharmacist, and use that according to the instructions. Make sure it is thoroughly dry before rugging again.

Be aware though that it could be ringworm so be rigorous about keeping everything clean and wearing gloves until you have established that this is not the case

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Sounds like rain scald but never heard of using dandruff shampoo to cure it! Rainscald is a bacterial skin infection, not dandruff. It's easy to clear: first pick off all the scabs you can - THIS BIT IS IMPORTANT as the bacteria are protected by the scab! Then wash in a solution of Hibiscrub (Boots or any reputable equine shop), rinse and let it dry. You might need to wash your rugs too. Keep doing that for a few days and it will clear up no problem. If it seems persistent you can make up a cupful of weak Hibiscrub and gently massage it deep into the hair and skin and just leave it. If it doesn't respond to this then I'd get El Vetto out! Good luck! x

 

[angiebaby]

You can get rain scald by being too hot ( caused by sweat ) if they are rugged. My friends horse had this in winter as she stabled it at night with its thick turnout rug on! (to save time in the morning I presume) Wouldn't reccommed that.

 

[elsielouise]

Following on from everyone's help and my unhelpful comment above (!) I have today removed all scabs using that stuff for mud fever and they came away easy. Could see pinkish area and she was a bit sore (she's skewbald and white on that bit).

I then used a disinfectent to clean and followed up with an antifungal cream - having let it dry in between as per instructions.


I THEN added specially bought breathable lightweight turnout (to add to the existing ridiculous number of rugs she already has but I wanted it to be absolutely clean).

Then I checked my other one - no sign of scabs and they share a field so split up my grooming kit and stuffed 'em all back in field!

Then I noticed my JRT pup was sitting in the car with one eye closed and wouldn't let me see it so rushed off to vets where they are keeping her for a GA to have a better look.

Add that to teeth check last week, vaccinations and a vetting for my other one and this is an expensive month already.

lets hope the skin rash clears up or I shall just feed horses to dogs and save self loads of money! <joking I think>

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[henryhorn]

My vet was saying the other day this is the worst year for skin conditions he has ever known, the conditions are perfect!
Rainscald loves warm damp conditions and can be sorted with determination.
Wash the area in hibiscrub then apply any antiseptic cream fairly thickly, cover with a light rug and next day most of the scabs will have softened and be easily removed without pain for the horse. The rug then needs to be washed as it will have the fungus on it.
Spray the area with athletes foot spray or apply the cream, it's anti fungal and works really well!
leave the rug off then to allow it to heal.
The tell tale sign it's rain rash/scald/rot is the hair sticks together in clumps like a paintbrush.
If it becomes infected stop the treatment and get your vet.

 

[elsielouise]

thank you - I agree! in the meantime we've had the vet have a look who confirms it as technically, 'a fungal infection' £30 for that please and another £30 for turning up. She gave us a cream whose name I forget but used in people for skin conditions of a wide range according to label and said let her know if it gets worse. Useful! But' we've clipped it and daily betadine washed it and seems to have stopped spreading.

Just fed up we've now missed 3 dress tests and one ODE. With a bit of luck might be able to get tack back on her by the end of next week!