Rain Scald

Dogstar

Dogstar

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I brought my new yearling home today and she is a sweetheart. I think she has got rain scald though. I have never seen it before, but she has crusty, scabby bumps under her coat on her neck and poll areas. I am getting the vet out anyway asap for her jabs, but just wondered if anyone has any tried and tested techniques for clearing it up quickly? Also I read that I should keep her in but this seems a bit unkind would she be OK out on fairly nice days and in at night? Also it is so contagious that I should keep her separately until its healed? Thanks.
 
Sounds very like what i have noticed on my foal (he is in with an Abcess at the moment) He has developed little crusty bumps, mainly on his neck, but a few round his muzzle, eye and a couple at the side of his tail...just been reading up on rain scald tonight and i believe it is easily passed around.

Good site here - http://www.equusite.com/articles/health/healthRainRot.shtml

Ive my vet out to check my foal again tue's so hopefully he can shed some light on what it is for sure.

Hope you get your girly sorted too!


Ang x
 
Thanks this is a very useful link! Bit worried about my other horses catching it though. Good luck with your foal too
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It's not contageous like eg flu is. Each individual horse may or may not be more or less susceptible depending on age, immunity, weather, rugs, management etc. The basic advice is to clear it up then try not to let it happen again by keeping those bits of the horse dry. Anecdotally, white skin is more susceptible than darker skin. Hibiscrub applied to the area will soften the scabs which need to be carefully teased off. The opportunistic bacteria that take advantage of wet, softened skin lurk under the scabs. Neck cover rug or even a hood might help this first winter but it may be that as your foal grows his immune system will mature and he may not be so susceptible in future. I wouldn't automatically panic that your other neds will develop it too if they haven't so far x
 
Oh that's great thanks! She is appaloosa coloured which ties in with what you say. I have had a closer inspection and I think it has already dried up and the lumps are just the flakes working their way out, though I will just let the vet look tomorrow. She has been out 24/7 prior to me getting her but I will now be bringing her in on wet nights. I guess its contagious in the same way as mud fever and I don't panic about the others catching that as they only seem to catch it out hunting when they tread in an infected hoof print in the mud with scratched skin. Thanks again.
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I used Coatex a shampoo for cats and dogs prescribed by the vet for rain scold I worked on a bit at a time soaking the scabs then picking them off rinse well.

When you pick the scabs off the skin will be pink underneath and look a bit sore but thats OK. The hair might fall out and have a few bald bits but you need to get them off. By spring my foals coat had grown back nicely.

Rain scold loves moist damp conditions I used to leave rugs off as much as possible. Do not rug if the foal has got wet leave to dry first.
 
Thanks to Resupgirl help in pointing out what my colt has I think yours and mine might be suffering the same thing!!! My colt doesn't have hard crusty bits just bumps under coat that when groomed or patted come off and look like HUGE dandruff bits, I posted the thread "Flaky Skin HELP" mind some of the big bits do have hair attached to them, its a tad cold up here for washing so am hoping maybe vets can give me some oral antibiotics if all else fails??
 
You poor thing my foal had it when I bought her in January so it was really difficult. One thing that I did notice with her she has always been prone to itchy skin and is allergic to insect bites too in the Summer she has to where a boett rug if she is turned out. Some horses are just sensitive! My TB never gets any allergies whereas my Holsteiner is a big softy! Good Luck
 
I was just about to write a post on this then saw yours! I went to tack up my lad tonight and noticed a scab on his back then on closer inspection found more on his spine and around his back. I rang the vet for advice and she thinks it is more than likely rain scald and advised to use hibiscrub and sudocrem or some kind of wound cream (i've used aloe vera gel.) She said to soften the scabs but didnt say to pick them off so i will be getting them all off in the morning after reading up on various sites. My boy is 22 and never had it before. He is very itchy although i have just read that itchiness is not associated so a little confused by this.
Teabagtoyota i think they will prescribe antibiotics for severe cases or if it doesnt clear up quickly. I've used warm water with the hibiscrub due to the cold weather and dried him off with a towel then put a cooler on under his rugs as he is trace clipped.
 
Thanks for all the advice! My farrier had a look last night too and reckoned it was just his coat changeing
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So now I have no idea but keeping a close eye on him (horse that is
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), poor guy!!
 
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