Very scabby two year old... Ringworm?

_jetset_

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My two year has been living out now since March. Due to my schedule, I have not seen him for just over a month (someone does check them over quickly and ensure enough water etc etc regularly). Last night, the rain had finally stopped for long enough for him to dry so that I could put a rug on him.

We have had sooooo much rain up here in not so sunny lancashire, and having spent some time down near London recently, it is like a whole different country!

Anyway, when I got there he had big patches of grey scaly skin on his face (probably about the width of an orange in some cases) but was fine in himself and didn't seem too bothered by them.

I rugged him up (it was 5 degrees last night), went up this morning and he seemed very content. However looking at the scabs I think it is ringworm...

I do not have access to a stable up there and it is difficult handling at the other two are all over you so treatment will have to be something quick if treatment is needed. From what I have read you can either leave it to self treat (6 weeks seems to be its lifespan) or use anti fungal shampoo (not really an option where he is as no access to water up there and handling again an issue).

However, I was wondering whether anyone had any suggestions???

I was thinking something along the lines of anti fungal cream like Canisten or something similar?
 
You can get a concentrated sulpher shampoo from the vets that you can dilute in a water bottle, put on cotton wool, then rub on. You don't have to rinse it with water. Stronger, longer-lasting and less expensive than athletes foot cream.
 
I don't think so because it is not really on the rest of his body and one of his chums also has one on his face
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Plus I can't see any on his body and until last night he has been unrugged.
 
someone thought the above was caused by lice (have a look at the other photos in the album - eb rubbed a lot of bald and raw patches all over hger head. i treated it with vetsovate. it eventually cleared up but we didnt find out what caused it.
 
I've never seen ringworm self treat, it usually takes loads of weight off them and passes to everything else in the same field.
There really is no other way other than spraying or washing completely with imaverol from your vet, though I have wondered if athlete's foot spray might work myself. The only way is to put gloves on and do him, then repeat in five days time, I wouldn't ignore it because it's the devil's own to get rid of. Don't go anywhere near your other horses afterwards, wash your coat etc it passes so easily..
I would also check for lice at the same time, it's around now they often surface especially with the warm wet weather.
I think the other horses should ideally be done at the same time or he will probably get it again from them if it's ringworm.
 
Have text my vet... He is coming out tomorrow morning to sedate Grace to be clipped so hopefully he will have a solution. There are only three of them in the field so not a large herd and it's a bit late for me to isolate him
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There is only a large pond as the water source up there and no where to move him to while treating to stop others causing mischief as just literally a huge field! Perfect for him but not so great in this kind of situation I guess.

I treated him with Switch this morning in case it is lice induced... That is what vet gave me last year when he had little friends
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His worming is all up to date too (I know ringworm not a worm, but just thought I would mention it).

He has plenty of weight to lose after being in a field with grass up to his knees for the last week and now resembling an elephant... and I was worried about him not getting a feed every day
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I have not fed him now since March and he looks absolutely fantastic
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It will clear but can take up to two years and as HH said it is quite debilitating and can knock them for 6.

Immaverol is good stuff need to get it from the vet and in between treatments buy athletes foot treatments in both powder and cream form and slap it on liberally.

Always air on the side of caution, the trick is to persevere and treat anything and every little spot you see.
 
Thanks everyone... The vet has given me some Immaverol this morning so will start applying to all his scabs from tomorrow morning. I have to do it when it is light which will not be easy to fit in, but hopefully will manage some how.
 
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