very sore skin?

[emmilou]

Hi all. desperatly need some advice.
poor old pip has a nasty patch on his withers that is bald and very red. a few months ago i noticed the skin in that area had hardened and gratdually a scab formed and it came of (with my help) it left a sore spot but it was clean and not bleeding.
i thought with cleaning and wound cream it would harder and the hair would eventually grow back?
its been almost a month and it no better. it doest bleed but it is bright red and tender. it is definatly not his rugs as there is no rubbing occuring and he has always worn a bib and his saddle fits (had saddler check)

whats causing it and why wont it heal?
any suggestions?
thanks x

 

[Tia]

I know you say it isn't, but it does sound like the rugs are rubbing to me, sorry.

 

[emmilou]

There is no 'rufflrd' hair. the only thing there is is this hardened skin. plus, his lycra bib protects from rugs.
im sure its not that x

 

[annie02]

Well it could be some sort of fungus? Does he have flaking skin around the area? Is the area getting bigger or staying the same size?

Although I am also inclined to say the rugs are rubbing. Even with a bib the rugs can still rub, the bib acts kind of like a second layer of skin but doesnt prevent rubs from ocurring in all cirumstances. Saying that it sounds more like a pressure sore than a rub, the blankets may not be moving but is it possible they (or something else) is putting to much pressure on the area causing it to loose the hair and cause something similar to a calus on the withers?

 

[Fairynuff]

If its pressure from his rugs there wont be ruffled hair. Try putting a sheepskin wooly side down where his rug meets his withers (or wherever the sore is). To harden the skin you can rub it with alcohol daily. The old fashioned cure to harden backs was to rub in urine, each groom using his own supply

. It worked! Mairi.

 

[emmilou]

hmmm, interesting. i will try some alcohol on it.
should have mentioned before, but its not at the highest point of his withers. it furthur down. either way.....i will try hardening the skin.
it may well be a fungus too. i hadnt thought of that. the skin is quite dry so i will phone the vet and see what he says

thanks x

 

[wizzi901]

if rugs have any kind of pressure on his withers, he wont have any hair there and it will form a hard scab (only know because my boys rugs all fit fine but he is 26 and it just affects him this way.

I got some sheepskin and stitched it in the wither places of all his turnout rugs and his hair is growing back now. I really wouldnt have said his rugs rub but something to do with the weight or pressure definately gave him a scabby thing!

 

[henryhorn]

I would agree with those saying rug pressure, it doesn't have to be rubbing to cause trouble I'm afraid.
The best way to heal it is to glue two fat sponges on either side of his rug so they will lift the rugs off the area and allow the air to get to it.
The hair however may not grow back, but it should heal. I have heard of abcesses there but think it would be hot and very tender if this were the case.