frustratedearthmother
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Has it been as wet, humid, wet, nasty, wet and gross in your part of the country as it's been in Texas? Just throwin' this out there... I wonder if it is something akin to rain rot... BTW - I noticed some of the "dandruff" on my goats today. GRRRR
Cause
"Rain rot or rain scald (also known as dermatophilosis) is caused by bacterial infection, and it often is mistaken for a fungal disease," Swinker says. "The bacteria live in the outer layer of skin and cause from pinpoint to large, crusty scabs."
Dermatophilus congolensis, the bacterium found to cause this infection, lives in dormant within the skin until the skin is compromised in some way, which can happen when there's prolonged wetness, high humidity, high temperature, or attacks by biting insects, according to The Merck Veterinary Manual. Warm temperatures and high humidity can also cause an increase in the number of biting insects (particularly flies and ticks) present that can spread the infection from horse to horse.
Rain rot occurs when the infective zoospores (created by D. congolensis bacteria to propagate themselves) reach a compromised skin site. Swinker says, "The zoospores germinate and produce hyphae (threadlike tentacles), which penetrate into the living epidermis and spread in all directions, resulting in an acute inflammatory skin condition."
Treatment
Most acute cases of rain rot can heal on their own; however, Swinker recommends treating even minor cases because the lesions can spread and worsen. The lesions also interfere with use (especially if they are located along the horse's back or withers) and they can be painful for the horse.
She says, "In early or less severe cases, simply removing the scabs (by bathing the horse) with antimicrobial shampoos and currying will take care of the problem." However, more severe cases in which the infection has affected deeper skin layers might require your veterinarian to give antibiotic injections (such as procaine penicillin and streptomycin). Unlike most skin conditions, rain rot is not itchy, but it can be painful to the touch. Be cautious when bathing or removing the scabs.
Cause
"Rain rot or rain scald (also known as dermatophilosis) is caused by bacterial infection, and it often is mistaken for a fungal disease," Swinker says. "The bacteria live in the outer layer of skin and cause from pinpoint to large, crusty scabs."
Dermatophilus congolensis, the bacterium found to cause this infection, lives in dormant within the skin until the skin is compromised in some way, which can happen when there's prolonged wetness, high humidity, high temperature, or attacks by biting insects, according to The Merck Veterinary Manual. Warm temperatures and high humidity can also cause an increase in the number of biting insects (particularly flies and ticks) present that can spread the infection from horse to horse.
Rain rot occurs when the infective zoospores (created by D. congolensis bacteria to propagate themselves) reach a compromised skin site. Swinker says, "The zoospores germinate and produce hyphae (threadlike tentacles), which penetrate into the living epidermis and spread in all directions, resulting in an acute inflammatory skin condition."
Treatment
Most acute cases of rain rot can heal on their own; however, Swinker recommends treating even minor cases because the lesions can spread and worsen. The lesions also interfere with use (especially if they are located along the horse's back or withers) and they can be painful for the horse.
She says, "In early or less severe cases, simply removing the scabs (by bathing the horse) with antimicrobial shampoos and currying will take care of the problem." However, more severe cases in which the infection has affected deeper skin layers might require your veterinarian to give antibiotic injections (such as procaine penicillin and streptomycin). Unlike most skin conditions, rain rot is not itchy, but it can be painful to the touch. Be cautious when bathing or removing the scabs.
sorry to hear this...
for the test results
