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SATURDAY
WHEATLAND CHILI HIGH SCHOOL
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Every horse on the new GVEC deworming program should have a late fall fecal analysis prior to being dewormed for the last time this year.
Ideally this should be done when the weather is consistently below 45 F, probably late November.
Call the office 585-889-1170 with any questions about when to deworm.
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GVEC Horse Health Newsletter
November, 2009 |
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Scratches
"Scratches", "mud fever", and "greasy heel" are all familiar terms for pastern dermatitis, a common equine skin problem. Technically, pastern dermatitis is not a single disease but a generic skin reaction to a variety of causes. The skin irritation is most often visible at the back of the pasterns and heels, but can sometimes extend along the entire lower limb. Initially signs may be limited to redness and scaling, but they often progress to oozing of fluid (serum) from the skin, matting of hair, and development of crusts. Chronic cases can become very ugly indeed, as the skin becomes thickened and swollen. It may even develop bumpy, mass-like tissue. This condition is very painful for the horse, and can cause lameness in some cases.
 "Scratches" is most commonly seen on white-colored hind legs of all breeds of horses. It can be unilateral (one sided), or bilateral (involving both right and left limbs). It may affect all four legs. Most cases seen in our region are due to bacterial folliculitis (bacterial infection), but other causes include contact irritation from caustic substances, mites, fungal infection, and photosensitization related to pasture plant toxicity. In some drafts (Clydesdales and Shires), an immune-mediated problem is suspected which may have a genetic component. Some individuals seem particularly susceptible to pastern dermatitis, so these horses should be monitored carefully at wet times of the year and treatment should begin at the very first sign of inflammation.
Excessive moisture or wet-dry cycling in the horse's environment seem to be significant predisposing factors, so prevention should be geared toward keeping the legs clean and dry. Susceptible horses can be stalled during wet weather or until the morning dew has dried. Clipping hairs, especially feathers, can also help decrease moisture retention. Maintain pastures, paddocks, and sheds with the goal of reducing deep mud and standing water. This is not always easy in Western New York!
When pastern dermatitis has been diagnosed, we usually begin treatment by clipping the hair from the area, and then start with topical remedies. The area should be washed with warm water and a gentle soap such as chlorhexidine (Nolvasan™) or betadine surgical scrub. After scabs are softened by the soap, they should picked off in order to expose the underlying skin. Be careful, you might get kicked if you are not gentle! After rinsing, the skin should be completely dried before topical medications are applied. Excema ointment, specially formulated at the Genesee Valley Equine Clinic, is usually our first choice. This ointment is a combination of nitrofurazone, zinc oxide, and a small amount of steroid. It provides an anti-bacterial, an anti-inflammatory, and a moisture barrier. Anti-inflammatory drugs like Bute or Banamine™ are also prescribed if the horse is uncomfortable. In stubborn cases, systemic antibiotics or steroids may be necessary to provide relief. Recurrence is common, especially if the underlying cause is not addressed, so it is worth seeking a definitive diagnosis!
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HOW TO: SOAK AND WRAP A HOOF
1. Gather the following items: low rubber feed tub or other shallow container, Epsom salts, duct tape, disposable baby diaper (size 3 or 4 for average horses, size 5 if you have a draft horse), ichthammol, magnapaste, or other drawing agent such as poultice.
2. Before you begin soaking, create a criss-crossed duct tape bandage using 2" or wider duct tape. Place overlapping strips of tape in alternating vertical and horizontal rows to form a sheet that is 12" across in both directions. The bottom of a dishpan works well as a form.
 
3. Stand the horse on mats or another clean, level surface. Have a towel available to set the hoof on after soaking. Place the horse's foot in the tub and fill with enough warm water to cover the hoof to just above the coronary band.
4. Add one cup Epsom salts per gallon of water. This should be slightly more than will readily dissolve in the water. Stir vigorously.
 
5. Young or inexperienced horses may require reassurance or treats to keep them still during the 15-20 minute soak period. If your horse refuses to keep his hoof in a tub, you may need to use a soaking boot. Empty fluid bags, which can often be obtained at GVEC, work well. Place the horse's foot in the bag and fill with enough water and Epsom salts to cover the top of the hoof. Secure the top of the bag with duct tape.
6. Remove the hoof from the tub or boot and gently towel dry. Try to dry the pastern thoroughly so that the bandage will stay in place.
7. Apply the drawing agent to the sole of the hoof, filling any pared out area. (The shoe will usually be pulled.)
8. Place the disposable diaper over the bottom of the hoof with the tabbed edge coming from the back of the pastern so that it fastens around the front of the pastern.
9. Remove the duct tape bandage from the dishpan or other form and apply the center of the bandage to the bottom of the hoof. Fold the duct tape up and over the hoof wall to the pastern. You will have to overlap the corners.
10. Gently secure the bandage around the pastern with 2-4 strips of duct tape. Do not wrap tightly, and only use enough pressure to hold the bandage in place.
11. The entire bandage should extend about 1-2 inches above the coronary band.
Repeat this process daily until two days after the horse returns to soundness. If an abscess ruptures through the sole leaving an open hole in the hoof, the foot should be protected with a dry wrap (one without a drawing agent) until the hole has hardened and begins to fill.
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