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We can use this information to our advantage when attempting to cure rain rot. The organism responsible for rain rot requires moisture and heat but it hates oxygen.
A very highly effective is the antifungal dust captan.
How does a horse get rain rot. Rain rot most often occurs when the skin has been compromised in some way. Compromise occurs during times of high humidity prolonged rainfall or increased exposure to biting insects. Horse owners should take steps to limit impact when these environmental conditions are present.
Prevention and Treatment of Rain Rot. Technically known as dermatophilosis rain rot is the most common skin disease in horses and is caused by a bacterium called Dermatophilus congolensis which lies dormant in horse skin. This bacterium combined with moisture and warmth on the horses coat create an environment in which rain rot can.
The bacterial spores which produce rain rot penetrate a horses skin when it has experienced some trauma. Examples of this trauma are wounds scrapes or abrasions. Insect bites and excess moisture on the horses skin can also allow the bacterial spores to penetrate its outer skin layers.
It can spread through contaminated equipment ie brushes blankets and shared tack and biting insects. Any horse can get rain rot but horses. How to Treat Rain Rot on Horses.
A Helpful Guide Step One. Rain rot symptoms most commonly show itself as scabs and lesions on a horses skin. Clean The Infected Area.
When it comes to cleaning rain rot removing the scabs is the first step to ensure. Remove the causative factor of moisture from the horses environment to prevent further rain rot development on your. Apply treatment such as Theracyn Wound Skin Care Spray to the horses hair spraying against the direction of the.
In extreme cases of rain rot bathe your horse. Rain rot can develop in elderly horses or immunocompromised animals. Neglect can also lead to rain rot.
Malnourished horses arent healthy enough to fight off the bacterial infection. Prevention is Better than Cure. If your horses are turned out all the time give them a place to go where they can completely get out of the rain.
Treat rain rot with 5 easy steps. Trim and remove the hair affected by the rain rot. When you rub your hand over rain rot a lot of loose hair comes off.
Wash the affected area with an antibacterial shampoo. Use an affective antibacterial shampoo and thoroughly wash. Rain rot can also occur in horses with lighter coats when blankets get soaked.
Keeping your horse dry is the best prevention but thats not always realistic since most horses need to be turned out and exercised regularly even in cold wet conditions. Rain rot is caused by Dermatophilus spp bacteria that normally live without consequence in the equine coat. However a rain followed by slow-drying humid conditions enables the organism to multiply which irritates the hair follicles and skin of afflicted horses.
A very highly effective is the antifungal dust captan. Bathe the horse to remove surface dirt and any loose scabs then rinse a solution of ½ oz. Captan to 150 oz.
Of water over the infected areas. Pour it on or apply with a sponge. Scrape away the excess then let it dry on the coat.
When horses are kept continuously outside in poorly drained pastures or muddy paddocks the conditions are favorable for skin problems such as rain rot also called rain scald and mud fever. Rain rot and mud fever is caused by the same bacteria dermatophilus congensis although it acts like both fungus bacteria. Rain rot comes from the bacterium dermatophilus congolensis.
This bacteria is in a family called actinomycetes these little things act like both bacteria and fungi. Horses naturally have these organisms on their skin. They lay dormant until rainy wet conditions cause it to flare-up.
Rain rot does best in warm wet weather. When the skin is saturated or broken by bugs or cuts the bacteria can get in. Simply pulling the scabs off or brushing your horse out does not treat the bacteria.
Not treating the initial outbreak of rain rot can allow the bacteria to spread and continue to be a problem for your horse. While spending as much time as possible at pasture can be good mentally for your horse if you live in an area with wet or very humid conditions your horse might be at risk of contracting a. Curing Rain Rot.
The organism responsible for rain rot requires moisture and heat but it hates oxygen. In fact it cant grow well or reproduce as much in a high oxygen environment. We can use this information to our advantage when attempting to cure rain rot.
Your horse will need to be kept in a dry and clean area. Rain Rot Salve. Large tub of cocoa butter Vaseline I buy regular Vaseline and add natural cocoa butter but both ways work Powdered Sulfur Lowes or Home Depot in the garden center Lily Miller is the brand I use and it is about 5 for one pound which will last you forever.