home, farm, & garden by Sarah Southard, DVM
APRIL SHOWERS...
...bring May flowers. And those showers are music to the ears of livestock owners
waiting patiently for lush spring grass growth. They also bring all sorts of other, not so pleasant possibilities. For horses, spring rains can mean issues with a skin infection like rain rot or an infection of the hoof known as thrush. For sheep and goats, the added moisture can lead to scald, an inflammation and infection between the toes of sheep and goats. This may also lead to footrot, an infection of the hoof itself, caused by two different bacteria working together to destroy the horn material of the hoof. This month let's talk about rain rot. In the coming months, I will address some of these other wetweather issues. Rain rot is a relatively common problem in equines. Any high-moisture situation, not just rainy seasons, can lead to an infection of dermatophilus congolensis on a horse's skin. Any horse can become infected, but equines that have a weakened immune system due to things such as systemic disease or malnutrition are at a greater risk. The lesions that develop with infection are not usually itchy, but they can be painful. 336.957.1686
Thankfully, rain rot is generally easily treated. The scab lesions that form should be softened and removed. The affected area will lose hair along with the scabs. An antimicrobial shampoo will help bring the bacterial infection under control. The skin will heal and hair should begin to regrow in about 10 days after the infection is controlled. In complicated or prolonged cases, systemic antibiotics or prescription shampoos may be needed. Consult your veterinarian before beginning any treatment protocols. There are steps to help prevent dermatophilosis. Regularly grooming your horse spring through fall helps with proper shedding and skin cleanliness. Long hair coats during warm weather or during seasons with fluctuating temperatures can create a favorable environment for rain rot infection. Trauma to the skin caused by biting insects also predispose horses to dermatophilus colonization. Maintaining a good fly control program helps prevent rain rot (and many other problems.) Keep horses dry as much as possible. If a horse develops infection, keep it isolated from other horses to help prevent spread of the infection. Also, clean and disinfect all grooming tools used on the affected animal prior to using them on other horses. As we welcome spring, warmer temperatures, and a new growing season, be vigilant regarding moisture control for your equines. Monitor regularly for any scabby, raw, or bald areas particularly along the topline. Remedy any problems quickly so that your horse is ready to hit the trails as soon as you are. 276-236-4137
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A Family Owned & Operated Full-Service Jewelry Store Established in 1977
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roysdiamond.com SURRY LIVING April 2022 Issue • 15
