{"id":36575,"date":"2022-05-04T10:43:16","date_gmt":"2022-05-04T14:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yourhorsefarm.flywheelsites.com\/?p=36575"},"modified":"2022-05-04T10:43:16","modified_gmt":"2022-05-04T14:43:16","slug":"rain-rot-in-horses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yourhorsefarm.com\/rain-rot-in-horses\/","title":{"rendered":"Rain Rot in Horses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rain rot, technically known as\u00a0<\/span>dermatophilosis,<\/span><\/i> is often mistakenly believed to be caused by a fungus. However, this condition is actually\u00a0caused by the bacteria, <\/span>Dermatophilus congolensis<\/span><\/i>. Interestingly enough, the same bacteria\u00a0are also responsible for heel dermatitis (also known as<\/span> Scratches or Mud Fever<\/span>).\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

According to Merck Veterinary Manual, this bacteria lives dormant within the horse\u2019s skin until the skin becomes compromised in some way. This can happen when there\u2019s prolonged wetness, high humidity, high temperatures, or even attacks from biting insects. However, rain rot is most often seen in horses with compromised immune systems (from improper nutrition, old age, or Cushing\u2019s disease). In some cases, it may also be spread from horse to horse by biting insects, shared saddle pads, or shared grooming supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rain rot is fairly easy to identify because of the peeling skin lesions which scab over, often leaving bald spots once they come off. But a veterinarian can confirm the diagnosis by examining a skin scraping under the microscope and\/or having it cultured.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Treating Rain Rot<\/b><\/h3>\n

Rain rot may clear up on its own, but you can hasten your horse\u2019s recovery by using an iodine-based, medicated, or herbal shampoo and\/or topical treatment. In the early stages, a tea tree oil-based shampoo may help, but according to <\/span>Horse Journal<\/span><\/i>, Absorbine Medicated Shampoo and Spray is a better option for moderate cases. <\/span>Horse Journal <\/span><\/i>also recommends the tea tree oil-based sheath cleaner, Excalibur by Farnam for use on areas with thick scabbing. Vetricyn spray is another topical option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Preventing Rain Rot<\/b><\/h3>\n

Since rain rot is associated with a compromised immune system, supporting your horse with nutrition is one of the best ways to prevent the condition. Trace minerals, especially copper and sulfur should not be neglected. (Feeding MSM is one way to add supplementary sulfur.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Helpful herbs to feed include:<\/strong><\/h3>\n