Dermatophilosis is a condition that horses can
contract. Dermatophilosis is a condition commonly referred to as rain
rot, rain scald, and streptothricosis. Dermatophilosis that appears on
the horses lower leg is often called dew poisoning. Although
Dermatophilosis can be seen throughout the country it is most common in
the southeastern portion of the United States where the weather
condition is frequently wet, warm, and humid.
Dermatophilosis is most commonly seen in horses mammals such as cattle,
sheep, and goats are also commonly affected. Dermatophilosis has also
been diagnosed in pigs, dogs, and cats although the condition is not as
common. A few rare cases of humans being affected with Dermatophilosis
have also been diagnosed.
The younger the horse the more likely it is to contractDermatophilosis.
Horse owners that have dealt with cases of Dermatophilosis say that
their horses had scabs or hive like bumps on that measured approximately
one fourth of an inch across, these hives are typically easy to peel or
rub off. Although these lesion were most commonly seen covering the
horses haunch area it is not uncommon to see the horse's entire body
affected by Dermatophilosis.
Many horse owners assume that the rain rot is caused by a fungus.
Dermatophilus congolensis is interesting because it shares charastics
with both fungus's and bacterias. They are wrong. Dermatophilosis is in
fact caused by an organism called dermatophilus congolensis. In horses
the dermatophilus congolensis works by entering the follicle of the
horses hair
shaft. Once it is in the horses hair shaft it can be seen in the form of
a large hive. When these hives are removed from the skin horse owners
can easily see several (literally dozens and dozens) of hairs embedded
in each large lump. Because the dermatophilus congolensis damages the
hair root removing these hives does not seem to bother or pain the horse
in
anyway. Once the scabs/hives are removed owners can see that the skin
under the hives is generally a pink color and oozing a yellow pus.
Horses affected by Dermatophilosis do not seem to be in pain nor do they
appear to be embarrassed by their condition. The only time the condition
appears to be painful is if the area affected is a covered with a
saddle. Owners who have a horse who has signs of Dermatophilosis on
their spine should refrain from riding until the condition has cleared.
Typically veterinarians do not recommend using any ointments to treat
Dermatophilosis because the ointments simply add moisture to the
affected areas of skin. One old time method for treating Dermatophilosis
is swapping the affected are with used motor oil (for some reason fresh
motor oil does not treat the affected area). Most owners like to bath
their
horses with antibacterial shampoos.
Dermatophilosis is contagious. If you have a horse that has been
affected try to separated it from its pasture mates. Make sure that you
keep its grooming supplies separated from other horses. Do not use leg
wraps, saddle blankets, splint boots, and halters on any other horses.
If you have to use equipment on other horses make sure you completely
disinfect all the equipment before it touches the hide of another horse.
Keeping equipment such as leg wraps and blankets dry will help prevent a
second outbreak of Dermatophilosis.
Because the skin that has been affected with Dermatophilosis is hairless
it is prone to sunburn. Rather then swap the bald patches with sunscreen
which adds moisture to the skin horse owners that keep their horses
outside should use a fly sheet to protect their horse from UV rays. The
blanket should be washed on a regular basis to kill the dermatophilus
congolensis.
