Page 827 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Treating the lesions

PREPARATION
VetBooks.ir • The affected area should be carefully clipped, taking care not to traumatize the skin

further. This may be done with clippers or a good pair of curved scissors.

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• Then use a diluted antiseptic wash such as chlorhexidine (Hibiscrub ) to remove as
many of the unhealthy, crusty scabs as possible. Only remove those that come away
easily. Clipping and cleaning may be easier said than done as the horse is often very sore.
You may need your vet to help by sedating the horse and giving painkillers.

• Next, gently rinse and then blot the skin dry with clean, absorbent tissue. Rubbing it with

a towel will be painful for the horse and could cause further damage to the skin.
• In severe cases, it may be necessary to apply a warm poultice for the first couple of days,

but talk to your vet first. More moisture may make the condition worse.

DRESSINGS

In the early stages, open wounds resulting from the removal of the scabs should be covered
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with a non-stick dressing applied under cotton wool or Gamgee , held in place with
bandages. This keeps the lower limb warm, clean and dry. It may help to leave the legs

unbandaged for at least an hour a day to allow the area to ‘breathe’. The horse may be stood
in an empty box for this short time. Treatment of the sore areas needs to be repeated daily

until the condition is under control.

ANTIBIOTICS AND NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

MEDICATION

Severe cases with obvious infection often require a course of antibiotics given orally or by
injection. Antibiotic creams may be applied to the infected skin. Your vet may also prescribe

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone to reduce the pain and
swelling.

TOPICAL TREATMENTS

There are numerous topical treatments that can be used as an emollient to maintain hydration
of the skin. These include soothing ointments, gels and creams, some of which contain

antibiotics or silver sulfadiazine, which has antibacterial properties. Many of these
preparations soften the remaining scabs so they lift easily from the skin.