Armchair vets needed: help with scratches

[JB]

[QUOTE=Texarkana;8151596]
After years of battling scratches with horses in my care, I now take a more holistic approach.

Any/all of the suggestions above will work to clear up scratches, but the scratches will potentially keep recurring until you find the “real” problem making your horse susceptible. Healthy horses don’t get scratches for no reason, not even horses with white socks in tall, dewey grass. Maybe it’s the stress of being in a new location. Quite often it is a nutritional deficiency, imbalance, or intolerance. Sometimes it’s another underlying health issue. Address the issue and clearing up/preventing scratches will become a million times easier.[/QUOTE]

I agree.

Until it proves to be an issue with photosensitivity that is inherent to that horse

Far more often though yes, it is a dietary deficiency - copper, zinc, Vit A, etc.

Sometimes it isn’t

[Texarkana]

[QUOTE=JB;8151853]
I agree.

Until it proves to be an issue with photosensitivity that is inherent to that horse

Far more often though yes, it is a dietary deficiency - copper, zinc, Vit A, etc.

Sometimes it isn’t :([/QUOTE]

Photosensitivity is an underlying health issue, which was my entire point.

Treat the scratches, but you really need to pinpoint the cause. Otherwise it’s a losing battle.

[JB]

I agree it’s an underlying health issue, but it’s not always something that can be fixed, only managed. Some horses simply have to get off legumes (ie no alfalfa, no soy), but others truly have to be limited in the amount of sun exposure their white (usually) legs/nose get.

Yes, they are a symptom, but the cause is not always something you can fix.

Drafts carry a disease called Chronic Progressive Lympedema which presents initially as “just” scratches, but it’s not, and no matter how well you treat him, internally or externally, the disease is still there and will progress, usually to the point of PTS.

[merrygoround]

If you are not into mixing things, Get some Equishield CK cream, Rub in, do not scrub.The next time you rub in later that day or the next day massage it in gently, the scabs will slide off. Keep repeating til it heals. Same technique works with the Desitin , Nolvasan, Cortisone combo.

[Real_Rush]

Just wanted to drop in and say thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions. I picked up the Desitin mix ingredients Friday after work and immediately went and put some on. As of yesterday afternoon, the scabs were definitely softer and looks like they’re shrinking some. I’ve been so busy with work lately, I don’t get over to feed her every day, but all she gets now is a ration balancer anyway. Very atypical easy keeper TB. I’ve owned her for 3 years and she’s never had scratches before, despite going out on pasture at home, so I’m pretty sure it’s the lack of consistent nutrition. I may just have to bring her back home where she can be taken care of daily. Anyway, thanks again for all the help!

[ReveilleandRinsie]

If you need one more bit of input: I scrub with Betadine and then use a 2:1:1 mix of Desitin 40%, antibacterial ointment like Neosporin, and miconazole. Chlorhexidine didn’t work as well as the Betadine did. Scratches haven’t been as much of a problem in TN as they were in ID, so it might be a nutritional issue as well as a bacteria issue.

[Equibrit]

[QUOTE=lintesia;8151462]
Where can you get Nolvasan cream? I love this stuff but haven’t seen it available for years and years![/QUOTE]

http://www.allivet.com/p-880-nolvasan-antiseptic-ointment.aspx is 1%

There are several cheaper brands.(and higher percentage)
https://www.calvetsupply.com/print_catalog/Healing_Agents_Creams_Ointments

[katyb]

[QUOTE=JB;8151853]
I agree.

Until it proves to be an issue with photosensitivity that is inherent to that horse

Far more often though yes, it is a dietary deficiency - copper, zinc, Vit A, etc.

Sometimes it isn’t :([/QUOTE]

Vitamin A supplementation has cleared up all the skin ickies (scratches, rain rot) that I’ve dealt with on numerous foster horses. I read about it on a message board, didn’t really buy in, but also had fosters that weren’t going to tolerate invasive topical treatment. Every horse has cleared up in 2 weeks, with no topical treatment, and I’ve never had a recurrence.

[katyb]

[QUOTE=Real Rush;8154509]
Just wanted to drop in and say thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions. I picked up the Desitin mix ingredients Friday after work and immediately went and put some on. As of yesterday afternoon, the scabs were definitely softer and looks like they’re shrinking some. I’ve been so busy with work lately, I don’t get over to feed her every day, but all she gets now is a ration balancer anyway. Very atypical easy keeper TB. I’ve owned her for 3 years and she’s never had scratches before, despite going out on pasture at home, so I’m pretty sure it’s the lack of consistent nutrition. I may just have to bring her back home where she can be taken care of daily. Anyway, thanks again for all the help! :)[/QUOTE]

Try 5 cc of cattle injectable vitamin A, top dressed on her feed once a week for 2-3 weeks. It’s easy. Cheap. Can’t hurt (at that dosage, for that time period).

[katyb]

[QUOTE=Real Rush;8154509]
Just wanted to drop in and say thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions. I picked up the Desitin mix ingredients Friday after work and immediately went and put some on. As of yesterday afternoon, the scabs were definitely softer and looks like they’re shrinking some. I’ve been so busy with work lately, I don’t get over to feed her every day, but all she gets now is a ration balancer anyway. Very atypical easy keeper TB. I’ve owned her for 3 years and she’s never had scratches before, despite going out on pasture at home, so I’m pretty sure it’s the lack of consistent nutrition. I may just have to bring her back home where she can be taken care of daily. Anyway, thanks again for all the help! :)[/QUOTE]

Try 5 cc of cattle injectable vitamin A, top dressed on her feed once a week for 2-3 weeks. It’s easy. Cheap. Can’t hurt (at that dosage, for that time period).