Can you put “too much” product on a horse with rainrot?

[shadesofbay3]

my horse is a chronic rain rot sufferer, and my current protocol has been-

1. medicated bath 3-4x a week
2. either spraying banixx on affected areas or applying coat powder like coat defense or keratex mud shield powder

i also usually keep her clipped to treat her better

would it be overkill or detrimental to do all of the above in my treatment protocol? IE- bath, apply banixx spray, and then the coat powder? i feel that may be two much but don’t have evidence in my case if the powder or spray work better

lastly, i know there is no real prevention for rain rot but heard that a 50:50 spray of baby oil and vinegar on a dry coat can keep it at bay… anyone had luck with this?

[mmeqcenter]

Baby oil should not be left on, especially if there’s open skin without hair, it will cause them to sunburn.

I have used baby oil to scrub all the crusties off per the recommendation of a vet, then wash off really well with dawn dish soap. Then apply a topical like coat defense. I think two topicals at one time is overkill but idk if it would be damaging.

I think four baths a week is likely working against you, as that is a lot and stripping a lot of their natural oils. If the rain rot is that bad I would look into systemic reasons.

I have used a diluted solution of brown mouthwash (antiseptic without Sugar or flavors) sprayed on as a preventative, it seemed to work pretty well.

[shadesofbay3]

I’ve heard the same about over washing as well, but her case currently is definitely not to the point of needing antibiotics or anything… it’s actually now thankfully only on her croup, so we are slowly but surely getting there

i’ve never heard of the dish soap. that’s the problem there are so many different ways to treat! i think the baths (not too frequently) and the powder might be the way to go; seems to be working in our case currently

the baby oil was for a healthy cost to protect against it occurring, don’t know if that makes a difference for using it… i will definitely look into the mouthwash… heard about that as treatment but not as preventive! thanks

[sheltona01]

Where in the country do you live? Different area of the country tend to treat it differently depending on the environment. What really helped my guy in VA, is every week or so I would sprinkle athletes foot power under his blankets.

[shadesofbay3]

we are in VA too

[shadesofbay3]

what are your thoughts on our other ways to treat, since you are also in VA?

[McGurk]

@shadesofbay3,

If it is truly rain rot, and not some other sort of skin crud, it is caused by anaerobic bacteria, Dermatophilus congolensis, that thrives in dirty, damp, low oxygen conditions. Putting on too much goop is a bad idea, because you’re creating the anaerobic environment that the bacteria likes. Definitely stop the baby oil!

Take photos of the horse’s skin and text to your vet to confirm that it is bacterial rain rot, not another condition with another cause. (Fungus, allergy, dermatitis, parasite, a different bacteria.)

You need to focus on keeping the areas clean and dry. Body clipping or clipping the affected areas can help, then bathing with a good antibacterial soap. A mild astringent can help. And air! It needs to be exposed to air! (This is the rational behind scrubbing all the scabs off. The bacteria live under the scab, exposing them to air kills them.)

Clean and dry, clean and dry, clean and dry. Less goop. More air.

I like @mmeqcenter’s suggest of a dilute mouthwash mixture.

[McGurk]

I’m going to guess that what your horse had was a skin fungus, and that’s why it responded to the anti-fungal in the athlete’s foot powder.

[JB]

@shadesofbay3

i know there is no real prevention for rain rot

that depends on what’s causing it. If it’s really immune issues, like can come with PPID even when medicated, then no.

But if it’s diet-related then usually yes

[McGurk]

That is a great point, @JB

My Cushings senior citizens episodes of rain rot improved dramatically when he started Prascend. Wish I had started it sooner.

ETA: @shadesofbay3, is this the Cushings horse that you mentioned in the clipping thread? If so, then medicating for the Cushings is the first step, then follow with the other things discussed.

[shadesofbay3]

thanks. no, i haven’t done the baby oil, just read about it

i’ve heard conflicting things about removing the scabs? some say leave on and others say remove. obviously removing always better access to treat them

and yes, same horse, and yup she’s on her daily prascend

[sheltona01]

So I don’t live there any more. In my experience people classify a bunch of issues as rainrot. What is rainrot in one part of the country is different in other locations. I was just addressing what worked for me for most of it. Once it was gone or mostly gone, it helped it not to come back.

I lived in VA Beach with very high humidity being next to the ocean. The biggest issue is things wouldn’t dry at all or very quickly, so there was always skin funk happening. I assumed the power kept it dryer under the blanket and made the environment less friendly to it.

On his legs was a different story because of the condensation from the grass everyday. If it was a bad case, the only thing made it go away was a mixture of baby oil and Chlorhexidine. It was what the local vet recommended. It was to be used sparingly because it dried out the skin.

[McGurk]

The “conflict” is that most people call all skin crud “rain rot.” If the skin condition isn’t true bacterial rain rot, scrubbing the scabs out may be unnecessary. If it is true bacterial rain rot, removing the scabs is essential.

So take photos and send them to your vet and make sure that’s what you’re dealing with before devising a treatment plan.

[luvmyhackney]

I only bath once and then keep it as dry as possible. I use Gold Bond daily. Usually clears up within a week.

If cushings horse look at upping vitamin e. They did the trick for my pony.