Does anybody still use procaine penicillin to treat really bad cases of rain rot? Was telling a friend about it, but not sure if this is still an accepted form of treatment anymore.
It’s acceptable if a skin scraping determines it’s got bacteria that would respond well to pen.
We came back from vacation to find our wooly pony covered in rain rot. We peeled off the scabs we could and covered him in Listerine. Did this daily and he healed up just fine. We rubbed the Listerine in. Sometimes mixed it with aloe.
[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;8159384]
We came back from vacation to find our wooly pony covered in rain rot. We peeled off the scabs we could and covered him in Listerine. Did this daily and he healed up just fine. We rubbed the Listerine in. Sometimes mixed it with aloe.[/QUOTE]
After knowing what Listerine feels like in my mouth, this sounds like it would be painful to the sensitive skin underneath a patch of rainrot :eek:
Dermatophilus congolensis, the causative organism of rain rot, is sensitive to penicillin.
Equiderma takes care of rain rot in about 2 days. You need to rub it completely into each area. It smells good and if fine to use with bare hands. Don’t know how I would have kept the crud off my OTTB without it. You can find them online, and they just started selling at a few places in MD, PM me if you want to know where.
I agree with SaratogaTB. Equiderma is the best thing going for all kinds of skin issues. Bruce Davidson turned me on to it while in Florida several years ago. We call it “The Most Coveted” product in the barn. It’s truly awesome and if you haven’t tried it you should! I make sure I’m never without it. Listerine? Hmmm, I’m thinking if I have sores on my butt I don’t want anyone to rub listerine into them. Just Sayin"…
From the MSDS for Equiderma;
Section 1 - Chemical Product and Company Identification
Company Identification:
Telesis Animal Health, Inc.
421 NW Bailey Grade Road
Greenville, Fl . 32331
For information, call: 800-573-1020
Emergency Number: CALL CHEMTREC AT 1-800-424-9300
Section 2 - Composition, Information on Ingredients
Aqueous Blend of Chlorhexadine Gluconate , Mineral and Trichlor-Methylthio .004%
Product Name- Equiderma Skin Lotion for Horses
Section 3 - Hazards Identification
If you check the active ingredients for most of the effective products you will find they are remarkably similar. You can buy a boat load of Chlorhexedine solution for the price of some of those fancy “lotions”.
http://www.lambertvetsupply.com/Chlorhexidine-Solution,-1-Gallon_p_3590.html?opt=9467&gclid=CJapt4aG1MUCFZE1aQodcTEAvg
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of Chlorhexidine Solution per gallon of clean water.
Chlorhexidine based is anti microbial and anti fungal best got for so many many things…My vet always recommend SMZ for skin related issues…and it works…in severe cases topical Medi Honey works miraculous …
Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. Not treating anyone for rain rot (do have one mare being treated for scratches, but that was a different post). Was just curious if penicillin was still a good/acceptable method of treatment.
(and thanks to Ghazzu and JB!)
Actually scratches is related and surprise , surprise, it also responds well to chlorhexadine based products. Either mix up your own chlorhexadine, desitin, & OTC cortisone, or by some Equishield CK, cream or spray.
Penicillin works very well for rain rot. I’m surprised it isn’t used (or suggested) more often for severe cases and/or those that aren’t responding to topical treatments.
No need to use equiderma when you can just buy a big bottle of the original Listerine and use it. It not only cures rain rot, it prevents it if you apply it at the first sign of skin problems. It also helps repel bugs and ticks.
I went into a feed store years ago to buy equiderma when my mare Callie showed the first few spots of rain rot. A guy who owned QHs was in there and said just go buy the Listerine. It did not make her flinch and has never bothered any of my horses when I have used it for various skin issues.
It also works well on dogs to help with skin issues.
[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;8159384]
We came back from vacation to find our wooly pony covered in rain rot. We peeled off the scabs we could and covered him in Listerine. Did this daily and he healed up just fine. We rubbed the Listerine in. Sometimes mixed it with aloe.[/QUOTE]
OUCH! Listerine has a lot of alcohol. Your pony is a saint!
For over a decade as a full time farrier I gave my clients chlorhexidine solution to treat rain rot, scratches, and other common skin funk. In hundreds of cases I have never seen chlorhexidine fail to eradicate the condition.
Ok, so my 18 yo looks to have a serious case of rain rot or scratches … all legs swollen and up to knees / hocks. immediately went to hosing down and cleaning all areas with Hibiclens (same as Chlorehexidne), using epsom salt for cooling/soothing, rubbing areas with sores with bea balm which he loves … In 2 - 3 days clearing up but he is still his energetic self … did put on u gard and gave bute for comfort. So I called my vet … said to give banamine and tetracycline. OK so I had the banamine gave an IM of that and picked up tetracycline today. I was surprised to see instructions of rubbing the tetracylcine into the affected areas … no shots … rub into affected areas! I did say it was more like rain rot, vet said scratches … thoughts on this? I just brought him in and he is more like himself … not 100% but I see the old guy coming thru … just curious about the tetracylcine and rubbing into the affected areas. Nothing else
We did two courses of pencillin on my guy that had the worst rain rot I’ve ever seen. It helped, but did not clear it completely.
Please don’t do IM banamine :no:
Scratches = lower legs
Rainrot = elsewhere
Working an abx topically works to topically kill bacteria that is present. I don’t know why she chose tetracycline over anything else but I’m sure there’s a good reason
what JB said!!!
Before you go the systemic route, try a commercial preparation called “Muck Itch.” You can get it at “Big Dee’s Tack” or straight from the manufacturer.
Never known to fail! 
