Dr. Lowder,
I have a 18 month old Appaloosa. Last year when I rescued him he had rain rot. We ended up treating it both internally and externally. I have not noticed anything until now. I took him to a 4 day clinic for ground training and riding.
Since we have returned from clinic, now one week later he has a 6 in long crusty area under his main and all hair is gone. I notice that when I brush him and run my hand over different parts of his body, small crusty areas, with no hair loss ... this also was after clinic.
Neither area seems to bother him by itching. I am lost what to try now. Last year I used both povidine solutions and the nearest Equine Vet gave him something for internal fungus. It worked. This does not resemble last years problem as I stated before many areas you can feel a crusty substance under hair but no hair loss. He also had the same thing on bony area of back legs and eventually they opened up and now I am having a terrible time getting them to heal. The ones on his legs were healed at time of clinic but this long one on his neck and the ones under hair I noted after we returned from clinic.
He was stalled at clinic and usually is in pasture until winter. Would you have any idea what this might be? Do I need to have vet come back and see these areas. He was given clean bill of health 2 days before clinic an none of this was there. I would appreciate some help if you can. I have read all previous postings on hair loss and have no idea what this is.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Anita Clark
Anita,
First, you have to understand that "rain rot" is not caused by a fungus but a bacteria. I think your horse is getting the same thing again, especially with the legs doing what you say. I think you are looking at cleaning your brushes daily, grooming the horse daily and putting him on 7-10 days of penicillin. Talk with your vet and see what they think.
Thanks,
Dr. Lowder
