From: amy@meaddata.com (Amy Lehman)
Subject: Re: Rain Scald
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 19:33:40 GMT
Distribution: usa

In article <1992Nov11.150220.18862@pbs.org>, mdresser@pbs.org (Melanie Dresser) writes:
|> 
|> Quest got "rain rot"/"rain scald" this past summer.
|> He had never had this before and I was appalled when
|> he got it. I mean, according to my books, this happens
|> in unkempt horses--ones who aren't groomed regularly.
|> Well, Quest is one of the most well groomed and clean
|> horses in the barn, so it was probably what its like
|> for a parent if their kids are sent home from school
|> with lice (my mom's a school nurse, so this analogy
|> seems to enter my mind first :-))
|> But this was his first summer ever to have been in
|> any rain, and it was a very wet summer, so that
|> probably explains why he got it.
|> 
|> Now how to get rid of it.  I have several things
|> I tried, and since I'm not sure which one worked
|> best, I'll list them all.
|> First, its important to get the scummy scabs off.
|> This also means that a lot of hair comes off too,
|> but its the only way to effectively treat it.
|> Search for and pick off all scabs.
|> 
|> Mix baby oil and betadine solution (not betadine scrub)
|>    rub this into the affected area, then come back the
|>    next day and hopefully it will have softened the 
|>    scummies and they will easily come off.
|> 
|> (strangely enough Quest did not mind at all that I
|> was picking off the scabs and hair, though I know
|> it had to have been sensitive, since some areas even
|> bled just a tiny bit)
|> 
|> My vet gave me a powder to put on it.  Similar to
|> human Micatin for athletes feet. (personally I
|> don't think the powder did any good)
|> 
|> Desitin, the diaper rash ointment  I used this on the 
|> mud fever/scratches and it worked wonders.  I found it 
|> difficult to use on his back and rump for the rain rot 
|> though, cause they were larger areas.
|> 
|> Betadine washes. My vet said when bathing, put on the
|> betadine and let it sit for 20 minutes before washing off.
|> (and yes, that yellow betadine does easily wash off a
|> white horse without staining)
|> After rinsing that off I reapplied a diluted version of
|> the betadine and left it on. (don't use the scrub or it
|> will irritate the skin)
|> I also did more of the betadine and baby oil combo.
|> 
|> That fungus/bacteria just didn't have a chance  ;-)
|> 
|> Melanie
|>    and Quest, who is now fungus free 
|> -- 
|> **************************************************************
|>           Melanie L. Dresser	  mdresser@pbs.org    
|> **************************************************************
|> "In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant.
|> Well, for years I was smart; I recommend pleasant.  You may
|> quote me."  Elwood P. Dowd
|> **************************************************************


   When Sue Bishop's Quality came home from the breeder, Quality's
   back was covered with Rain Rot.  Quality was very senstive.  I
   mixed 1/2 teaspoon of Shaklee Basic G (germicide) with water in
   a 16 oz spray battle.  She would only let me get to one side of
   her really good, the other got just a light spray.  The next
   day, the side I got real good was practically clear.  I got the
   other side & she cleared up real easily :-)  

   It worked real good on Beau's mud fungus too.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   ,--,            
Amy Lehman                   _ ___/ /\|                 (513) 865-1045
Mead Data Central        ,;`( )__, )  ~              Data Technologies
P.O. Box 933            //  //   '--;                 amy@meaddata.com
Dayton, Ohio  45401     '   \     |             ...!uunet!meaddata!amy
                             ^    ^ Beau...appaloosa sweetheart
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