Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466 
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Post by Terry on Sept 5, 2014 2:45:12 GMT
Scratches
By: Dr. Lydia Gray
What is it?
Scratches is a relatively common skin disease of the heels and back of the pastern. Also known as "greasy heel," "mud fever," and "dew poisoning," veterinarians may refer to it as pastern dermatitis or pastern folliculitis. Repeated wetting and drying of the skin in this area seems to lead to the condition rather than infection by one particular organism, although bacteria and fungi are usually involved. Early on, the heels and pastern may be reddened, warm, and ooze a small amount of yellowish, watery liquid (serum). As the condition progresses, hair is lost, the area becomes thickened, and hard crusts or scabs of serum form. The condition is painful to the touch and may even cause the horse to become lame.
What can be done about it?
A veterinarian should diagnose the condition so that other diseases can be ruled out and appropriate treatment started. All crusts, scabs and dead tissue must be removed before healing can begin but this must be done gently and with only mild soap, if needed. Avoid harsh scrubbing and chemicals. Hair may need to be clipped away from the area. Ointments that have been recommended for Scratches include antibiotics, antifungals, steroids and other medications but these should only be applied on the advice of a veterinarian and only on clean, dry skin.
What else do I need to know?
Standing in muddy paddocks, grazing in wet pastures, and frequent bathing all weaken the skin's natural protective barrier and set the horse up for Scratches. If the horse cannot be kept in a dry environment, then a light barrier cream such as petroleum jelly may be applied to the pastern and heels before exposure to wet. Horses with long leg hair or feathers may benefit from removal of this hair so that moisture and contaminants are not trapped against the skin.
Information copied from www.smartpakequine.com/content/scratches-horse
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Sept 5, 2014 3:05:25 GMT
Thanks Terry!
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mddvm
New Member
Posts: 11
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Post by mddvm on Sept 5, 2014 11:22:24 GMT
Some interesting advise in this thread already - I have never heard of the sourkraut treatment. Cool if it works...
I've always had best success treating scratches by daily " firm but gentle" scrubbing with Nolvasan ( or any surgical prep). Allow 10 minutes contact time with skin before rinsing thoroughly. Pat dry and slather with Desitin (or any generic zinc oxide ointment). The zinc oxide will protect and soothe the skin and help loosen scabs.
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Sept 5, 2014 14:46:46 GMT
I'm currently trying a recipe I read about online that doesn't require me to order anything, it's all supplies I can buy at the local store. I just started this treatment a couple days ago, and I'm hoping that, now with her legs clipped to where it can actually get to the skin, I'll start seeing some results soon. Fingers crossed!
Here is the recipe for anyone who is interested:
4 oz. Desitin (40% Zinc Oxide) 2 oz. Triple Antibiotic Ointment (like Neosporin) 2 oz. Cortisone Cream 2 oz. Athlete's Foot Cream
Generic versions of these medicines are fine.
Mix it all together in a bowl and apply liberally twice a day.
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Post by Shelly on Sept 6, 2014 3:42:40 GMT
My old TB used to have them so bad, we had to keep him shaved (during "flare ups") and at one point it was so bad he had one giant scab going half way up his cannon bone of one of his back legs. The vet ended up giving me some "Special Formula" (that's the name, lol) It's actually used to treat mastitis in cow s... Not sure why it works but it does! He cleared up in about a week after applying it religiously and keeping his legs clean and dry.
An other thing that I found that worked (without a prescription from a vet) is any Clotrimazole cream (also known as Canesten). Name brand doesn't matter, but it helps us keep our other guy under control year round.
Best of love you luck! Nothing is more irritating then having to treat this year round! 884530
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Post by diamondgirl on Sept 6, 2014 4:06:15 GMT
 I was looking for a crossed fingers icon but I couldn't find one to send you. While I was looking Morris stepped on my mouse and sent you this one. I don't know what the silly kitten is trying to say, but I really hope this formula works well and you have the scratches cleared up in no time.
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Sept 6, 2014 15:12:04 GMT
DG, tell Morris thanks for the icon. 
Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Now that Zena's legs are clipped, the recipe I'm using is reaching the skin, and it does look like things are starting to improve a little, so I'm going to hold off on the sauerkraut wrap as a last resort (since Zena freaks out if something is wrapped around her legs, and I don't feel like getting kicked in the face if I don't have to). Hubby said it looks to him like the swelling is starting to go down. Yay! It's hard for me to tell sometimes since I'm looking at those legs every day, but he said they look much less swollen to him than they did last week.
Shelly, I've never heard of Clotrimazole cream. I assume it's something I can find in the pharmacy department at the store?
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Post by Shelly on Sept 7, 2014 5:07:40 GMT
Yep  It's women's umm.... area cream lol.. or when people have yeast on the skin in folds and such. It's an anti-fungle cream, you should be able to find it in a pharmacy. |
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Sept 8, 2014 3:02:01 GMT
Just thought I would update - it's been 3 days since I clipped Zena's legs. I've been using the recipe that I posted earlier on her scratches and I'm already seeing huge improvement, including much less swelling! Yay! Time to mix up a new batch.
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Post by Shelly on Sept 8, 2014 3:10:20 GMT
OH that's great! I'm glad to hear!! Mud fever is so irritating to deal with, glad your recipe is working |
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Post by lorddaxter on Sept 8, 2014 22:33:45 GMT
Don't envy you, as you know I went through this last year and the aromaheel was all that worked.
Thing is apparently its a different strain every year so what works once might not the next so you have to keep mixing it up, the silver AG is pretty good, I liked the wash:)
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Sept 15, 2014 19:37:25 GMT
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Post by horselady on Sept 15, 2014 20:13:12 GMT
Good news about the legs beginning to heal. i was going to say to be careful putting the saurkraute on her legs with too many open soars , but what you are doing seems to be helping. i wonder if the leg that is swollen might have a huge pus pocket and that is what is going up her leg, so double check on any scabs that might be attached and see if you can pick it off. of course get it real soft first. good luck  |
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Sept 15, 2014 21:06:03 GMT
The swelling is now completely gone. We just have a couple small areas left that have some small scabs on them. Otherwise she's looking good!
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Sept 16, 2014 12:35:52 GMT
Great news Terry!
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Post by Shelly on Sept 16, 2014 22:29:45 GMT
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Sept 17, 2014 0:02:59 GMT
The swelling is now completely gone. :) We just have a couple small areas left that have some small scabs on them. Otherwise she's looking good!
Yay! so happy to hear the good news!!! |
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Post by Shelly on Sept 17, 2014 0:38:32 GMT
Oh shoot, I didn't read your post, Very glad its healed Great news!! |
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I was looking for a crossed fingers icon but I couldn't find one to send you. While I was looking Morris stepped on my mouse and sent you this one. I don't know what the silly kitten is trying to say, but I really hope this formula works well and you have the scratches cleared up in no time.
It's women's umm.... area cream lol.. or when people have yeast on the skin in folds and such. It's an anti-fungle cream, you should be able to find it in a pharmacy. 
