Equine Dermatophytosis

Dermatophytosis is a condition that horses can contract. Dermatophytosis is a condition commonly referred to as rain rot, rain scald, and streptothrichosis. Dermatophytosis that appears on the horses lower leg is often called dew poisoning. Although Dermatophytosis can be seen throughout the country it is most common in the southeastern portion of the United States where the weather condition is frequently wet, warm, and humid.

Dermatophytosis is most commonly seen in horses mammals such as cattle, sheep, and goats are also commonly affected. Dermatophytosis has also been diagnosed in pigs, dogs, and cats although the condition is not as common. A few rare cases of humans being affected with Dermatophytosis have also been diagnosed.

The younger the horse the more likely it is to contract Dermatophytosis.

Horse owners that have dealt with cases of Dermatophytosis say that their horses had scabs or hive like bumps on that measured approximately one fourth of an inch across, these hives are typically easy to peel or rub off. Although these lesion were most commonly seen covering the horses haunch area it is not uncommon to see the horse's entire body
affected by Dermatophytosis.

Many horse owners assume that the rain rot is caused by a fungus. Dermatophilus congolensis is interesting because it shares characteristics with both fungus's and bacterias. They are wrong. Dermatophytosis is in fact caused by an organism called Dermatophilus congolensis. In horses the Dermatophilus congolensis works by entering the follicle of the horses hair
shaft. Once it is in the horses hair shaft it can be seen in the form of a large hive. When these hives are removed from the skin horse owners can easily see several (literally dozens and dozens) of hairs embedded in each large lump. Because the Dermatophilus congolensis damages the hair root removing these hives does not seem to bother or pain the horse in
anyway. Once the scabs/hives are removed owners can see that the skin under the hives is generally a pink color and oozing a yellow pus.

Horses affected by Dermatophytosis do not seem to be in pain nor do they appear to be embarrassed by their condition. The only time the condition appears to be painful is if the area affected is a covered with a saddle. Owners who have a horse who has signs of Dermatophytosis on their spine should refrain from riding until the condition has cleared.

Typically veterinarians do not recommend using any ointments to treat Dermatophytosis because the ointments simply add moisture to the affected areas of skin. One old time method for treating Dermatophytosis is swapping the affected are with used motor oil (for some reason fresh motor oil does not treat the affected area). Most owners like to bath their
horses with antibacterial shampoos.

Dermatophytosis is contagious. If you have a horse that has been affected try to separated it from its pasture mates. Make sure that you keep its grooming supplies separated from other horses. Do not use leg wraps, saddle blankets, splint boots, and halters on any other horses. If you have to use equipment on other horses make sure you completely disinfect all the equipment before it touches the hide of another horse. Keeping equipment such as leg wraps and blankets dry will help prevent a second outbreak of Dermatophytosis.

Because the skin that has been affected with Dermatophytosis is hairless it is prone to sunburn. Rather then swap the bald patches with sunscreen which adds moisture to the skin horse owners that keep their horses outside should use a fly sheet to protect their horse from UV rays. The blanket should be washed on a regular basis to kill the Dermatophilus
congolensis.