Equine Diseases

EQUINE NODULAR SKIN DISEASES

INTRODUCTION

Skin diseases are part and parcel of owning a horse.  When you consider the myriad bacteria, fungi, insects and viruses that are prevalent in the everyday life of a horse, nodular skin disease can be taken as a given.  Even with the best of care, skin diseases are common.

Skin diseases can be infectious and non-infectious.  The most common of the infectious skin diseases are, ringworm, rain rot, rain scald, rain rash, mud fever, cracked heels, scratches, greasy heel, mud rash, dew poisoning,  common skin tumours, warts, mange, parasatic infestations, and sweet itch.

The most common of the non-infectious diseases are dermatitis , hives, mud fever, greasy heal, scratches, cracked heels and squamous cell carcinoma - a malignant skin tumor of the outermost layer of the skin.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF NODULAR SKIN DISEASES

Let’s look at some of the symptoms which would indicate your horse has some sort of skin disease:

scurvy lumps
Itchiness
crusty areas
hair loss

CAUSES OF NODULAR SKIN DISEASE

There are many and varied cause of nodular skin disease including insect bites, ill-fitting tack, viruses and neglect.

TREATMENT FOR SKIN DISEASES

Fastidious cleansing is the pre requisite in the treatment of any equine skin disease.  Next there are many over-the-counter applications which will be of great benefit for most of the non-infectious diseases.   Most of these skin conditions and diseases are generally itchy, annoying or even painful for horses, so soothing unguents will be a welcome relief.  

For more serious contagious diseases you will need to call in your vet for a treatment.