Equine Skin Allergies

a shorter period. Approximately 85 percent of horses that respond to the therapy need continued hyposensitization for life although often at decreased frequency.
Its Complicated
Pastern dermatitis is a clinical descriptive term for a disease complex that can be triggered by different causes. These can include environmental factors allergies drug reactions fungi bacteria parasites and sunlightinduced vascular changes of white legs. Extended exposure to moisture in the form of wet bedding muddy pastures etc. seems to be a common cause or perpetuating factor. Bacterial infections typically develop due to a damaged skin barrier. Underlying genetic components are considered for draft horses with chronic progressive lymphedema. 
There is currently no successful permanent treatment for CPL. Careful management supportive therapy and avoidance of secondary infections can improve the quality of life for affected horses. This involves antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections antiparasitic treatments to avoid reinfestation with Chorioptes mites keeping the feathers clipped short daily exercise routine foot ergot and chestnut trimming daily hoof cleaning and combined decongestive therapy CDT. The latter is very helpful and includes manual lymph drainage massage and compression bandaging both must be applied correctly and should only be performed by professionals. Horses should be kept in dry environments and pesticide applications may be required in barns to minimize mite infestations. These treatments are labourintensive and must be maintained for the life of the horse to minimize discomfort slow the progress of the disease avoid recurrent infections and ensure quality of life.