Things To Know About Equine Dermatology

5. Equine skin can be damaged by sun and UV light. Non-pigmented skin is especially prone to sunburn from extended exposure to UV light. Photosensitization, a sensitivity to UV light that can lead to ulceration of the skin, is a separate condition, but can be difficult to distinguish based on outward appearance. Photosensitivity can be an indicator of underlying health conditions such as liver disease or ingestion of bacterial or fungal toxins.

Ivermectin can be a useful tool for treating summer sores, but may only be effective after surgical intervention. Summer sores, or habronematidosis (formerly habronemiasis), are caused by the larval form of stomach worms in the genus Habronema. While ivermectin has historically been effective against worms in the stomach (intestinal strongyles), it often needs to be used along with other medical treatment such as corticosteroids and/or surgical intervention (debulking or cryotherapy) for treating Habronema skin lesions.

7. Frequent bathing of a horse’s legs will not make scratches worse. It is important to keep horses’ legs clean and bathing them often has not been shown to cause scratches, or to make them worse. Medicated shampoos can sometimes even improve the condition. Although bathing itself is not problematic, ensure that legs are dried after washing, especially before going into a stall or getting wraps or boots put on as these can trap moisture against the skin, which can aggravate scratches.

8. Chronic skin diseases can predispose affected horses to secondary infections. Secondary bacterial or yeast infections often develop as a result of skin inflammation. These infections can cause increased discomfort, worsen existing inflammation, and delay healing. Antibiotics may be required to treat the infection.

9. Breeders can use genetic tests to avoid producing foals affected with some of the most severe equine skin conditions. Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) and fragile foal syndrome type 1 (FFS1) are inherited skin diseases that result in death or humane euthanasia of affected foals at early ages due to the severity of clinical signs. Although life expectancy for horses with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) is longer, most affected horses are eventually humanely euthanized. Note: The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory offers genetic tests for all of these diseases. Genetic testing information can be used to avoid breeding carriers and producing affected foals.