Posted 2010-09-08 4:32 AM (#124549) Subject: Rain Rot
Regular
Posts: 88
I know what it is, but what causes it? We have been treating our horses off and on all summer. It goes away after the treatments, but comes back a few days later. Does anyone have any preventative items.
Posted 2010-09-08 9:01 AM (#124560 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: Gallatin, TN
If it comes back a few days after it has gone away it may be that you need to treat for a few days after it has gone away to make sure all of the bacteria is gone and not just the sores being cleaned up. It's kind of like taking all your medication even after you feel better. LOL.
We use MTG when any of our horses get rain rot and have never had it come right back. It usually clears up within 2 - 3 days but we continue the treatment for 3 - 4 days after it appears cleared up.
Posted 2010-09-08 12:42 PM (#124587 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Regular
Posts: 88
It is an infection/virus of the skin. At the early stages it looks like a heavy case of dandruff. As it progresses scabs appear and hair starts falling out. I have been told that the horses don't mind it. It sure looks like it would itch like crazy.
Posted 2010-09-10 10:46 AM (#124697 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Newton, NJ
Had a horse boarded at a stable for a while and when I went away on vaca for a week, I came back to find her with a very bad case. Loaded her in the trailer and took her home. Treated it with several different topical applications, but it did effect her badly and she developed a fever. The vet prescribed antibiotics along with the betadine wash. Took a couple of weeks to clear up, but once the scabs were all gone she seemed ok. Still couldn't ride for a couple more weeks as she was sensitive on her back.
Posted 2010-09-10 11:27 AM (#124704 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Veteran
Posts: 231 Location: Illinois
I bath them with an iodine shampoo or betadine shampoo..and then use the MTG...that stuff stinks like smokey bacon grease, but works wonders...keep applying for a few days even after it appears to be gone...Good Luck
Posted 2010-09-10 1:50 PM (#124711 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368 Location: Georgia
I have used 50/50 white vinegar and rubbing alcohol with success. Sounds harsh, but my horse did not seem to mind it and it really worked. Much less expensive than some of the medicated topicals.
Posted 2010-09-10 6:41 PM (#124725 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Veteran
Posts: 178 Location: Richmond, Ky
I used a very similar recipe, only it was apple cider vinegar, and pure ole hand sanitizer, seems to be doing the trick so far. I do believe the trick is to keep-em out of the morning dew and then turn them out.
Posted 2010-09-12 5:53 AM (#124771 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I used vetrycin once also.. I showed it to my vet and he said it is mainly bleach. I have since used a 1:10 ratio of bleach and water and have had success.
Posted 2010-09-13 11:59 PM (#124853 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
yep... i paid 30 bucks for my first (and only) bottle.. Am ever so grateful that I showed it to my vet because I was desperate and would've paid the money
Posted 2010-09-17 11:03 PM (#124982 - in reply to #124853) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: ohio
My horse kept getting rain rot late summer into early fall when there was no rain for weeks. I kept treating it with MTG which works but after a few weeks it came back and this went on and on. He is a SSH with a lot of white so naturaly he rolls when turned out 24/7. Our soil is black sand and it does not come out with just shampoo. I have to take the water hose and apply pressure and go inch by inch through his whole back and rump to wash the sand out. After riding I would wash his back off and since it was so hot would just leave him wet to dry natural. I did this most of the summer as we camped a lot. That is where I was getting into trouble, I was keeping him wet and he would keep the rain rot. Then I was reading about rain rot somewhere and realized it was my fault for keeping him wet. This summer I used iodine shampoo and dry him off each time I bath him or just sponge him off after a day of trail riding. I have not had any rain rot this whole year so I must be doing something right!
Posted 2010-09-20 8:45 AM (#125035 - in reply to #124724) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Expert
Posts: 2614
Originally written by brushycreekranch on 2010-09-10 6:39 PM
Listerine!
That is all I've ever found that really works.I'm from AR too,and,you remember what a wet winter and spring that we had here.I keep a spray bottle of it and mist my horses'coats on a mild winter day often,and,then I spray them with it in the spring.Have not had a case of it return,yet.
Posted 2010-09-22 6:53 PM (#125129 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Milton, FL
I also have good results with Listerine. Be sure not to get the blue or green. Use the yellow only. Another trick I found helpful - I dip a brush in it then brush them well with it. That avoids infecting others and helps get the listerine down to the skin without getting it all over me.
Posted 2010-11-08 5:03 AM (#126781 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Regular
Posts: 88
Up Date:
Vet recommended baby oil. Just had to keep the areas moist with it for a week than scrub the areas with Dawn dish to remove the oil and all the scabs. They have been rain rot free for a month!
Posted 2010-11-08 3:02 PM (#126817 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
Don't forget the spore that causes this stuff is very, contagious. It may reside on your horse blankets, your curry combs, any thing that comes into contact with the spore.
It is fungal, not bacterial. You need a fungicide for optimal treatment.
Posted 2010-11-09 11:23 AM (#126866 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Veteran
Posts: 114
Just had to chime in here. Rain rot is not a fungus!! It is bacteria. (ringworm is fungal)Betadine is very effective in the long run, Listerine and some of the others work well too. (Betadine has residual killng for hours).
Posted 2010-11-10 4:49 AM (#126886 - in reply to #124549) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Regular
Posts: 88
We tried antibacterial shampoos, Listerine, Betadine. Some of the treatments had to be done daily for a week or more. Nothing seemed to work till our vet suggested baby oil. Still needed to apply for a number of days in a row but it WORKED. And yes we have wash or soaked everything that contacts the horses in bleach.
Posted 2010-11-10 9:58 AM (#126899 - in reply to #126886) Subject: RE: Rain Rot
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
"The organism dermatophilus congolensis causes rain rot. dermatophilus congolensis is not a fungus. It is an actinomycetes, which behaves like both bacteria and fungi"
ghbb41, seems we were both right and wrong. Seems anything that exposes the infection to oxygen will work in treating it. Even plain soap and water, after removing the scabs, so that oxygen can get in contact with the infection.
Rain Rot
