Posted 2005-10-18 7:23 PM (#31962) Subject: bumps on horse's back and sides
Veteran
Posts: 168 Location: Stem NC
I just bought a horse who has had bumps on him for a long period of time. They are raised and about as big as a pencil eraser around but not quite that high.
Does anyone know what ther are and how to get rid of them? Someone told me they were rain rot. You get rid of rain rot with betadine shampoo don't you?
Posted 2005-10-19 7:24 AM (#31972 - in reply to #31962) Subject: RE: bumps on horse's back and sides
Regular
Posts: 81
Without seeing a picture, the bumps could be a few things.
1. If the bumps are under the skin and there's no hair loss or scabbing, they could be spider bites. If your horse is in pasture, he could've gotten in some tall weeds and offended a family of those ugly little creatures.
2. If the bumps are on top of the skin, there is scabbing and hair loss, they are probably rain rot. Although I've not seen rain rot on the sides of a horse.
3. Sweet Itch will cause hair loss, the bumps will look like poison ivy bumps, then open up and seep and cause the horse horrible misery from itching, then pain after rubbing itself raw to get away from the itch. Sweet Itch is caused by the bites from midge flies. Not all horses get it - depends on their skin sensitivity.
If it is rain rot, betadine wash will help early on. MTG may help after washing with betadine. Someone on another message board uses Listerine. They said Listerine helps with tail itch too (unless the horse has pinworms and is itching its tail because of them).
Listerine makes sense after I thought about. I haven't tried it yet, but there's a bottle in my barn now.
Regarding the Sweet Itch, I had to have the vet out the first time. Now I know what to look for before it gets out of control, and I bought SWAT to put anywhere a spot develops. SWAT will keep the flies off the open sore, while giving it time to heal up.
Posted 2005-10-19 8:13 AM (#31976 - in reply to #31962) Subject: RE: bumps on horse's back and sides
Veteran
Posts: 168 Location: Stem NC
well there is no breaking of the skin except where my saddle pad rubs them on the top of his back. Hair covers them and if you look at them and squeeze a little there is a yellow core about the size of a pin prick. The whole bump is smaller than your little fingernail.
Does those sound like spider bites? How long does it take them to go away.
Posted 2005-10-19 1:00 PM (#32002 - in reply to #31962) Subject: RE: bumps on horse's back and sides
Regular
Posts: 81
It is best to call the vet as has been mentioned. If you find out that it is some sort of skin allergy, then you'll know what to watch for when it happens again and be able to treat it yourself.
Also, since the blanket and saddle are causing the bumps to open, might want to consider not riding until whatever this is gets cleared up.
Posted 2005-10-22 8:01 PM (#32175 - in reply to #31962) Subject: RE: bumps on horse's back and sides
Veteran
Posts: 168 Location: Stem NC
Thank you. Someone today told me about a parasite problem. The old owner wormed once a year after the first frost. Parasites sould like it. I was told to work him twice in two weeks.
Posted 2005-10-29 6:33 PM (#32497 - in reply to #31962) Subject: RE: bumps on horse's back and sides
Regular
Posts: 80 Location: Grabiteville,sc
Hmm I agree with the rest. Ask a vet. From what i have seen before i don't recall rain rot having pus included. But its been awhile since i have seen it. If it is rainrot as was said betadine wash does help.
bumps on horse's back and sides
