Common Skin Problems of Horses and their Homeopathic Treatment at a glance
Rishi Kant1 and R.P. Diwakar2
1Assistant Professor Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, C.V.Sc.& A.H., A.N.D.U.T. Kumarganj Auodhya, U.P.,
2Assistant Professor Department of Veterinary Microbiology, C.V.Sc.& A.H., A.N.D.U.T. Kumarganj Auodhya, U.P.
Horse is an important animal for various activities like transportation, sports, riding, pharmaceuticals (development of antisera), meat, hide etc. For all these purpose we need a healthy animal with good skin coat. Skin quality of horse may be altered by various pathological conditions. In this article we shall come to know how various skin problems in horses can be treated or mitigated by homeopathy. Common skin problems in equines along with their homeopathic remedy are mentioned below:
Warbles: Hypoderma Bovis infestation, also known as warbles. This name is applied to the swelling met with on the skin of the horse, from the gad-fly depositing its eggs in the skin; a tumor, often as large as a pigeon’s egg, containing grubs and matter, being the result. The back and loins are the favorite places for the fly’s operations. There may be several such swellings. The treatment consists in cutting into each tumor, squeezing out its contents, and afterwards applying Sul-phurous acid three or four times a-day. The grubs should be burnt.
Fig.No.1 Larva of warble fly
Lice: Various species of lice infest the skin of all the domestic animals. Two species of lice can infest horses, Haematopinus asini, the horse bloodsucking louse, and Damalinia equi, the horse biting louse. Normally, the horse bloodsucking louse is found at the roots of the forelock and mane, around the base of the tail, and on the hairs just above the hoof. Severe itching is set up, to relieve which the animal scratches himself until his skin is tender and sore. Filth and poverty are favorable for the development of lice. There is a peculiar skin disease, named Phthiriasis sometimes met with amongst horses where poultry are kept, from transmigration of a particular louse from the fowl to the horse. The itching is so excessive, that the animal is constantly rubbing himself, stamping the ground, kicking his belly, biting his skin, and altogether in a very sorry plight. In consequence of the scratching, the hair is rubbed off, and the denuded surface is covered with blood, or various kinds of eruption. This louse may visit the groom. The treatment of lousiness consists in burning infected bedding and clothing ; in washing harness and brushes in hot water ; in attending to thorough cleanliness ; and in dressing every part of the hide with olive-oil, or, this failing, with Sulphurous acid. The eruption caused by the lice either disappears of itself after they are killed, or may be readily cured by giving the usual doses of Arsenicum three times a-day.
Fig.No.2: Lice infestation in a Horse
Scabies: Itch, Mange. The disease bearing these names arises from an insect or mite which burrows in the skin, and induces severe irritation, followed by various eruptions. Itch in the horse, according to the greatest authority, is excited by three species of insects, namely, the Sarcopies equi, which burrows in the skin ; the Dermatodectes equi, which bites and fastens itself to the skin ; and the Symhiotes equi, which penetrates no further than the superficial layer of the skin. The first closely resembles the Sorcoptes of man, both in its appearance, and in the general features of the eruption to which it gives rise. It can live on man, and excite an eruption, which is identical with that of human itch, and which may disappear spontaneously. Grooms attending “mangy” horses have been known to suffer from horse itch caused by the S. equi. Cattle also are affected by it, but experiments have as yet failed in transmitting it to sheep, dogs, pigs, and cats. The second parasite is the special itch insect of the horse, as, if transmitted to the skin of other animals, it speedily dies. In the horse, it gives rise to itching, loss of hair, and a scurfy condition of the skin. The third is found in clusters especially about the horse’s heels; then the animal rubs one leg on the other, stamps with his feet, attempts to bite the part, and crusts of scurf form. It is also peculiar to the horse, and cannot live on other species. In treatment, the object is to kill the parasites. Homeopathic remedies available are Tea tree oil, Aloe vera, Neem, Clove oil, Cayenne pepper, Turmeric, Zinc etc. are applied over skin. First, wash the whole body thoroughly with soft soap and warm water; then dry the skin. These applications may have to be repeated more than once; but one thorough application is generally sufficient as far as the destruction of the parasites is concerned, and the remaining eruptions usually disappear without any treatment. Sulphur Ointment is another good remedy, washing being used as directed. The whole body should be subjected to these processes at the same time, because if one parasite escapes destruction, others will soon be bred. The bedding should be burnt. The stable furniture and clothing should be thoroughly cleansed with soft soap and hot water.
Fig.No.3: Scabies symptoms over Neck region
Erythema: This occurs from friction between folds of skin, such as between the thighs, in the armpits, &c. The chafing of harness also causes it. Discharges running over the skin, as urine, may excite it. Hot water, sweating, accumulations of dirt, favor this disease. Another form arises mainly from pressure, as when horses are slung and when saddles and collars gall on the skin of the back and shoulders. Hence the name Saddle-gall is also applied. When the pressure is continued, the skin in the middle of the injured part becomes hard and gristly, and in some cases is separated from the surrounding healthy skin by an ulcerated furrow. This is Sitfast. Cracked Heels also belongs to this class. This very common disease of horses often arises from not properly washing and drying the heels, and especially if the horse be afterwards left in a draughty place. It is very apt to come on in frosty weather when the heels are not thoroughly dried, and also when poor horses are suddenly put on a liberal diet. The symptoms are plain enough. The animal becomes lame. One or more of the heels is found painful, hot, and swollen. The skin cracks and fluid exudes. In bad or neglected cases, deep ulcerations form, and the legs swell. The backs of the knees, and the bend of the hock and pastern joints, sometimes become the seat of slight suppuration.
Treatment: When the disease arises from friction and irritating discharges, the part must be thoroughly cleansed with tepid water and well dried, and then dusted with powdered starch, or fuller’s-earth. When the cause is pressure, the saddle or collar should be altered in such a way as to fit better, and Arnica Lotion applied frequently. In sitfast, the hardened skin may have to be cut out, in which case the resulting wound should be dressed with Calendula Lotion; if not, apply Arnica Lotion. For cracked heels, clip the hair close to the skin, foment if there is pain, poultice with bran if there is pain and discharge, and if there is ulceration apply Sulphurous acid night and morning. At the same time, give 10 drops of Arsenicum or of Sulphur three times a-day, and feed on mashes, boiled oats, hay, and carrots. Chapped teats will readily heal after a few applications of Sulphurous acid with a camel’s-hair pencil.
Fig.No.4: Saddle gall
Urticaria, Or nettle-rasli, known as “surfeit,” arises from indigestion, over-fatigue, and exposure to wet after a long journey. It is recognized by the sudden appearance of blotches, or elevations of the skin, varying in size from a coin to that of one’s hand, on different parts of the body. There is considerable heat of the skin, and itching. In mild cases, the general health is not affected, and the eruption does not continue long; whereas in others, there is some amount of feverishness, and the elevations are prone to reappear at intervals for some time. The treatment consists in giving mashes, but no corn, for a few days, and in giving Aconite, Antimonium crudum, Rhus Tox, or Arsenicum—the first medicine for feverishness ; the second, when the disease is associated with indigestion ; the third, when it is the result of cold ; and the fourth, in obstinate, or relapsing cases.
Fig.No.5: Localised swelling showing Urticaria in a horse
Lichen: Pimply eruptions are very common in horses. On stroking the skin with the point of the fingers, especially over the neck, shoulders, and hind-quarters, a lot of hard, gritty bodies are felt. On scratching one of these pimples with the nail, the top of it may peels off as scurf. These pimples may be as large as a hemp-seed; generally break out in spring; are of long duration and most difficult to cure. There is usually some itching and rubbing. Irritation and disorder of the stomach, drinking cold water whilst the body is heated and sudden exposure to damp and cold, are the chief causes. In treatment, Nux vomica or Antimonium crudum are required when there are symptoms of indigestion. Belladonna is required in those cases of papular eruptions which are attended with heat of skin, some feverishness, and great itching. Arsenicum proves of great service in all papular eruptions. Sulphur, also, is a valuable remedy. If there be reason to believe that parasites are the cause of the eruption and itching, dress with Sulphur Ointment,” or Sulphurous acid Lotion, night and morning. Attention must be paid to diet and exercise.
Prurigo: This disease is signalized by small pimples, heat of skin, and particularly by excessive itchiness. The horse rubs his neck, root of the tail, mane, against the wall, edge of the manger, or anything else, until the skin is red raw, and covered with small clots of blood. In some cases, the itching is intolerably severe, and the animal bites and rubs himself furiously. The legs are often mainly affected, and then he rubs one against the other, stamps impatiently, tries to nibble them, etc. Many of these cases depend upon a plethoric condition of the system, the result of over-feeding and want of exercise. Others are connected with the presence of parasites, and others are dependent on an excitation of the nerves distributed to the skin. In this latter case, there may be no primary eruption whatever, and those that arise secondarily are wholly due to rubbing and biting. Treatment is as of Lichen.
Eczema: When fully developed, diseased patches, varying in size and irregularly circular, are observed on different parts of the body. On the surface of these inflamed patches are clusters of small vesicles from which a serous fluid exudes, which presently concretes into scabs, and mats the hair together. In a few days the scabs and hair fall off, leaving the skin bare, inflamed, and moistened with exudation. Thin scales form from the drying of this exudation. There is usually considerable and violent scratching and rubbing from the itchy sensation, in which case the diseased surface is covered with some small clots of blood, the result of slight laceration of the skin. Treatment: The best remedies are the following: Aconite is indicated for febrile symptoms ; itching over the whole body, hot and burning skin ; small reddish colored vesicles, with itching. Mercurius, for an eruption at first vesicular, afterwards pustular, which is sometimes dry and sometimes moist, and which itches worst under the influence of warmth. Arsenicum for burning heat and itching of the skin; scales, which peel off; reddish-colored pustules, which break, and leave the appearance of small, shallow ulcers, with an ichorous discharge; painful blotches. Treated with Lycopodium Clavatum 200, 1M and 10M with Natrium sulphuricum 6X within 6 months and with added follow-up of 3 months with no relapse.
Mud fever: Mud fever, also known as scratches or pastern dermatitis, is a group of diseases of horses causing irritation and dermatitis in the lower limbs of horses also known as dew poisoning, grease, grease heel, or greasy heel. The chief variety of this class of skin disease occurs in horses, and is called “Grease.” It consists of inflammation of the skin at the back surface of the fetlock and heels, followed by the formation of pustules, on the bursting of which there is a copious watery discharge. This is an inherited disease—often “runs in the family.” Coarse-bred horses and those with much hair on their legs are more subject to it than well-bred horses, the difference being probably due to better grooming and attention in the one than in the other. Exposure to damp and cold, and dirt, are the exciting causes. One form of grease depends on a specific contagious liquid. A swelling appears in one or more legs, the hind more frequently than the fore; this swelling may extend as high as the knees, or hocks. The skin is hot, red, and painful, and the animal is more or less stiff and lame in his movements. In a short time, clusters of small vesicles arise on the skin at the heels containing a clear fluid, which, if it be specific, has the property, when inoculated on oxen and human beings, of exciting an eruption like that of vaccine matter. If the fluid be not specific, it has no such property. The vesicles subsequently become pustules, which contain water. When these break there is a more or less copious discharge of an offensive character. This discharge wets the hairs together, and dries into scabs. Still later, the skin cracks into deep fissures, from which a watery discharge issues. The leg above the heel is much swollen and painful, and the cracks may extend upwards. The diseased surface, in the most advanced stage, becomes covered with large unhealthy granulations, or “proud flesh,” which from their appearance are known as “grapes.” In the worst cases, what with the grapy condition of the leg, its considerable increase in size from swelling, the copious and offensive discharge, and the lameness present, the animal is in a sorry plight and not pleasant to look at. In some cases, “canker” of the foot is present as a consequence or complication, and in others of confirmed grease the parasites of the itch disease abound. Treatment: In the treatment of this disease, it is most important to keep the part perfectly clean by washing night and morning with lukewarm water and glycerin or petroleum soap, afterwards drying thoroughly with a soft cloth. If there be much offensive discharge and scabs, poultice with boiled carrots or turnips once or twice until the surface is clean. Mashes, carrots, and green food are useful as a change in the diet, and too much corn should be cut off. Arsenicum 10 drops three times a day, will, aided by the above measures, often arrest the disease in its early stage, or prevent it from going on to the ulcerated and grapy condition. Sulphurous acid Lotion should be used thrice daily as soon as the skin cracks, and especially if you suspect the presence of the itch parasite.
Fig.No.6: Greasy heal in Horse
Warts: One of the best local applications is strong tincture of Thuja, put on with a camel’s-hair pencil night and morning, and steadily persevered with. The best internal remedies are Thuja and Calcarea carhonica—10 drops for horses night and morning. Some require to be cut off.
Fig.No.7 Warts in a Horse
Mallenders and Sallenders(Cob Knee): can be a heartbreaking and tenacious skin issue. It presents as an accumulation of thickened, crusted scale and scabs on the front and hind legs of horses. Mallenders occurs behind the knees on the front leg while Sallenders occurs in front of the hock on the hind legs. A common problem for many horses is a dull coat and flaky dry skin, often caused by medical skin conditions such as parasites, scaly and crusty dermatitis, sweet itch, rain rot, and Onchocerciasis dermatitis. These conditions can lead to hair loss, flakiness, lumps and bumps, and extreme itching. Is the common name for a scurfy or scaly disease (psoriasis) situating on the skin at the back part of the bend of the knee. Sallenders is the same at the front of the bend of the hock. In treatment, after softening the scales with warm water and soap, apply Thuja night and morning, and give Arsenicum or Thuja in 10-drop doses at the same times.
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