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"Scratches"

JimHess
Silver Member

Oct 15, 2005, 10:13 PM

Post #1 of 12 (1903 views)
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"Scratches"	Can't Post

I've been dealing with what's genericly called scratches, or sores on my horse's lower legs for ten years now. Seems to be most common to white legs. I've tried lots of notions and potions to no avail, down to just washing with soap and water daily and applying a little antiseptic ointment, just to keep them in check. Anybody have any miracle cures?

-Jim

HammerFour
New Member

Oct 17, 2005, 9:57 AM

Post #2 of 12 (1880 views)
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Re: [JimHess] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Do you think it is caused by a skin bacteria or maybe an insect bite?

I am sure you tried it, but I know the iodine shampoo is good for the bacteria
that causes 'rain rot'.

2 Quarterhorses

CJuneau
Bronze Member

Oct 17, 2005, 11:03 AM

Post #3 of 12 (1874 views)
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Re: [JimHess] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi there!
I was successful using a product called Derma Gel for scratches. You have to get it from a vet, and it costs about $30 for the tube..but more is less so it will last a long time. It's great for dry skin, cuts, bee stings and also impedes formation of scar tissue on serious wounds.(It was originally formulated for humans with burn injuries.) Hope this helps.

Cowboydoc
Member / Moderator

Oct 17, 2005, 3:24 PM

Post #4 of 12 (1853 views)
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Re: [JimHess] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

There is a spray that's called Gentacin. It's only from a vet but it works very well.

Five Star
New Member

Oct 18, 2005, 8:59 PM

Post #5 of 12 (1811 views)
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Re: [JimHess] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Since we have clydesdales, which has all that hair, we get scratches ever once in a while. We will buy Vagisil and apply it to the sore. This seams to dry them up. If you buy a lot of it the person at the check out counter might look at you funny. Smile

JimHess
Silver Member

Oct 19, 2005, 7:36 PM

Post #6 of 12 (1781 views)
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Re: [Five Star] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you, everyone, for the suggestions for scratches remedies. I now have more weapons in my arsenal for the long-suffering patient. If the Vagisil doesn't work I'll give it to my friend with a mare!

-Jim

justmartha
Member

Oct 24, 2005, 4:38 PM

Post #7 of 12 (1741 views)
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Re: [Cowboydoc] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Is this gentacin, or Gentamicin?

This has become a topic of interest to me also, as I seem to be dealing with a tough case of the creeping crud on one of my horses also. I'm currently using a spray mixed up by my vet with Gentamicin, DMSO, and something else I cannot remember in it. It's working okay, but not super speedy. I also had good results on a less stubborn case with a product called Malotic from Vedco, also a gentamicin based product, and available from your vet for several $$.

In every case of scratches or skin crud I've ever had to deal with, there was always some white hair/pink skin that was the starting point and major point of infection. Too bad I like chrome on a horse.

Martha in NM
http://www.valverdemorgans.com

JimHess
Silver Member

Oct 25, 2005, 12:02 AM

Post #8 of 12 (1726 views)
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Re: [justmartha] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Martha, is the DMSO part of your spray coctail used for carying it in farther? Did you think of what the other ingredient was? I, too, like the white socks, but I've been paying a high price for them in labor. My wife is looking for a new horse, and one item on the "wish list" is "no white legs". Don't know what the deal is with the pink skin, but it sure seems to be more trouble.

-Jim

justmartha
Member

Oct 25, 2005, 10:37 AM

Post #9 of 12 (1719 views)
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Re: [JimHess] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think so. First the vet had me using a chinese herbal salve that smelled really good (a bit like curry) but it didn't seem to be all that effective for our particular case, although he said it'd worked great on several other skin things. I think the other was glycerin or mineral oil or something like.

Martha in NM
http://www.valverdemorgans.com

lkvaughan
Member

Oct 25, 2005, 5:16 PM

Post #10 of 12 (1713 views)
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Re: [justmartha] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

we've also had success with a product called silvadine (sp?- mabey silvadene) its an anti-infective cream with silver as an active ingredient... i dont know where you can get it comercially (my mom works for the drug company that makes it so we get testing samples) but it is used for burn patients. I believe that i have seen some other ointments at wal-mart that have silver in it....

if you get it under controll a liberal application of vaseline (cream or jelly) will help it from coming back

spotless
Member

Nov 15, 2005, 11:15 PM

Post #11 of 12 (1661 views)
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Re: [JimHess] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's not a miracle cure, but it did work for my horse. My Morab gets scratches on her rear heels. She does have socks on her rear legs. I clip the hair on her heels down as close as I can and try to scrub her feet once a week with an iodine based shampoo and a rubber mit. From what I have learned, scratches is a condition that horses get when they are kept in damp conditions. I have noticed considerable improvement when she is kept dry. Hope this helps.

JimHess
Silver Member

Nov 16, 2005, 1:13 AM

Post #12 of 12 (1657 views)
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Re: [spotless] "Scratches" [In reply to]	Can't Post

We're currently trying a mixture containing oidine. We've never been able to make them go away, just keep them in check. You're right about clipping the hair. It seems to help, and it makes it easier to "doctor" them.

-Jim

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