Treating Fungus on Legs?

Sonseeahray's_girl · 08-28-2008, 11:37 AM

My horse has what I believe to be a fungal infection on his leg. It covers the side of his front left pastern, and around to the back, about halfway. It looks like severely chapped skin, some hair loss, with yellowish oozing, and some scabbing. I have been using "Well-Horse" spray on it, but I find the stuff really doesn't dry very well, and attracts dirt, which make the scabs really hard to pick off.

Any suggestions regarding clearing it up? He's outside on pasture 24/7 right now.

Ike · 08-28-2008, 11:55 AM

What you describe sounds like what is called scratches.

If so, it's easy to treat:

1 part providone iodine
3 parts water
1 spray bottle

Apply 1 or 2 times/day until the skin clears up then for 5 more days.

I would suggest talking to your vet since I'm not one (ok, the legal disclaimer stops here..

)

There are a lot of medicated anti-fungal type shampoos that would work too but I prefer the iodine since I don't have to rinse it off.

Good luck.

**seerfarm** · 08-28-2008, 12:04 PM

Yep, sounds like scratches.

A gentle scrub using a mild anti-bacterial soap/ iodine mixture, making sure you remove as much debrie and scabs as possible, then rinse. Pat dry and apply a thin coat of anti-fungal cream such as Tinactin, Lotrimin etc. You can also add a top coat of diaper rash ointment which will help form a barrier from excessive moisture and irritation.

Twice daily cleansing will work best if possible, but atleast at night to help protect from the heavy dew.

Ike · 08-28-2008, 12:14 PM

Good suggestion from seerfarm too...

Just remember if you choose to try to clean (debrie) the area it can be very sensitive (read painfull) depending on the depth of the infection so be careful not to get kicked or stomped on. Same goes for anything you'd use to treat it.

My step-dad's appy gelding, the most laid back 26 year old horse you've ever met, sent hooves flying within a couple of inches past my step-dad's face when he was treating the same condition. All he did was spray him from a distance, thank goodness. He was using a 10% iodine solution he got from the vet vs the 25% I normally use.

Sonseeahray's_girl · 08-28-2008, 01:21 PM

Thanks guys for the advice. The area isn't swollen at all, and he really is very patient with me when I clean/treat it. He doesn't try to kick out at me or anything, even when I'm picking off the stubborn scabs.

Do I need a special horsey anti-fungal shampoo, or will something from the drug store work just as good?

**seerfarm** · 08-28-2008, 03:34 PM

Any mild anti-bacterial soap will work.

Carri · 08-28-2008, 04:46 PM

Opie has scratches, too, and we are using Dawn antibacterial dish soap on him, per the vet's instructions.

fishing_trex · 08-29-2008, 10:58 PM

Iodine really burns. My mare had a reaction to iodine and made matters worse. If you have MTG, you might try that. I have a neighbor who says it worked on her horse's scratches.

PeggySue · 08-30-2008, 07:27 AM

I have what I call a Muck pit my pond holds about six inches of water and two foot of MUD so I fight scratches ALOT .... what I do is gentle Iodine in the AM and MTG in the PM along with hosing and tryin to clean it up well before each treatment... DO NOT USE MTG IN THE SUNLIGHT!!

Sonseeahray's_girl · 09-02-2008, 08:16 AM

Hey guys, an update!

I've been using the MTG every night for the past 4 days, and it's working like a charm. I don't do any scrubbing, just apply the MTG and massage in...the scabs that are ready to come off just fall off, and there's no new scabs forming. So after 4 days, I've seen a 75% improvement, with the skin healing up nicely, no discomfort, and WAY less scabs. Plus the flies aren't hanging around (must be the wierd bacon smell

)... and we'll keep an eye on it!

Ike · 09-02-2008, 08:19 AM

Sounds great!!

It's always suprised me how fast it will clear up.

foreveryours · 09-02-2008, 06:24 PM

by MTG do you mean the one that most people on here have been saying to use for growing hair?
My TB mare has this going on on her legs also... do I need to clean it off before I put the MTG on?

PeggySue · 09-02-2008, 06:30 PM

I always brush off any dirt or yuck then apply ..please remember do not apply in the sunlight it will burn them if you do

Sonseeahray's_girl · 09-04-2008, 09:44 AM

Yes, it's called "Shapeley's MTG" and sells for around $4 for a sample sized bottle at TSC. Here's what I did:

Day 1: (In the evening) Soak in warm water to loosen any dirt/scabs that can come off without too much irritation. Dry as thoroughly as possible, let him/her stand in a clean, dry place to air out a minute. Then I shook the bottle really good, and applied directly and generously all over the affected area, massaging into the skin/scabs. Wash your hands good afterwards, 'cause it stinks!

Day 2, and every evening thereafter: Shake the bottle, apply directly to affected area, gently rubbing off any loosened scabs, and massaging the MTG into the affected area. Don't worry about washing/soaking or excessive picking off of the scabs...they'll come off when they're ready. I brought my horse into a short grass paddock for each night, just to prevent the heavy dew on the thicker pasture from pestering it.

If my horse is any indication (and I've read some similar testimonials) you should see improvement right from day 2, and a huge improvement by day 4. I found that no new scabs formed, and the skin was pretty healed on most areas by day 3.

If you try this, please post here! I'd love to hear if it works for you too.

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08-28-2008, 11:37 AM
Sonseeahray's_girl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,038	Treating Fungus on Legs? My horse has what I believe to be a fungal infection on his leg. It covers the side of his front left pastern, and around to the back, about halfway. It looks like severely chapped skin, some hair loss, with yellowish oozing, and some scabbing. I have been using "Well-Horse" spray on it, but I find the stuff really doesn't dry very well, and attracts dirt, which make the scabs really hard to pick off. Any suggestions regarding clearing it up? He's outside on pasture 24/7 right now. __________________ When I ride my horse, my heart is no longer in my chest ... it is between my knees.

08-28-2008, 11:55 AM
Ike Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Festus, Mo. Posts: 140	What you describe sounds like what is called scratches. If so, it's easy to treat: 1 part providone iodine 3 parts water 1 spray bottle Apply 1 or 2 times/day until the skin clears up then for 5 more days. I would suggest talking to your vet since I'm not one (ok, the legal disclaimer stops here.. ) There are a lot of medicated anti-fungal type shampoos that would work too but I prefer the iodine since I don't have to rinse it off. Good luck. __________________ Thanks, Ike momma's don't let your babies grow up to work in aerospace...

08-28-2008, 12:04 PM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portal, Ga Posts: 7,732	Yep, sounds like scratches. A gentle scrub using a mild anti-bacterial soap/ iodine mixture, making sure you remove as much debrie and scabs as possible, then rinse. Pat dry and apply a thin coat of anti-fungal cream such as Tinactin, Lotrimin etc. You can also add a top coat of diaper rash ointment which will help form a barrier from excessive moisture and irritation. Twice daily cleansing will work best if possible, but atleast at night to help protect from the heavy dew. __________________ "To know the road ahead, ask those coming back".

08-28-2008, 12:14 PM
Ike Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Festus, Mo. Posts: 140	Good suggestion from seerfarm too... Just remember if you choose to try to clean (debrie) the area it can be very sensitive (read painfull) depending on the depth of the infection so be careful not to get kicked or stomped on. Same goes for anything you'd use to treat it. My step-dad's appy gelding, the most laid back 26 year old horse you've ever met, sent hooves flying within a couple of inches past my step-dad's face when he was treating the same condition. All he did was spray him from a distance, thank goodness. He was using a 10% iodine solution he got from the vet vs the 25% I normally use. __________________ Thanks, Ike momma's don't let your babies grow up to work in aerospace...

08-28-2008, 01:21 PM
Sonseeahray's_girl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,038	Thanks guys for the advice. The area isn't swollen at all, and he really is very patient with me when I clean/treat it. He doesn't try to kick out at me or anything, even when I'm picking off the stubborn scabs. Do I need a special horsey anti-fungal shampoo, or will something from the drug store work just as good? __________________ When I ride my horse, my heart is no longer in my chest ... it is between my knees.

08-28-2008, 03:34 PM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portal, Ga Posts: 7,732	Any mild anti-bacterial soap will work. __________________ "To know the road ahead, ask those coming back".

08-28-2008, 04:46 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,984	Opie has scratches, too, and we are using Dawn antibacterial dish soap on him, per the vet's instructions. __________________

08-29-2008, 10:58 PM
fishing_trex Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,302	Iodine really burns. My mare had a reaction to iodine and made matters worse. If you have MTG, you might try that. I have a neighbor who says it worked on her horse's scratches. __________________ -- There are two ways to slide easily through life -- to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways will save you from thinking.

08-30-2008, 07:27 AM
PeggySue Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dennison, Illinois Posts: 525	I have what I call a Muck pit my pond holds about six inches of water and two foot of MUD so I fight scratches ALOT .... what I do is gentle Iodine in the AM and MTG in the PM along with hosing and tryin to clean it up well before each treatment... DO NOT USE MTG IN THE SUNLIGHT!!

09-02-2008, 08:16 AM
Sonseeahray's_girl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,038	Hey guys, an update! I've been using the MTG every night for the past 4 days, and it's working like a charm. I don't do any scrubbing, just apply the MTG and massage in...the scabs that are ready to come off just fall off, and there's no new scabs forming. So after 4 days, I've seen a 75% improvement, with the skin healing up nicely, no discomfort, and WAY less scabs. Plus the flies aren't hanging around (must be the wierd bacon smell )... and we'll keep an eye on it! __________________ When I ride my horse, my heart is no longer in my chest ... it is between my knees.

09-02-2008, 08:19 AM
Ike Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Festus, Mo. Posts: 140	Sounds great!! It's always suprised me how fast it will clear up. __________________ Thanks, Ike momma's don't let your babies grow up to work in aerospace...

09-02-2008, 06:24 PM
foreveryours Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 828	by MTG do you mean the one that most people on here have been saying to use for growing hair? My TB mare has this going on on her legs also... do I need to clean it off before I put the MTG on? __________________ My Website(pls sign the guestbook if you visit) Help my dragons hatch & grow!!CLICK HERE

09-02-2008, 06:30 PM
PeggySue Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dennison, Illinois Posts: 525	I always brush off any dirt or yuck then apply ..please remember do not apply in the sunlight it will burn them if you do

09-04-2008, 09:44 AM
Sonseeahray's_girl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,038	Yes, it's called "Shapeley's MTG" and sells for around $4 for a sample sized bottle at TSC. Here's what I did: Day 1: (In the evening) Soak in warm water to loosen any dirt/scabs that can come off without too much irritation. Dry as thoroughly as possible, let him/her stand in a clean, dry place to air out a minute. Then I shook the bottle really good, and applied directly and generously all over the affected area, massaging into the skin/scabs. Wash your hands good afterwards, 'cause it stinks! Day 2, and every evening thereafter: Shake the bottle, apply directly to affected area, gently rubbing off any loosened scabs, and massaging the MTG into the affected area. Don't worry about washing/soaking or excessive picking off of the scabs...they'll come off when they're ready. I brought my horse into a short grass paddock for each night, just to prevent the heavy dew on the thicker pasture from pestering it. If my horse is any indication (and I've read some similar testimonials) you should see improvement right from day 2, and a huge improvement by day 4. I found that no new scabs formed, and the skin was pretty healed on most areas by day 3. If you try this, please post here! I'd love to hear if it works for you too. __________________ When I ride my horse, my heart is no longer in my chest ... it is between my knees.