Scratches

Question
My mare has a gray crusty scab like growth on the backside of her foot and seems to be very sensivtive if you try to remove it. It is only on her back foot and it is her only white foot. Do you feel this could be what is called "scratches" or something else? Also, do you have a recommended treatment? Thanks, Rhonda

Answer
Hey Rhonda.
Its kinda hard to know what this is necessarily. It being a white foot is not surprising. The skin in the area of the white hair is most sensitive. This may very well be scratches. We most often see this to some degree in more than just one foot, but if only this foot is white, that may make sense too. In the end, managment of this often chronic problem is focused on keeping the area clean and dry. It is VERY tempting to put alot of ointments, salves and other things on it. If you do, you must put it on VERY sparingly as the application of these things too heavily can just perpetuate the problem. Occasionally, thse things can become infected with bacteria. In this instance, the area becomes very sore and hot to the touch. A course of antibiotics is necessary in this instance. Penicillin or oral SMZ-TMP is usually effective. For control of this condition or for MILD flare-ups, which you will probably see intermittently with this white foot, I recommend the following ointment recipe:

Mix 1/2 jar of Furcin antibiotic ointment with 1/2 jar (of equal size) of Desitin (yes,the baby diaper rash ointment with cod liver oil.). Then ask your vet for a few cc's (3 to 5cc) of DepoMedrol left over from his/her past joint injections and shoot this into the single jar of Desitin/Furcin and mix it VERY well. Apply this VERY sparingly to the pastern where it is affected and consider a light cotton bandage over the area overnight. Wash it off the next morning and reapply the same ointment in the same way when the horse is put in for the night. If on pasture, AVOID any and all moisture on this limb.

I hope this helps some. Write me back and let me know how you make out. I know this condition can be a real pain in the ass, but you WILL prevail with strict adherence to what I recommend if "scratches" is the problem. Otherwise, consider the antibiotics as well or in addition to my suggestions with the ointment.