here - Australian College of Veterinary Scientists

Authors recommendations:
1. Both Imaverol ® (0.2% enilconazole rinse) and Malaseb ® (2% chlorhexidine
2% miconazole, Dermcare Vet) appear effective at reducing the duration of
disease. I am happy to use either and recommend weekly to twice weekly whole
body treatments
2. I also recommend the use of Lamisil ® ointment (terbinafine) to individual
lesions where practical twice daily
3. I do not recommend the use of systemic antifungals in horses with
dermatophytosis
4. I find concurrent bacterial folliculitis uncommon with the exception of disease
involving the lower limbs. This generally responds to Trimidine powder 15 to
30mg/kg bid for 3 to 4 weeks.
5. I have no personal experience with dermatophytic pseudomycetoma but the
literature suggests these lesions are usually singular and surgery is curative.
Environmental decontamination:
1. Washable surfaces, tack, blankets grooming equipment should be treated with
0.2% enilconazole twice at 10 day intervals.
2. Tack, grooming equipment should not be shared with other horses.
3. Straw, bedding materials that are not treatable should be destroyed.
Prophylaxis
1. Recovered animals are unlikely to be infected again.
2. Attenuated live and inactivated T. equinum vaccines have been used in Europe
and the USA respectively. Vaccines were administered intramuscularly on two
occasions, 14 days apart. Both vaccines were effective at preventing or reducing
the severity of disease with both experimental and naturally occurring challenges.
Points for discussion.
1. IDEXX laboratories report zero equine dermatophyte cultures in the last 18
months. Is identifying the species important?
2. Topically applied porphyrins followed by UVA therapy has been shown to be
effective in human dermatophytosis. This may support the anecdotal reports that
equine dermatophytosis resolves more rapidly in sunny conditions.
3. Trichophyton spp antigens have been demonstrated to cause IgE mediated
reactions in humans with asthma and clinical severity of asthma has been
reduced with antifungal therapy. Any role for antifungal therapy in COPD in
horses?
ACVSC Proceedings Dermatology Chapter Science Week 2005 109