here - Australian College of Veterinary Scientists

Treatment Regime:
This varies with a number of factors, some of which will be more important than
others in different individuals:
1. Site
88
1. Site
2. Affect on the horse
3. Affect to the owner (is it a show horse?)
4. Response (or lack of) to previous therapy
5. Extent (area) and severity (depth) of the lesions
6. Owners ability to treat / manage
7. Environmental conditions
8. Monies available for therapy
I associate various sites with various possible underlying causes and as such, the
treatment regime will include a treatment modality aimed at the presumed, or
diagnosed underlying cause, as well as addressing the folliculitis.
Tack areas: such as underneath bridle cheek straps, girths, saddles, cruppers. These
areas have a naturally thicker skin than many other areas and so frequently the
folliculitis +/- associated furunculosis will require a longer course of systemic
antibiotics. I do not expect these infections to heal well without systemic antibiotics
and also without rest from the presence of the overlying tack. Completely spelling a
horse for the 3 to 4 weeks the folliculitis may require to resolve can be catastrophic
from the point of view of a working horse (owner), however I expect that any
external trauma to these areas during that time will extend the recovery period.
Lambskin pads, utilising different tack, frequent surface washes may all help to
minimise this trauma IF the horse must be worked.
Pastern: frequently associated with environmental maceration, which needs to be
corrected before one can honestly expect a recovery. However there are the other
implicated factors such as UV-light and a contact hypersensitivity (whether that is
mediated through a UV-sensitisation is still discussed). The lower leg swelling
associated with a lymphadenopathy in “Draught horses” can also be associated
initially with a pastern folliculitis.
These are often deep, fissured and associated with a furunculosis which requires
both topical and systemic therapy for the bacterial component.
Generalised: may be associated with underlying stress or allergy factors, which will
ned to be addressed concurrently. Due to the large body area affected, these will
also require a systemic course, but typically respond fast.
ACVSC Proceedings Dermatology Chapter Science Week 2005