Rain Rot—it's a sneaky little thing! When spring rains and warm weather move in, hidden equine skin infections often follow. Sometimes it's in the form of rain rot (rain scald), a contagious bacterial infection that causes rapid hair loss and easily spreads to other horses. This bacterial skin disease, also known as dermatophilus congolensis, affects horses of every breed, color, and age.
Horse with rain rot patches
Rain rot (rain scald) is a contagious bacterial infection that causes rapid hair loss and easily spreads to other horses.
© 2017 by EcoEquine New window.
Rain Rot is caused by a bacterial spore that penetrates a horse's skin through a wound or even a small scrape. When there is excess moisture on the skin, it peels away a horse's natural protective oil barrier. Through this entry point, these aggressive spores quickly find a home and trigger a horse's immune system to produce pustules on the skin. Affected areas will excrete a sticky substance which mats the hair, forming scabs. Under the scabs, the area will be moist, pink, and sore when touched.
The condition may begin as small tufts of hair loss leaving a scruffy, unkempt look to the coat, but these small lesions will quickly multiply and coalesce to create large patches of raw skin and scabs. If Rain Rot is not treated early, it can lead to a secondary infection.
There are different approaches to resolving Rain Rot. Many involve harsh, stinging chemicals and painful scab removal. Banixx® provides a simple, two-step effective remedy that will keep the horse happy and pain-free, while quickly eradicating the bacterial infection.
Step 1 - Shampoo the affected area with Banixx® Medicated Shampoo with Marine Collagen. Banixx Shampoo is unique because it does not contain abrasive detergents as most shampoos do. Instead it delivers an antimicrobial wallop with a combination of chlorhexidine and surfactants topped with the nourishing, moisturizing effect of marine collagen. Treatment protocols suggest allowing the shampoo to remain on the body for at least ten minutes for full effect. Then rinse area thoroughly, and dry with a clean towel.
Step 2 - Saturate the entire area two times a day with Banixx® Horse & Pet Care solution until the situation is resolved. If possible, use a rain sheet or bring the horse indoors during inclement weather. Within a few days, the scabs will naturally slough off and the infection will begin to clear. Shampooing does not need to be done daily.
Observations made by veterinarians are that Banixx®, unlike many harsh anti-infective treatments, does not cause additional trauma to tissue already compromised by drying out or stinging upon application. Though soothing on the skin and non-toxic, Banixx® creates an environment that is hostile to bacteria and enables the horse to harness its total energy into healing itself.
Once Rain Rot has infected a horse's skin, it can quickly spread to other animals as the bacterial spore will attach to blankets, saddle pads, and grooming tools. Sterilization of these items is recommended. With higher temperatures and humidity, the perfect environment for Rain Rot, in the forecast, one needs to get the upper hand on this bacterial infection immediately with good grooming practices, coupled with Banixx® Medicated Shampoo with Marine Collagen and Banixx® Horse & Pet Care Solution.
Banixx® was chosen by Horse Journal as Editor's Choice and Top Product of the Year. Banixx® fights infections associated with wounds, fungus, scratches (mud fever), rain rot/scald, ringworm, hot spots, dog/cat ear infections, abscesses, thrush, white line, bacterial and fungal infections, and secondary infections from bug bites and itches.
While treating a wide variety of infections, Banixx® is non-toxic, odorless, and colorless, does not sting, and is safe for use around the eyes. It contains no essential oils, making it safe to use on animals such as cats, birds, and reptiles. Banixx recently added Banixx® Medicated Shampoo with Marine Collagen to their stable of safe and effective antimicrobial products.
For more information on Banixx® products, please visit www.Banixx.com, or email Banixx® at info@Banixx.com, or call us at 877-944-0795. And be sure to join our lively Facebook (27K fans), Instagram and Pinterest pages.