Equine Medical Guidelines – dermatological, wounds and feet disorders
Wounds
Ensure horses are vaccinated for tetanus.
NO SYNOVIAL STRUCTURES INVOLVED
No antimicrobials therapy indicated, even if contamination of the wound is present.
Systemic antimicrobials only when:
- Systemically unwell
- Potential synovial involvement (see below)
- Immunosuppressed patient
SYNOVIAL STRUCTURE INVOLVED
Lavage is almost always required for successful outcome. Systemic antimicrobials always indicated. Therapy should be based of culture and susceptibility testing. Empirical therapy with penicillin and gentamicin should be initiated pending culture results.
Foot abscess
Ensure horses are vaccinated for tetanus.
No antimicrobial therapy indicated.
Curette to establish drainage. If recurrent consider underlying disease. Radiographs should be taken to investigate for pedal osteitis & ACTH measured to investigate for equine Cushing’s disease (PPID).
Systemic antimicrobials only when:
- Immunosuppressed patient
- If severe cellulitis is present
Cellulitis
PRIMARY
No obvious underlying cause. Often more severe than secondary cases.
SECONDARY
An underlying cause can be identified (surgery, joint injection, wound, blunt trauma).
DIAGNOSTICS
Fine-needle aspirate should be collected for culture and susceptibility testing. Care if needed for cellulitis occurring over synovial structures.
TREATMENT
- IVRP: gentamicin 1/3 systemic dose
- Systemic antimicrobials: Penicillin & gentamicin (adjust dose if IVRP performed) or oxytetracycline.
- Topical therapy: Cold water hosing and pressure bandage.
- Analgesia especially if non-weight bearing as risk laminitis in contralateral limb.