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  Discussion on Old scars split open
Author Message
Member:
cpacer

Posted on Monday, Jan 28, 2008 - 7:58 am:

DrO, have you ever heard of scars splitting open after a horse stocks up?

My friend's horse that she's only had for a short time has some old scars around his lower legs. He stocked up the other day and the scars got all fleshy wrongs-side-out-like.

I understand if you can't answer since it's not my horse, but my friend is not a computer user so just thought I throw the question out there.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 - 8:31 am:

Yes it happens CP, scar tissue is not as strong as skin and remarkable prolonged swelling can result in necrosis and splitting around scars.
DrO
Member:
cpacer

Posted on Sunday, Mar 2, 2008 - 10:07 am:

Hi DrO, I need to ask you about this horse again. As it turns the scars are actually reoccuring ruptures. They start out as little spots of missing hair and in one day go to being a gaping hole that you can fit your finger into, then turn into hamburger meat. He also got a cut on his head that did this same thing. The cuts ooze a syrupy liquid that is reminiscent of lymph fluid and bleed a lot once scabbed.

Antibiotics helped the last time (not completely though), and it seems to be a chronic problem so we're wondering if there's any way to prevent it from coming back?

At this point euthanasia is being considered, but he is such a kind, sweet, and smart horse that would really be horrible to do.

Have you heard of anything like this and is there a fix?
Member:
canter

Posted on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 - 7:16 am:

cp,
Do I understand correctly that the scars rupture only when the horse stocks up? If so, can the legs be wrapped to prevent the stocking up and thus, hopefully prevent the wounds (assuming they heal up from this latest case). Also, would something like Corona cream keep the skin soft & pliant enough to prevent it from splitting?

Just throwing out some ideas as it seems it would be a shame to euthanize a nice and otherwise healthy horse if the problem could be prevented.
Member:
cpacer

Posted on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 - 9:03 am:

no, he gets random cuts and whenever he does they turn huge.

I agree, it would be a shame. I'm hoping to help figure out if it's something that can be cured.
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 - 9:02 pm:

Hello,

Any chance you could post some pictures? Has the horse been examined by a vet? What did the vet find/recommend? I am missing something about the severity of the condition if euthanasia is an option.

Good luck. Sounds like a weird one.

- Elizabeth
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 - 6:43 am:

cp, your description of the head wound could fit normal wound healing so I don't know...much turns on the exact meaning of your adjectives. There are some congenital diseases that sound a bit like you describe, for more see: Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Epitheliogenesis Imperfecta (EI) & Hyperelastosis Cutis.

Other than good wound care I cannot think of anything that is treatable here and would refer your friend to a consult with a veterinary dermatologist if possible.
DrO
Member:
cpacer

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 - 3:28 pm:

alright, thanks. I'll do more research and see if I can get some pictures. A vet actually seeing him is part of the challenge.
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