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A biochemist friend of mine pointed out one time that these organisms 
don't do well in "acid conditions." She got to practice this when they 
brought a horse in from Montana to South Florida. The horse developed a 
sever case of rain rot in the tropical climate. She used a mixture of 
vinegar and oil to treat the condition. She would wash the horse and dry 
him - then apply the vinegar and oil. The vinegar would provide an acid 
environment that is not good for the microbes and the oil would provide 
some protection to keep out the moisture.

The horse was in at night and out during the day. It made him smell like 
a salad - but it sure helped him.

Truman

steelsidedown wrote:
> Dermatophilosis or Rain Scald
>
> Horses exposed to hot, humid, or rainy conditions are at risk for 
> development of rain scald. Rain scald (rain rot, dermatophilosis, or 
> streptothricosis) is a summertime skin disease caused by the organism 
> Dermatophilus congolensis. It is an organism with properties of both 
> fungi and bacteria that infects the hair follicles. Because there is 
> damage to the hair follicle and shaft, the hair will pull out easily 
> in small clumps leaving pink skin. The lesions also might become 
> scabbed over or contain pus. It is most common over the back, rump, 
> fetlock, and cannon bone.
>
> The organism is contagious and can be spread by tack, equipment, or 
> insects. Keeping horses clean and dry is effective for both prevention 
> and treatment. It is also important to disinfect all tack and 
> equipment to prevent spreading the organism. Antibacterial shampoos 
> and rinses containing agents like chlorhexidine are effective for both 
> equipment and animals. The use of ointments is not advised, as they 
> tend to hold moisture in, while the goal of treatment is to keep these 
> lesions dry.
>
> Article courtesy of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine.


--

“It doesn't matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn't matter how 
smart you are. If it doesn't agree with experiment, it's wrong” Richard 
Feynman, Nobel Laureate in Physics


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