Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my horse losing hair on his rump, has bumpy skin, and a wound?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Farm Animal | Horse | Male | neutered

Hi. My boy Cadbury seems to be loosing his hair, is all bumpy and when I brush it over (with a soft brush) skin flakes or dandruff just fall right off. He also has a large wound from a stallion (but that was weeks ago and we've been treating it.) but the wound itself has seemed to leak puss still and some blood. He's loosing the hair all over mostly on his rump. Please help.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on September 19th, 2017

Hi and thanks for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach this morning!

Although it is hard to say exactly what the issue is with Cadbury without examining him first, I can offer a possibility for the skin issue.

The picture of the hindquarters appears like a fungal infection called Dermatophilus congolensis.or better known as 'rain rot' which is typically seen over the hindquarters, back, and back of pasterns. It does worsen over time and the areas effected have dry crusts that are very easily removed while grooming. You may try brushing and removing the crusts then shampooing with iodine or chlorhexidine scrub. Even a shampoo with antibacterial and anti fungal properties may work. Let sit for 10 mins on him then rinse and do this every day for 7 days then every 3 days until healed. If it is still no better in a couple weeks, you may need to call you veterinarian for an antibiotic Rx.

Washing the other wound with chlorhexidine solution each day until healed may work as well unless you are not noticing any improvement in a week or so, then I would call you veterinarian.

I hope this helps and I hope Cadbury feels better soon!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My horse has bumps on its legs. What's causing them and how to treat?

I can’t be sure from the photo but this looks like a fungal or bacterial infection. Horses often get this from irritation and moisture. I recommend scrubbing the affected areas twice daily with iodine based shampoo, or another anti bacterial and fungal shampoo. Scrubbing the skin to remove the scales and debris will make it look more inflammed but will let the air get to the skin and speed healing. If this hasn’t cleared up in a week or two then please get a veterinary exam. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Diamond.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My horse has skin growths after grooming. What is it and how to treat?

This looks like a pretty serious case of rain rot. ( https://thehorse.com/122494/rain-rot-in-horses-diagnosis-treatment-and-prevention/ ) I suggest using this medicated shampoo. Lather, let sit on his skin for 15 minutes and then rinse well. Bathe him every 2-3 days. If after a week to 10 days you really do not see that much improvement he may need oral antibiotics that you would have to get from your vet. ( https://www.jefferspet.com/products/davis-ketohexidine-shampoo ) Wash all your saddle pads, brushes, blankets, etc to remove the bacteria. Do not ride him if the lesions are in the saddle/girth area until they are gone.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My horse has persistent rain rot or mud fever, what to do?

This may have started as rain rot but now it looks like there is a secondary infection. I recommend cleaning the area with iodine solution twice daily and keeping him out of tall wet grass or brush which can aggravate this. You can use fly leg protectors to keep flies off it and protect the areas. I do recommend a veterinary exam and treatment since he may need antibiotics or antifungal medication to get this resolved. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your horse.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My pet has skin wounds and hair loss. What's the best treatment?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Anget! Anget should see a Veterinarian due to the severity of his skin condition. Possible causes are sarcoptic mange (contagious mite), demodectic mange (non-contagious mite), skin infection from yeast or bacteria or ring worm. Demodec is easy to treat these days with flea and tick medications like Nexgard and Bravecto. The vet will need to do a skin scrape to diagnose if he has mites and ring worm is cultured and treated with antifungal pills and topical dips. A lot of times even when they have mites they have secondary skin infections that require antibiotics. I don't think there is a a solution that will cure him with out a proper diagnosis first. I hope this helps and I wish Anget a speedy recovery!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What causes a hairless, scab-like patch under my bunny's chin?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Donut. It appears that she may have some dermatitis (inflammation of her chin) and resulting infection. With chin dermatitis, oftentimes it is caused by drooling from some form of dental disease. It would probably be warranted for your veterinarian to take a good look at the teeth under anesthesia/sedation. Most likely regardless of the cause there is a bacterial infection occurring now. I would recommend culturing the lesion. If antibiotics are indicated, many pharmacies do flavoring which can really help with oral compliance. Also, I would try to keep the lesion dry with an astringent or manually just keeping the area dry with a clean cloth. Overall a good exam and history (any new changes in bedding, food area, detergents, caging), with some other diagnostics if possible including x-rays, blood work and oral exam will probably be helpful toward determining the underlying cause. This could be very easy to treat especially if due to misalignment of her teeth. Good luck with Donut.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My guinea pig has a bald spot on his rear. What does it mean?

Hello, Thanks for sending good pictures! I have a couple of suspicions about what is going on with Reeses' skin. Ringworm, which is a type of skin fungus, is very common in guinea pigs. Testing for this involves taking a hair sample from the area for something called a DTM culture test. This infection can spread very quickly over the entire pig's body and also spread to people. Mites are a type of skin parasite that can also affect guinea pigs and cause hair loss. They cause severe itchiness that can sometimes lead to seizures. This is generally tested for with looking at a scrape of the skin under the microscope. Both of these ailments generally require a course of topical and/or oral medications, along with regular cleaning of his environment during the treatment period to prevent re-infection. I would recommend taking Reeses into a veterinarian that's familiar with guinea pigs and having the area examined to determine the best course of diagnostics and treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I hope this is helpful!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a crusty oval spot on his skin near his tail. What is it?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the picture, I suspect that this is a pustule that ruptured and crusted over. This could be due to a localized skin infection or this could be a fungal infection such as ringworm. The vomiting is likely unrelated so I would not worry about that as long as he is improved. For the skin, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine the area so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. A topical and / or oral medication may be needed for treatment. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share