Pedal or pastern dermatitis Flashcards
(14 cards)
1
Q
What part of the horse is affected?
A
- the caudal aspect of the pasterns
2
Q
Causes
A
- environmental conditions
- parasitic
- fungal/bacterial pathogens
- potentially complicated with breed predisposition
3
Q
Aetiology
A
- skin epidermis with resident flora -> disruption -> colonisation -> perpetuation
4
Q
Things that cause disruption of the skin epidermis
A
- moisture
- mites
- dirt
- UV light
- abrasion/wounds
5
Q
Things that perpetuate it
A
- flora dysbiosis
- systemic disease (vasculitis, PPID, CPL)
- self-trauma
6
Q
Primary bacterial pathogens
A
- Staph aureus
- Dermatophilus congolensis
7
Q
Secondary fungal pathogens
A
- Malassezia
- Trichophyton
8
Q
CPL
A
= chronic proliferative lymphoedema
9
Q
Breeds predisposed to / commonly get CPL
A
- Shires
- Clydesdales
- Belgian Draft
10
Q
Key points for CPL
A
- initial trigger of pastern dermatitis can end up with chronic oozing nodules with thickening of the skin
- thought to be related to anomalies of the collagen in the lymphatic vessels
- the chronic inflammation triggers an over subcut reaction that self-perpetuates and causes a dysfunction of the LNs
- thick legs that can’t be corrected
11
Q
What can long standing cases of pastern dermatitis lead to?
A
- persistent dermatoses
12
Q
Diagnosis
A
- take samples and clip hair (chronic lesion are less likely to yield diagnosis)
13
Q
Plan & management
A
- clean with warm water and neutral soap (hibi may be good depending on primary agent but don’t perpetuate dysbiosis in chronic cases)
- dry thoroughly with soft towel and keep in a dry environment
- avoid bandaging but sometimes necessary
- treat primary problem
- warn owner re long-term and environmental management mandatory
14
Q
When bandaging can be helpful in management
A
- if unable to provide dry/clean environment
- very exudative/infected/painful lesions to avoid self trauma
