The Skin

Question 1

Elements of skin unique to horse?

Answer 1

Chestnut, ergot, hooves

Question 2

What are the chestnut and ergot?

Answer 2

Chestnut = remnant of first digit
Ergot = horny tissue on palmar/plantar aspect of fetlocks, remnant of 5h digit

Question 3

Primary functions of integument?

Answer 3

Protection from trauma
Temperature regulation
Thermoregulation (insulation, sweat)
Shedding/replacement

Question 4

What examinations might be done during a skin exam?

Answer 4

Physical exam
Scraping
Culture
Biospy
Intradermal skin testing

Question 5

Bacterial infections occuring in wet conditions, affects horses back/top of hindquarters…

Answer 5

Rain rot

Question 6

What is the agent of rain rot?

Answer 6

Dermatophilus congolensis

Question 7

How do we diagnose rain rot?

Answer 7

Thick crust, matted hair
Culture

Question 8

How do we treat rain rot

Answer 8

Dry it
Grooming
Antiseptic shampoo
Antiseptic spray
Antimicrobials (penicillin)

Question 9

Seriousness/complications of rain rot?

Answer 9

Will resolve without complications
No complications

Question 10

Raised, circular swellings (wheals) that progress to hair loss and the development of crusts and scales…

Answer 10

Ringworm

Question 11

There are many species of ringworm, and the cow specific one is not a threat to horses or humans (T/F)

Answer 11

False; horses/humans can get the cow form

Question 12

Which horses will most likely have ringworm

Answer 12

Young, debilitated, immunocompromised (do not recover as quick)

Question 13

How is ringworm diagnosed?

Answer 13

Appearance, culture

Question 14

How is ringworm treated?

Answer 14

Resolve on own
Antifungal shampoo
Disinfect environment

Question 15

How serious / complications of ringworm

Answer 15

Resolve without difficulty
It can spread
Zoonotic!

Question 16

Lesions on palmar plantar pastern area that range from crusts and ulcerations of the skin to extreme inflammation with reddening/swelling…

Answer 16

Pastern Dermatitis (Mud Fever, Scratches, Grease heel)

Question 17

Etiology of pastern dermatitis?

Answer 17

Bacteria, fungi, parasites
Wetness
White limbs?

Question 18

How do we diagnose pastern dermatitis

Answer 18

Clinical appearance
Scrapings, culture, biopsy

Question 19

How do we treat pastern dermatitis

Answer 19

Antimicrobial scrubs/ointments
Anti-inflammatories
Clip hair
Keep dry

Question 20

Serious/complications of pastern dermatitis?

Answer 20

Painful/swollen, difficult to treat, may recur
Comp = swollen limbs

Question 21

Viral condition causing gray or pink growths on muzzle, nose, mouth of young horse

Answer 21

Warts

Question 22

Etiologic agent of warts?

Answer 22

Papillomavirus

Question 23

Diagnosis, treatment, complications of warts?

Answer 23

Diagnose = appearance
Treat = self-limiting (3-4 months), crush to stimulate immune response
No complications

Question 24

Small, raised white spots inside ear that may coalesce

Answer 24

Aural plaques

Question 25

Diagnosis, treatment of aural plaques

Answer 25

Appearance and location No treatment/complications

Question 26

Intensely itchy horse that scratches until hair loss, scaling and crusting. Mane, tail and belly commonly affected..

Answer 26

Insect hypersensitivity (allergy)

Question 27

How do we diagnose insect hypersensitivity

Answer 27

Seasonal (spring/summer), allergy testing

Question 28

How do we treat insect hypersenstivity

Answer 28

Fly control Avoid turn out at dusk/dawn Remove standing water SAIDs Antibiotic ointment Allergy shot (hyposensitization)

Question 29

Serious/complications of insect hypersensitivity

Answer 29

Difficult, frustrating Secondary bacterial infections, trauma

Question 30

Skin tumour common in gray horses/arabians

Answer 30

Melanoma

Question 31

What is melanoma

Answer 31

Skin tumour that arises from dark skin pigment cells called melanocytes

Question 32

How do we diagnose melanomas

Answer 32

Appearance Cytology, biopsy

Question 33

How do we treat melanomas

Answer 33

Unnecessary is small, slow-growing, non-sensitive area Surgery Cryosurgery Topical cauterizing agent Vaccine into tumour

Question 34

How serious are melanomas

Answer 34

Small not a concern If they grow/become ulcerated can be significant

Question 35

Complications of melanomas

Answer 35

75% occur in skin, but can metastasize and lead to organ failure/death

Question 36

one of the most common skin tumours seen in horses

Answer 36

Sarcoid

Question 37

Where do most sarcoid tumours occur

Answer 37

Head/ears

Question 38

Agent of sarcoid?

Answer 38

Bovine papilloma virus

Question 39

What type of horse is likely to have sarcoid

Answer 39

Under age of 7 Common in: donkeys, mules, appys, arabians, QH

Question 40

Four forms of sarcoid:

Answer 40

Occult (flat) Verrucous (warty) Fibroblastic Mixed verrucous-fibroblastic

Question 41

What type of sarcoid will grow rapidly and ulcerate/bleed

Answer 41

Fibroblastic

Question 42

How is sarcoid diagnosed? Downside of one of the methods?

Answer 42

Appearance Biopsy (stimulate the tumour to transform into more aggressive fibroblastic type)

Question 43

How are occult and verrucous sarcoids treated

Answer 43

May not be recommended if stable/slow growing (might transform into fibroblastic)

Question 44

Treatment for fibroblastic sarcoids?

Answer 44

Frustrating Surgery common Cauterizing agents INJECT WITH IMMUNOCIDIN (immune system modulator)

Question 45

How serious is sarcoids? Complications?

Answer 45

Don't metastasize but can be locally agressive & uncomfortable (girth) Complications with removal of large, agressive tumours

Question 46

One of the most common reasons to examine the skin is...

Answer 46

trauma

Question 47

How is trauma diagnosed?

Answer 47

History Exam Bone involved = radiograph

Question 48

How is trauma treated

Answer 48

Depends Cleaning, flushing, suturing (NOT punctures) NSAIDs Antimicrobials Bandages, splints/casts

Question 49

How serious is trauma

Answer 49

Mild to life threatening

Question 50

Three main complications of trauma...

Answer 50

1. Infection (won't heal, infected joint/tendon sheath = life threatening) 2. Tissue death (delayed treatment of large wound, blood supply compromised = dead skin/tissue) 3. Proud flesh (excessive granulation tissue prevents skin from closing over)

Question 51

Technical term for itchy

Answer 51

Pruritic