Greasy Heel or Grapes

Equitch to the Rescue Again!

This horse is a 30 month old quarterhorse gelding. He had already been attended by a vet as his legs had swollen up to his knees and he needed urgent anti-inflammatories and was also administered a course of antibiotics.

Unfortunately, with vet treatment whilst the swelling and infection were contained, the greasy heel didn’t improve at all and the boy became extremely lame. The vet was again unable to offer any other solutions, apart from picking off the scabs & cortisone to help try to resolve the problem.

BEFORE TREATMENT PHOTOS

Below: Shows problem extending up above the fetlock joint.

Below: Shows scabs & cracking restricted to the fetlock “cup”.

This boy suffered quite an extensive case of greasy heel (grapes) characterized by the hard wart like scabs evident even above the fetlock joint as evident in photos 1 & 2. Fungal bacteria lies behind the scabs which is started by and kept alive by heat and moisture.

DURING TREATMENT AT DAY 7

Below: Whilst looking a bit rough and dirty the scabs are starting to lift and the deep cracks opening out as healing progresses.

Below: Alot of the large scabs have fallen off and in clear patches new fine hair is evident.

The condition is basically rotting of the skin and the scabs lie deep in the epidermis. On no account should scabs be picked or scrubbed off which leads to further pain, suffering for the animal and possible active resistance leading to dangerous situations for the handler.

Resistance also makes thorough and correct treatment of the part extremely difficult. Bleeding from picked scabs could lead to leg and blood infections. Introducing water only fires up the fungal bacteria which could lead to extreme swelling and the need for anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic treatment.

DURING TREATMENT AT DAY 18 AFTER A GOOD WASH & THOROUGH DRYING

Below:  A good wash at the right stage of treatment helps remove all the rubbish and shows and great recovery

Below:  The deep cracks have disappeared, plenty of new hair regrowth and the boy is able to resume comfortable normal life

Washing the affected parts should only take place once the scabs have clearly lifted off the skin and have grown out significantly with the new hair. Whilst in normal cases this may be in the realm of 7 to 10 days, severe cases such as this example need to be treated without washing for up to 3 weeks.

Treating thoroughly with EQUITCH Spray/Wipe-On by sponge or applying with a clean paint brush, paying particular attention to saturating between the scabs with EQUITCH hastens the scab loosening process.

When the part is free of scabs then EQUITCH Salve is brilliant to protect from further problems.

Animal Itch & Skin Remedies

ABN 17 390 450 282

206 Wharf Road JOHNS RIVER NSW AUSTRALIA 2443
Phone: 02-6556 5387 Fax: Pre-arrange for service at phone number

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