Skin Diseases in Horses
May 2015
in “
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice
”
TLDR Horse skin diseases are complex to manage and often require a biopsy for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
The document from 2015 provides an overview of skin diseases in horses, including their diagnosis and treatment. It notes that skin lesions often require a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis and that equine sarcoids, the most common tumor in horses linked to BPV infection, are difficult to diagnose and treat. Eosinophilic granulomas, possibly related to allergies or trauma, and fungal granulomas, resulting from fungal infections, are also discussed. Diagnostic techniques range from skin scrapings to biopsies, with the latter being crucial for many conditions. Treatments vary, with surgical removal being effective for granulomas and a variety of less consistently successful treatments for sarcoids. Other conditions such as cutaneous lymphoma, mast cell tumors, squamous cell carcinomas, EGT, habronemiasis, atopy, alopecia areata, anagen/telogen effluvium, and dermatophytosis are mentioned, each with their respective diagnostic and treatment approaches. The document underscores the necessity of proper biopsy techniques and the complexity of managing equine skin diseases.
