If I think my horse has a skin disease should I treat it myself or take her to the vet?

Question

I recentally posted a question and got various answers on how to treat her, but I am not 100% sure that I should treat her myself, because I am not a Vet, and I don't want to do somrthing that will harm her more, but i also don't want to have to make a trip to the vet if I dont have to ... suggestions please!

Thank You

Answer 1

Take it to the vet!!!!!! Only the vet will know exactly what to do. If you get various answers, then that means either there are many ways to treat it or the people dont know what they are talking about.

Answer 2

take her to the vet he will know what to do he never know you could do something wrong and she could get worse

Answer 3

I would defintly take it to the vet just to make sure it is skin disease and then they can treat it the right way. (not saying you don't no how to)

Answer 4

Call your vets office and describe the problem and condition to them.  They should be more than willing to tell you what they think it is without a vet visit.  They will also tell you the best way to treat what they think it is.  

If they do nothing more than tell you to bring her in, at least you tried to save the money from the haul and in many cases the vet is also interested in saving time and your money as well.

Answer 5

take her to the vet you will have a better answer there!

Answer 6

Pretty much a no brainer....at least, write down the symptoms, maybe even take a digital pic and email it with a description, then call your vet..that is really trying to take advantage of your vet though...and they're only going to be "used" so long...before you treat your horse, you should either get some advice from your vet and bite the bullet and take your horse to see the vet...if he is fairly close, taking your horse in will be less expensive, as you won't have to pay for his trip out.

Answer 7

VET, you never no how serious it is.

Answer 8

Take her to the vet. That is always the wise thing to do because your horse's veternarian knows best.

Answer 9

you needed to take her to a vet ASAP    she could really have a problem

Answer 10

If you're not sure how to treat the horse then CALL A VET!

You can't offer suggestions of what the problem with your horse's skin if you don't offer up pictures or have a good description of what's going on.

Answer 11

Take her to the vet. That is always the wise thing to do because your horse's veternarian knows whats best!! I did the same

Answer 12

We had the vet out to our barn for a aged horse with skin problems.  There were a number of probable diagnoses but his was allergies.   The vet gave him the equivalent of benedryl (antihistimine) for us to give him for a month to see if he clears up.

He indicated there was a $300 blood test they could do to see what he was allergic to.  Then they could sell us the allergy shots that would cure him.  An option that was not available to the horses owner.

He recommended the best things we could do for him that wouldn't hurt but might help was wiping him down with listerine, anticeptic linament or MTG.  We are using dollar store listerine and it is helping in conjunction with the antihistimine.

His theory on skin conditions is they can't hurt but he may have a way to accelerate the healing and keep them more comfortable.  It is always good to rule out something more serious but it is up for you to decide.

Answer 13

You know, this is one of those things where if you don't have a lot of experience AND a good, strong relationship with a GOOD equine vet, you probably need to call them out.

For skin issues, I usually know what I'm looking at and can pick up the appropriate treatment and take appropriate preventative measures.  Unsure?  I can call the doc and say, "George is loosing hair in patches, looks to me like ringworm...can I pick up some Malaseb?"

But if you don't know for sure, call the vet.

Answer 14

I think it's common sense.  You don't have a diagnosis, so you don't know what the appropriate treatment is.  Trial and error is common practice in the horse world, and sometimes it works out, but sometimes it does more harm than good.  If you care about your horse, give her the same consideration you would give to the people you care about.

Answer 15

Well it depends on what it is.. Is it just rain rot? I would make an iodine/water solution or a medicated soap and scrub it. If it doesn't get better then go to the vet.. but once again it depends on what it is. WHat does it look like? If it has open sores then for sure vet.. or if it hurts.. but if its just scaley, dry, and losing hair then try what I said first.