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EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / APRIL 2018


Air conditioning fans directed to the stall also helped with the pruritus. In the evening, she was given access to pasture and this seemed to improve her mental attitude. On Day 41, her skin was dry and tight and during the


night it split in several places, including the back of her carpi, axillary areas and groin (Fig 4). Since there was nothing she could rub against that would cause the splits, it was considered likely that this condition was due to dryness and lack of skin compliance. Thereafter, she was lathered in a paraffin-based emollient (Sorbolene)16 and other emollients 2–3 times daily. This created a setback of several months in full epithelisation of the entire body. Skin grafts were contemplated for her legs, but the tissue


was so friable and occasionally continued to spontaneously split, precluding the chance of successful grafting. Over the next 2 months, she continued to grow fine, thin skin. Exuberant granulation tissue on the back of her carpi was periodically removed. Over the next year, there were still areas without pigment and significant areas without hair, particularly on the legs. The swelling in her lower limbs abated and she moves freely. The perineal, mammary and inner thigh regions,


considered to be initially deep grade 2 burns, were very slow to heal. Fortunately, no fungi or yeast were grown on cultures. Several different types of products, including zinc oxide diaper rash creams were tried to no avail. Finally, at 4 months, all washing and treatment of the area was discontinued and, over the next few weeks, the area began to heal (Fig 2).


At this time, the only product used on her legs and body


was a combination of sorbolene and SSD cream; the bandage changes were extended to every 2–3 days. The mare was kept in an air-conditioned environment, which appeared to be useful for comfort and decreasing reactions to the dressings. The mare’s new skin was pink, but over time it regained some of the normal pigment of a grey horse and then hair regrew (Fig 4). At about 4 months, a body compression suit was used


(Hydez)17 so she could be outside during the day (Fig 3). These suits are made to order and fitted to each horse. On Day 134, she was discharged but came back twice weekly for bandage changes. Her coronary bands did not separate as much as in some


of the other affected horses, but as they grew out, the line of damage was evident. At 6 months, she became lame, but no rotation was noted on radiographs (Fig 5). She was shod with pads on the front feet, resulting in reduced lameness. During her time at the clinic, it was obvious from the


extent of scarring and thickening of the extremities that she would not be ridden again in the immediate future and she was bred through artificial insemination. In February 2017, she foaled a healthy colt. Because of the severe damage in her perineal and inguinal area, her ability to produce milk was a concern, but she made sufficient milk for the foal’s needs. The legs have completely healed; however, large areas of skin without hair continued and will probably remain. She is sound, but slightly disfigured (Fig 1).


Case 2 a) b)


An 8-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred mare was examined on site 3–4 h after the same fire as in Case 1. She had run


through a fence with other horses during the fire to avoid the flames. The mare appeared to be in moderate to severe pain and was stomping, avoiding skin contact, exhibiting muscle tremors and appearing anxious. She had burns to her face, legs and ventral abdomen and coronary band effusion. Her burns were classified as grade 2 with some grade 3 on her hock, forearm and fetlock. She had bilateral corneal ulcers, as did the other six horses that were with, or near, her on this property. She was treated with flunixin, SSD cream and eye ointments like the previous horse and at the same dose rates (Fig 6). She was transported to the clinic that evening, where


c) d)


assessment of her condition revealed lacerations on the right proximal carpus, left dorsal hock and fetlock on her right hind leg.


She was administered trimethoprim/sulfadimidine


immediately as per Case 1 and maintained on antibiotics because of puncture wounds from attempting to escape the


Fig 4: Case 1: a) Progression showing the return of pigment and then hair on the thigh at 1 month; b) 18 months following the fire with incomplete return of pigment and hair; c) spontaneous split on the palmar right carpus; d) 18 months later.


© 2017 EVJ Ltd


Fig 5: Case 1: Right fore hoof at 6 months showing regrowth.


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