The mallenders – an excematous dermatitis
Mauro is an acute eczematous dermatitis that very quickly progresses to the chronic stage. It usually begins in the crook of the fetlock. Rises not infrequently up to the tubular bone resp. up to the forefoot joint or ankle joint on.
The skin inflammation is practically always preceded by a damage of the uppermost skin layer, caused by humidity, friction by plants, irritation by substances in riding hall and bedding or also by parasites. Initially, there is usually redness of the skin in the fetlock bend.
The condition is associated with constant itching. Through further irritation of the skin surface, through constant rubbing and pounding, and through triggers such as wetness, urine and dirt, the stage of redness (dermatitis erythematosa) passes into more advanced stages. The skin is irritated. Slightly reddened. Second stage (dermatitis madidans): The skin is thickened and warm, the horse reacts slightly sensitive.
Third stage (dermatitis crustosa): The skin is destroyed on the surface, wound secretions and crusts develop.
Fourth stage (dermatitis squamosa): Nodules and vesicles are present in the skin, and touch is painful for the horse.
Fifth stage (dermatitis verrucosa): The mallow is chronic and causes a change in the growth of the skin, ulcers develop. Occurs mostly in cold-blooded horses, genetically determined. Is also called wart mallow
Causes of mallenders
Basically it is important: Mallenders are a symptom and not a diagnosis!
Mildew is usually caused by special conditions: swampy pastures and runs, abrasion or irritation (allergy) by plants, UV radiation, stress, parasites, incorrect or inadequate feeding, metabolic problems or too little care are examples of this.
The symptomatology of the Mauke arises mostly from a combination of the different factors. Horses with white fetlocks or horses with a very strong kotenbehang (Tinker, Friesen) are clearly more susceptible to Mauke. In principle, it is very important to always think of parasites in the case of mallenders. Chorioptes mites, but also autumn grass mites or red bird mites (bird nests or chickens in the barn) can cause severe itching and skin irritation. Bacterial infections or fungal infections can also trigger or aggravate mallenders, especially when the skin is already primarily damaged.
Therapy of the Mau
It is important to primarily fight the cause of the mallenders. A clean and dry environment should be created, extremely dense pasterns should be cut off to allow for therapy and to allow air to come in.
Comes a Allergy If the patient needs to be protected from plants or UV radiation, or if protection against autumn grass mites, flies and horseflies is required, special flyboots are a possible solution.
Could at most Mites are present, these are to be fought with special washing solutions or sprays of the veterinary surgeon
If the horse suffers from a malleus in the Stage 1 or 2 usually help disinfecting ointments with zinc oxide and other caring substances, such as z.B. the skin repair of the company Effol very well, is strong itching present, must evtl. for a short time a cortisone-containing ointment from the veterinarian can be used.
At Stage 3 and 4 it is necessary to use special ointments or washing solutions to carefully soften and detach the crusts and bark over several days before proceeding to therapy with ointment. If a lameness or swelling of the leg comes in addition the veterinary surgeon must be consulted absolutely.