Luba I need a natural remedy - Pet forum for dogs cats and humans

MBRA518 · #1 August 10th, 2004, 01:14 PM

Ok I've asked this on the horse board and no-one has answered so I thought you could help seeing as you have lots of home remedies.

My horse recently broke out with scabs or blisters on his muzzle.. it is either caused by the sun (sunburn) or the dew on the grass - not sure how that works but that seems to be the most likely cause as he's never had sunburn before. Anyway according to the people on the horse board, Tea tree oil is supposed to work wonders - but no one has answered my questions about how to apply it. I thought maybe you would have some ideas.

Right now I have been applying aloe to it and then covering it in SPF45 sunscreen - that seems to be helping a little, but it's just not clearing up fast enough for my liking. As it seems quite itchy - I pulled off some of the scabs last night, the ones that came off easily, and applied more Aloe and sunscreen. Because it is very close to his mouth I don't want to apply the dressings or ointments that I would normally use on the horses... Any ideas?

glasslass · #2 August 10th, 2004, 05:38 PM

I don't know if this is anything to consider or not. I just remember my pop (a farrier) used to use teat balm, or bag balm, for lots of things and I believe it's safe, but not sure.

Luba · #3 August 10th, 2004, 06:23 PM

Hmm poor horsie!
I wouldn't pull the scabs off, let them come off on their own. If they're not ready to you can open the area and expose it to possible infection.

Well if you want to continue using a sunscreen make sure it contains zinc, zinc has a natural drying base to it.

If you are trying to 'dry' it out, like it's a heat blister go to the pharmacy and get a zinc based creme for baby diaper rash. Make sure there isn't a lot more to it then zinc. Ask the pharmacist for zinc creme for rash. You can try that to dry it out.

Tea tree oil will be more anticeptic to prevent infection but it's not very soothing. If it's red and irritated the aloe will soothe it but not dry it up if it's pustule looking.

So if you wanna dry it, try zinc cream for a few days alone by itself. It should help with any irritation feeling as well.

I wouldn't use too many different things on it at one time, it could counteract the affect of another.

Is there any chance that it's a bush / shrub irritation? There has been a lot of rain and lots of different types of weeds and things are thriving in the rain we're getting. Maybe there's some nettle around an area she's eating some clover?? Thats just a guess?

Is she wearing a halter / no? (I know so little about horses)
May want to take the halter off until this heals.

Any food change? Could it be food allergy?

MBRA518 · #4 August 10th, 2004, 08:22 PM

Thanks Luba... I looks like I have finally got it... the scabs are starting to come off now and it's looking pretty good underneath.... It actually isn't wet or gooie at all and the Aloe seems to make it feel better... I've also been bathing it with epsom salts before applying the Aloe the last 2 nights, He really seems to enjoy that (he's a weird horse)

I use the sunscreen only after the Aloe is all soaked in - I'm only using it in case is was brought on by the sun.

I'm not really sure what caused it, but there are apearently quite a few horses with it around (none close to him though so it's not a contagious thing). This type of thing can appearently be caused by dew on the grass... not sure how or why though. And they have only been on the new pasture for a few weeks and the grass is still pretty high out there. It's unlikely a weed of any type as the other 2 horses show no signs at all.

The rash/scabs are not high enough for the halter to bother it - but he lives with out one on anyway.

Thank so much!