Pyoderma, Staphylococcal

Pyoderma, Staphylococcal



Basic Information  image



Definition


Common bacterial skin infection of horses caused by coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus



Epidemiology



Species, Age, Sex


Horses of all ages and both sexes can be affected.



Genetics and Breed Predisposition


Seen in all breeds, but has been more commonly reported in thin-skinned horses such as Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and Quarter Horses



Risk Factors




• Trauma to the skin and any kind of stress have been thought to be involved in the development of the condition.


• Excessive sweating in combination with friction from saddle pads and the saddle can create lesions that get infected with the organism.


• Excessive tail rubbing contributes to presence of lesion in this area.



Contagion and Zoonosis


Use of contaminated brushes, blankets, and tack between affected and healthy horses can occasionally cause the spread of S. aureus.



Geography and Seasonality


Frequently seen in the spring and summer when hair coat changes are occurring and also seen after clipping



Associated Conditions and Disorders


In severe cases, horses can develop systemic disease, which needs to be treated accordingly.



Clinical Presentation



History, Chief Complaint


The primary complaint is the presence of papules centered around a hair follicle, which can be extremely painful to the horse, making it very difficult to palpate the affected area or place tack on the horse.



Physical Exam Findings


The affected areas can be extremely painful to palpation, and the horse may require sedation to be adequately evaluated if multiple lesions are present. Exudation is not a common finding but can occasionally be present, causing clumping or matting of the hair coat.



Etiology and Pathophysiology


S. aureus infection. Multiple papules or pustules, especially over the saddle area but can be found anywhere in the body. The lesions form crusts with hair incorporated and may coalesce to form large edematous nodules and plaques.

< div class='tao-gold-member'>

Related posts:

  1. Codocytes
  2. Rhabdomyolysis
  3. Albumin
  4. Protein-Losing Nephropathy

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Tags:
Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Pyoderma, Staphylococcal

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access