What Are the Treatments for Equine Pyoderma?

Pyoderma is a skin infection that causes a buildup and the eventual drainage of pus from underneath a horse's skin. The infection itself is caused by bacteria, and is often the result of a horse scratching, biting or otherwise damaging its own skin. Underlying causes of the scratching and biting are infected cuts sustained by wire or wooden fencing, poorly fitted tack, mites, worms, heat and allergies. There are several treatments for pyoderma.

    • Warm Epsom salt soaks help heal pyoderma and related skin infections. Clip the hair in the infected area. Apply warm towels soaked in a mixture of one gallon of warm water and one cup of Epsom salt. Apply the soak three times daily for fifteen minutes at a time, replacing the used towels with fresh ones as they dry out.

    • Betadine scrubs will remove crusty secretions on the skin and promote healing. Pour a small amount of Betadine onto the infected area and massage it into the skin. Use Betadine for up to a week at a time. If the infection is not responding after a week, your horse may need antibiotics.

    • Skin infections respond positively to several kinds of antibiotics administered orally or through an injection, including penicillin, oxytetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine. If you haven't seen any improvement in your horse's skin condition after a week of Betadine treatments and salt soaks, it's time to call the vet and get a prescription for antibiotics. Always consult your vet before administering antibiotics, so you know you're giving the correct kind and dose for treating the pyoderma.