[CrowneDragon]

I have a gelding that has pastern vasulitis (diagnosed by appearance and response to topical steroids, versus standard treatment for scratches). I have been treating him with topical hydrocortisone and antibiotic cream, and this helps, but I have a big gunky mess with dirt and bedding every day, which means I either scrub that off and aggravate his skin, or do nothing, which doesn't help.

I asked my vet about using Genesis spray (based on my searches here) and he said that would be fine, and his clinic carried it. His clinic staff says they don't, and I think he's thinking of Gentaved, because he also mentioned betamathasone.

My question: Has anyone used Gentaved for this issue? Having a spray on antibiotic-steroid combo seems like a good idea, but I'm not sure about this particular drug combo. I generally have to keep him wrapped or booted to keep the sun off as well, and I want to make sure I don't use something that will cause irritation underneath. I'm sure I could get them to order Genesis if needed.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[lorilu]

Could you describe just what pastern vasculitis is?
thanks

[CrowneDragon]

Could you describe just what pastern vasculitis is?
thanks

I believe the proper term would be pastern leukoclastic vasculitis, or photoaggravated leukoclastic vasculitis of the pastern, or similar.

I believe it is an inflammation of the vasculature, often just presenting on pink skin (the "photo" part, due to sun/UV aggravation), and common on the pasterns/lower legs. Often looks just like scratches, but an entirely different etiology/treatment. It may have an immune/auto-immune component.

[Perfect Pony]

Not sure what the difference is between betamethasone vs triamcinolone, but you may want to discuss this with your vet.

If the condition is chronic you may also want your vet to discuss the possibility of also using pentoxifylline with the dermatology department at UC Davis. It was a combination of pentoxifylline and steroids that cleared up my horse's vasculitis.

[ChestnutCreek]

I have used Genesis spray alone with great results. Also did a 21 day course of Tucoprim for the secondary bacterial infection. This is a great reference:

cp.vetlearn.com/Media/PublicationsArticle/PVE_02_07_214.pdf

I still advocate a biopsy for a complete diagnosis.

[baylady7]

also you can try Alushield, which is over the counter

[CrowneDragon]

also you can try Alushield, which is over the counter

Did you use this for scratches, or vasculitis? I have wondered about it as a sun barrier. I have also wondered about spray-on sunscreen...

I am waiting for a call back from my vet regarding GentaVet vs Genesis. The former definitely being more expensive. I did find reference to betamethasone being suitable for LV. Not sure about the gentamicin.

[msj]

CrowneDragon, here's a thread talking about PLV. I've just gotten the biopsy back on my horse who we(vet and I) treated for scratches for the last 2 months until last wk when we did the biopsy and it's confirmed he has vasculitis. I'm just starting the first treatment regime that we are trying with him and that's the oral dexamethasone. Hope you get your horse healed and am hoping my boy gets doing better fast.


http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/sh...tic-Vasculitis

[CrowneDragon]

For future reference, we (my vet and I) ended up deciding to try the gentamicin-betamathasone spray since they had it in stock, and it has worked very nicely. After 2 weeks of daily treatment (missed a couple of days in there), his lesions are 90% healed. I will continue to treat until his skin looks normal, which I imagine will be within another week.

[msj]

For future reference, we (my vet and I) ended up deciding to try the gentamicin-betamathasone spray since they had it in stock, and it has worked very nicely. After 2 weeks of daily treatment (missed a couple of days in there), his lesions are 90% healed. I will continue to treat until his skin looks normal, which I imagine will be within another week.

Glad to hear your horse is doing well. I started with the Genesis spray after the 1st week on dex not doing anything. Still on dex and Genesis spray twice/day and other than the biopsy spots, everything seems to be healing. I need to call the vet to see if I can start to taper off the dex and Genesis spray now.

[Flash44]

Knock on wood, but I have a pony who got this every summer, and she was susceptible to rain rot in the winter. Her legs blew up like tree trunks one summer, had to get the vet out, etc. I put her on ground flax (not quite a cup a day)last year and haven't seen any problems ever since. Plus she has a super shiny, super soft coat.

[msj]

Knock on wood, but I have a pony who got this every summer, and she was susceptible to rain rot in the winter. Her legs blew up like tree trunks one summer, had to get the vet out, etc. I put her on ground flax (not quite a cup a day)last year and haven't seen any problems ever since. Plus she has a super shiny, super soft coat.

Hm, this sounds like it's worth trying. My boy only gets it in the fall and in the past have treated him for scratches even with no mud anyway. It would generally take several months till it finally went away. This yr was when it kept getting worse and I finally had the vet do a biopsy.

I'll see if either feed store has ground flax, or if I have to go to a health food store.

[Ghazzu]

Genatmicin-betamethasone spray is my go-to choice for refractory scratches.
Works like a charm in most cases, and doesn't leave the debris-attracting goo that many touted miracle cures do.

[Flash44]

If your feed store does not carry ground flax, you can get whole flax seeds and grind it with a coffee grinder although it's a bit tedious. Ground flax is usually good for about 90 days.

[msj]

If your feed store does not carry ground flax, you can get whole flax seeds and grind it with a coffee grinder although it's a bit tedious. Ground flax is usually good for about 90 days.

I'll bet a food processer could also grind it up pretty well. Thanks for the tip.

[baylady7]

For vasculitis, has worked very well, easily ordered online or purchased in most tack/feed stores.