Troubleshooting
	Rain Scald Louisa White, Bandon OR          Our donkeys get these little scabby patches on their backs and hips during the spring when it is still cold and rainy here.  This is called rain scald, and really needs treatment to make sure it doesn't spread and cause infection.       The hair on the hip and up onto their backs will be in little tufts with a little scab.  Since it can be made worse by the rain, you need to see if you can keep your donkey in shelter, but also have your vet treat the condition.  Our vet says it usually occurs during the fall and winter months, but since donkeys are still in shaggy coats in the spring, we still see it a lot until they shed out.      It is also called rain rot, but the vet term is dermatophilus.  It is a skin disease that is caused by a fungus.  Anytime you have a long time where it may stay humid and wet, you can get rain scald.  Not all of the animals in a herd will get it, though.  You may also have some animals that are more prone to it each year.      You can spread this fungus from one animal to another, so be careful when you are grooming an infected animal.  Don?t use the same brushes on other animals.  Most vets will tell you to go ahead and get the crusty places off, but don't pick at them until they bleed.     You can treat the animal with iodine or Betadine shampoo. (If you are allergic to iodine shampoos, use plastic gloves!)  Work the soap down into the coat, and rinse well.  Be sure to gather up any shed hair so the other animals don't come in contact with it.     Old timers say you can also wash you donkey in a mixture of weak chlorine bleach-  about 1 part bleach to 7 parts water.  We have also found a solution of Captan (Captavet) solution will work.  Some people also follow up treatment with good old Pine Tar soap.  (This is the same thing found in Nutragene T-Gel (R) shampoo.  This is actually good for a lot of skin and coat disorders, like bad dandruff flakes or itchy skin.)     All of the hair should grow back without scarring, but you need to keep the bald areas moist until the hair grows back in.  If the skin is cracked or bleeding, talk to your vet about a topical antibiotic.  Your vet will also want to check for other skin conditions such as lice or mange to make sure they are not causing the problem. Coming SOON: Jacksores Founder Feeding Donkeys What is an even Bite? Conformation Points "Popped Stifles" Cushings Hyperlypemia
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