Mud Fever (officially called Pastern Dermatitis) is an uncomfortable and irritating condition that effects horses. It involves
painful scabs forming around infected areas
. It most commonly occurs on the lower legs, particularly below the fetlock, but can actually occur in other places around the body.
How do you get rid of mud fever?
You’ll need to wash the affected leg(s) with
a warm, very dilute Hibiscrub solution – 0.1% solution
is recommended – and rinse it off fully with warm, clean water. Make sure you do use warm water to wash the affected areas (never cold) and never put neat Hibiscrub directly on to your horse’s skin.
How do you know you have mud fever?
Mud fever, also known as pastern dermatitis or ‘cracked heels’ is characterized by scabs and sore on a horse’s legs. It often affects pink skinned areas and may be noticed as red,
sore areas of skin
that may be weeping, or lumpy patches often on the lower limbs, although any leg can be affected.
Will mud fever heal itself?
Just remember, that mud fever and rain-scald are persistent conditions that can take considerable effort to clear up effectively. You
will need to keep the bacteria away from the skin for long enough for the skin to heal fully
and healthy skin grow back.
How long does mud fever take to heal?
Systemic antibiotics; courses can vary from
3 days to 3 weeks
and will be determined by your vet. Pain relief/anti-inflammatories- are important if the horse has painful scabs.
Should you bandage mud fever?
Applying
stable bandages to dry legs
can help keep them clean, provide support and reduce any potential swelling. Severe mud fever may require repeat treatments and cream applied to the skin.
Does mud fever cause swelling?
What does Mud fever look like? The legs, more commonly hindlimbs, affected with mud fever
can become swollen
and the skin can look inflamed (reddened), this can make the horse very uncomfortable and sensitive over the affected areas. Scabs may appear on the legs, which may ooze serum or bleed when removed.
Is mud fever an infection?
If left untreated, mud fever can cause cellulitis,
chronic infection and inflammation of the soft tissues
. This can in turn lead to a pitting oedema involving heat and pain, running from coronet to cannon bone, hocks or even higher.
Should you wash mud off horses legs?
Wet legs offer the perfect environment for the bacteria to breed, so although it is necessary to wash legs clean from mud, if you do not dry them
they will not heal
. Legs should be patted with a towel, blotted with kitchen paper or dried with a hairdryer if it is safe to do so.
Is Pig oil good for mud fever?
Pig oil is a
skin conditioning oil for pigs
and that can be used to prevent mud fever in horses by helping to create a barrier to wet conditions around the legs and preventing cracked heels. Pig Oil can also be used to reduce the risk of lice and mite infestations, as the insects dislike greasy environments.
How do I protect my horses legs from mud?
Mud fever boots
will help to keep your horse’s legs clean and protected when he’s turned out in muddy conditions. Shires offer two close contact “mud socks” that fit snugly around the contours of your horse’s leg like a second skin. They help to keep your horse’s legs dry and, more importantly, mud free.
What causes mud rash?
Mud Rash is a frustrating disease, caused by
the bacteria, Dermatophilus congolensis
, which is present normally on horses’ skin; it is a bacteria which has many similarities to a fungus.
Does rain scald itch?
Symptoms. Dermatophilosis / rain scald presents as scabs on the skin, most often over the back area. Lesions begin as weepy sores, which become crusty, and in severe cases can become swollen and contain yellow-green pus. The
rain scald lesions don’t itch
, but the skin underneath the scabs is sensitive.
What is swamp fever?
Equine infectious anemia (EIA)
, also known as swamp fever, is a potentially fatal disease caused by a virus that can infect all types of equines, including horses, mules, zebras and donkeys.
Why do horses get rain scald?
What causes Rain Scald? The bacteria that causes rain scald is called
Dermatophilus congolensis
. Prolonged wetting and cracking of the skin surface, as occurs in wet weather, allows the bacteria to invade the surface layer of the skin and establish an infection.
Can horses get mud fever in summer?
The disease is most often seen in the winter months and as its name suggests occurs when the horse is exposed to persistent wet, muddy conditions. It can also occur in a
less severe form during the summer months
where the heels have scabs and matted hair. The horse often resents the area being examined due to pain.
