Mud Fever Masterclass – Treatment
Mud Fever Masterclass – Treatment
By Dr Jim Rawlinson BVMS MBA MRCVS
Mud fever can quickly go from being a minor issue with a few mild lesions to serious problem causing pain, discomfort and being difficult to treat. That’s why vigilance is essential and prompt action needed when the earliest signs are spotted.
Scabs are often the first indication of a problem, and I check for them daily particularly the heals, around the fetlocks and down the back of the cannon bones. Although Wilfred and Henry are not heavily feathered, they have enough hair cover to hide scabs and lesions, so I use my fingers to feel right down to skin level to make sure all is smooth and healthy.
One isolated scab could be the result of a scratch or a late insect bite, but all should be investigated and more than one should sound alarm bells. It’s best to remove any scabs but this should be done carefully as the underlying skin can be sore. Soaking to soften them can help but specific products can make this easier. Nettex Muddy Marvel De-Scab is a penetrating solution that helps soften minor scabs so they can be simply wiped away.
Although mud fever is associated with a Bacterial infection, commonly with Dermatophilus congolensis, it’s the damp skin conditions and debris build up which are the main problems. So cleaning affected areas with a product formulated for horses such as Nettex Equine Veterinary Surgical Scrub is beneficial but only if it’s followed by thorough drying afterward.
These straightforward steps, if promptly instigated, should help contain any mild outbreak before things get out of hand. But it’s important to remember that some cases can escalate and require a more thorough approach.
It’s important to get your vet’s advice if things do not resolve easily and certainly if the horse is in pain or there is any lameness. Some more severe cases will need a more intensive approach best carried out with vet supervision, possibly supported by prescription medicines.
Some hard to resolve cases can be linked to underlying problems such as Cushing’s Disease, and some other diseases can be mistaken for mud fever and need more specific treatment. Your vet is best placed to confirm what’s going on and provide the best advice to sort the problem out.
As winter sets in, especially after such a dry summer, it’s hard to get back into my regular mud control regime, it seems to take up so much time! But once we get back into the routine it’s not that bad and well worth the effort.
