What is mud fever?
Mud fever is an inflammatory skin condition of the lower limbs of horses. It can also be known as pastern dermatitis or cracked heels. This frustrating and common condition in horses is usually associated with wet muddy conditions but can be seen year round.
Symptoms include:
· Skin scabs and crusts- often with hair stuck in the scab and a moist discharge underneath
· Matted hair and patches of hair loss
· Cracks in the skin
· Heat, pain and swelling in the lower limb
· In severe cases lameness can be seen
The above symptoms are classically seen on the back of the pastern and heels but can be found higher on the limb.
Mud fever is generally caused by a bacteria called Dermatophilus congolensis but other factors can be involved in this inflammatory condition.
How to treat mud fever
· Wash the areas with a warm dilute solution of Hibiscrub or another antimicrobial skin cleanser. Clip any long hair in the region for better access and drying.
· Try to gently remove any scabs in the area – care not to traumatise the skin too much as this can risk infection extending deeper into the leg which could cause a cellulitis.
· Dry the leg with clean towels or paper towels, being sure to use clean towels on each individual leg to avoid bacterial spread.
· Most cases can be treated with topical cream from your vet. In more severe cases where there may be a cellulitis or resistance to treatment oral antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatories may be prescribed.
· Keep the legs as dry as possible to encourage healing, this could include some time stabled to aid recovery.
· Any underlying conditions must be addressed – e.g mite infestations in some horses, or PPID (Cushing’s)disease, which can suppress the immune systems response to infection.
Not all cases of mud fever have a bacterial primary cause and with antibiotic resistance becoming more prevalent, you may find that your vet recommends management
changes and anti-inflammatory treatments initially, reserving topical and oral antimicrobials for cases that do not respond.
Prevention of mud fever
The wet conditions seen more in muddy environments, particularly in winter, result in softening of the skin, which increases the risk of surface trauma to the skin which then allows bacterial entry. The best way to reduce the risk of your horse developing mud fever is to avoid the underlying causes. This can include:
· Aim to keep your horse’s legs as dry as possible. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, so avoid regular leg washing. Leaving the mud to dry and then brushing it off is a better option.
· Consider rotating fields to reduce poaching and fencing off gateways etc to reduce opportunities for standing in mud.
· Ensure any bedding is dry, clean and non-irritant to reduce any surface skin irritation.
· Consider clipping the legs to allow the skin to dry quicker and early lesions to be spotted and treated quicker, before they spread.