What do you use to treat mud fever?

Answer 1

Mud fever is a common skin condition mostly affecting the heels, pasterns and coronet band of horses that spend too much time standing in wet or muddy areas. Poor living conditions result in skin infection and sores from bacteria and fungus, which can cause a great deal of pain. In severe cases, the horse may develop cracked heals and abscesses that can take a long time to heal. Horses with white socks or stockings are more susceptible to the condition than unmarked horses due to lack of pigmentation in the affected area. Most cases occur in late winter and early spring.

Mud fever is essentially the same condition as rain rot, but more severe and limited to the legs.

The first action to take when treating mud fever is to permanently remove the horse from the source of trouble. This may mean keeping a cleaner stall, not using a muddy paddock for turnout, and not riding in very sloppy conditions (which is dangerous, anyway). You will never be able to heal a horse that is constantly exposed to deep mud and manure.

Next, use clippers or scissors to remove as much hair as possible from around the affected area. Thoroughly wash the wounds with an anti-fungal/antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine (Hibiscrub) or hexetidine (Triocil).

Remove any scabs and debris, and scrub the underlying skin as well, taking care not to cause excessive pain. Rinse the legs and pat them dry with a clean towel. You can also use a hairdryer set to low heat to speed drying.

Finally, apply antibacterial, antibiotic ointment to the wounds. You will need to keep the legs clean and dry for treatment to be effective; however, avoid over-treating or washing too frequently with harsh chemicals, as this can cause further damage to the skin.

The best treatment for mud fever is prevention. Always rinse and dry muddy legs following a workout, and considering using bell boots to prevent clipping or other small injuries that provide a fertile home for bacteria to grow.

As with any serious illness, injury or condition, consult your veterinarian for further advice.

Answer 2

to get rid of mud fever, you must wash off the mud from the horses legs and put on a barrier cream such as vaseline or udder cream. This will help but if possible keep the horse out of the Mud!

Answer 3

you should purchase the antiseptic ointment from the shop, and give it to your horse.

*udated 6/22/2011* Howrse has updated and no longer has any medications or sicknesses.:) happy Howrsing

Answer 4

here is what you could a about it

Mud Fever occurs during the wet winter months and is principally caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis.

Mud fever is essentially a form of dermatitis which affects the skin on the heel, fetlock and pastern. All horses can be affected, but particularly those with long hair around the fetlock. Back legs are more prone to mud fever than front.

Inflammation of the skin and underlying tissues leads to the skin swelling, stretching and weeping; cracks appear, hair falls out and hard scabs form.

Horses exposed to a muddy environment or which are kept in a dirty or unsatisfactory condition are liable to Mud Fever.

Here are some tips on managing mud fever.

1. Correct bad management practices. Keep horses prone to fever out of the rain and away from mud as much as possible. In severe cases consult your vet.

2. Dry the legs thoroughly before stabling using kitchen towel and keep really clean, brushing out mud, and grit laden debris.

3. Keep stabled horses bedding clean and dry.

4. Try to limit stabling to over-night -- horses don't like being cooped up. And the stress of being stabled 24hrs a day in the winter could engender colic.

5. Over-night stabling gives the legs a chance to dry off and the opportunity for you to apply your favourite cream such as Mud-X Cream (from Global Herbs) before turning your horse out.

6. Clip away any excess feathering but try to avoid clipping the legs.

Another thing that helps prevent mud fever is rubbing your horse's legs, from the knees down, with Baby Oil. First, wash legs clean. Damp legs. This lets the mud slide off their feet. Johnson's Baby Oil is what I use. It works well. Apply it atleast 2 times a week. The more, the better. Note: Not all horses like their feet being touched, so, be careful, as my horse tried to kick me.