What is mud fever in horses and how can it be treated?
Heavenly Pastures Horse Cremations Guide to Mud Fever
The term mud fever refers to a range of skin conditions, known as pastern dermatitis. It is caused by bacteria, which thrive in muddy conditions. The infection may stay dormant in a horse’s skin and become active after the surface is compromised, usually after prolonged exposure to damp conditions.
If a horse gets the condition, the signs are distinctive: they include matted areas of skin with crusty scabs that have a discharge underneath. You may notice heat and swelling. Eventually, hair loss leaves inflamed, raw skin which can split open at the back of the leg, creating horizontal fissures.
If you are not sure it is mud fever, call your vet. If your horse is prone to mud fever, keep its legs dry. Try to prevent the paddock from getting churned up, as mud fever bacteria live in the soil. If possible, regularly change the point you enter the field and move water troughs around. Cover muddy areas with straw.
Key points to successfully treat mud fever
- The earlier you can spot infection the easier it will be to treat – so be sure to check your horse’s legs every day
- Keeping a horse’s legs dry is vital
- Clipping out feathery legs makes it easier to treat mud fever in horses
- Use a warm dilute (0.1%) Hibiscrub solution on the affected area, rinsing it fully with warm, clean water and drying it thoroughly
- Removing scabs is vital to help heal
- Use of a barrier cream can prevent further infection and encourage healing
- If in doubt, call the vet!
Heavenly Pastures Horse Cremations
Heavenly Pastures Horse Cremations are here to help you with a collection and cremation services for horses – we cover the counties of Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire within a two to three hour drive, as well as offering a nationwide horse collection and cremation service. We give you the opportunity to grieve as our equine end of life service takes care of practical arrangements for you. For more help or advice contact us on one of the following:-
Leyland Horse Cremations 01704 776 976
Warrington Horse Cremations 01704 776 976
Southport Horse Cremations 01704 776 976
Wigan Horse Cremations 01704 776 976
St Helens Horse Cremations 01704 776 976
