Arrgh, b****y mud fever!!

shelly018

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Am having a nightmare - my chaps mud fever just won't go away!!

The poor sod has been confined to stable for the last 2 weeks as I just can't turn him out anymore. I'm doing everything I should (or think I am). Keeping them dry, apart from a hibi-scrub wash once a week, massaging the scabs so they soften and fall off themselves, not picking them. His legs are kept clean and dry in the day and then have cream on them overnight. I've had to cut off his feathers as I couldn't get to all of the scabs, he looks horrendous, but it all seemed to be working well. He only has it on his offside hind and fore, and it has got to the stage where he has no hair on the inside of the legs between the fetlock and the knee/hock, for about 2 inches wide. The skin is nice and pink and clean, but it has travelled up the leg. Do you reckon I need some anti-biotics? But, there isn't any real wounds, just 'orrible little scabs!

On the plus side......he had'nt been ridden for 3 days and was an angel today - bless him!!
 
I think the vet will need to give him that special cream.

C had chronic mud fever earlier this year and ended up bandaged to the hilt with this cream on. For the life of me I cant remember what its called
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although I do know he put a steriod in it.

Luckily C hasnt been too bad this year. Im covering her legs in Sudocream and then leaving her legs to dry naturally.
 
This may be of interest to you
http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/dbs/mudfever/
Having said that, I applied and while waiting for the cream I started using Keretex powder and sportabac boots and slowly it has got better .I do have to take home the boots each night to wash and dry but for the first time in ages his legs are looking good and he can go in the field.
I have not used the stuff from the uni but the gentleman was very nice
Good luck
 
Thanks. Just been on that site - how bad does that look!! Thankfully we aren't at that stage - and hope not to be!

I looked at that keretex powder, but as there are so many products on the market.
 
We had a palomino that used to get horrendous mud fever. I did all the above plus at night I kept his legs warm with leg wraps. They also helped dry him off quickly.
 
I found creams messy and got dirty but I have found the powder great and the scabs have dried, if I ride and they get dirty I use cotton wool to dry the legs ,never anything abrasive, then rub in the powder to dry completely then I use the boots, they are expensive but worth every penny.
The gentleman from Lincoln uni has just emailled me so he is working if anyone is interested in his trial.He sends you powder and cream but he wants the legs to stay dry and uncovered which was not an option for me
 
Given how long you have been struggling with it I think I might be inclined to ask the vet to take a look or simply seek advice from them over the phone; your vet may want to prescribe some antibiotic cream or a course of oral antibiotics to help clear it up.

I have found Equine Americas Fungatrol cream very good for treating MF in the past.

Good luck with it, MF is such a pain
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Definately get the vet out & ask for some antibiotics. It sounds like you've given the normal treatment a good go & if it has't worked by now then something more's needed.

I agree with lzt about the Fungatrol ointment - fantastic stuff!
 
Ive had evil problems with mud fever in the past and was panicing like mad when my grey started with it this year. I called the vet immediatly and asked for advice which was somewhat commical tbh, but hey... ive moved countries, im allowed to ask how they treat stuff here.

I told the vet the problem and he asked what i was doing. I said i was letting legs dry, brushing off the sand (it was from the horse walker, not the fields), cleaning with hibiscrub every 3 days or so and using cream and leg wraps.

He laughed

Dont clean them is what i got in reply. Dont ever ever ever put water anywhere near them.

Ok fine, i know water makes the skin barriers weaker but id always been told to clean up mud fever every couple of days at least.

He told me to go to the saddlery in town and ask for the cream she recommended, to brush off sand once the legs were dry and slap the cream on. No bandaging, no cleaning.

Fine.

Mudfever vastly cleared up in 3 days and is now gone
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Anyway, if you're interested, its the Blue Hors skin healer im using which is designed for most skin problems. Im pretty sure you can get the range in the UK.

http://www.bluehors.dk/pleje/pleje_7sår.htm

Its at the top of the page and its absolutly amazing stuff! Quite thick so good at stoping the moisture getting through anyway. looks rather funky as its a baby blue colour but id thoroughly recommend it anyway.
 
PLEASE try Global Herbs MUDX
IT IS FANTASTIC for mudfever. basically it heals the scabs from the inside out and between 1-2 weeks you just brush the scabs off and its clean healthy skin!!! I've had my boy on it for 2 winters now, he's got 4 white socks and used to get very sore scabs, i tried everything, washing, cleaning everyday but it still didn't work and he started getting irritated and wouldn't let me near his legs.
With this supplement you don't scrub the scabs anymore, just leave them and they just drop off as dead skin!
Good luck! Please keep us posted with results!
 
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