Mud fever/bacteria (change of grass/field) problem - any info?

[DebbieCG]

Apologies if this problem has been covered before, but I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge about mud fever flare up (any season) caused by change of grass or field and not wet/muddy conditions.

My horse has over the years suffered from mud fever mainly on her hind heals which never quite clears up. We seem to have noticed that one of her hind legs is affected mostly, which coincides with a change of field. For instrance, she can change field to one she has not been in for about 9 months and she seems to have a problem and she can go slightly lame on her hind leg, which actually appears like it is the top of the leg that has the problem, although the fetlock becomes swollen.

I don't mean the scabs making her become lame but she seems to get an infection in her leg and then we call the vet and anti biotics are given and all better again.

I am not knowledgeable on this subject - does anyone know if there is any source of information I can look at please to learn more about the process/how bacteria/mud fever may affect etc?

 

[hollyandivy123]

hi what is the grass height in the field i have to be careful with my mare for this reason, the grass dew will set her off with an infection

 

[DebbieCG]

Hi, thanks for reply.

The grass is not that long in the field (maybe a bit above normal height to that of usual grazing fields). It has just been cut for hay. We have been in there last year in the summer too and over the years been in the field at certain times of the year.

It is interesting to learn what happens with your mare with grass dew.

Someone said recently that the term mud fever is a bit misleading.

Some years ago my mare had problems each time she had been in two different fields. At first we don't seem to know what the problem is and then we figure it is probably to do with the change of grass/field that causes her back leg problem.

 

[Donkeymad]

Not sure if your horse is experiencing this every time you change field, or just when going into this particular field. There are different micro organisms in each field and the ones that cause mud/fever rain scald can be present in one field and not another.

 

[DebbieCG]

Thanks for reply Donklet.

My mare is not experiencing this everytime we change field, but over the years we have noticed that sometimes after a change of field this leg problem happens.

My mare does have a history with this leg problem and one or two other problems with this particular hind leg but she is usually sound most of the time (ie she was once kicked above fetlock on that hind leg and that is the fetlock that always swells more than her other three). Her front legs hardly ever swell.

At first when she goes slightly lame it looks like the problem/lameness is coming from the top of her hind leg and when standing even the junior vet said this time that her hind quarters/rump looked aysymetrical. But this vet said initially it looked like her leg had infection due to the mudfever on heals. She has just been on anti-biotics and bute and all sound after coming off the medication. This leg problem seems to sometimes coincide with change of field or rather perhaps a change of field triggers the leg problem.

One of my theories is that her upper leg/hind quarter is affected probably due to the initial infection at the bottom/heal of her hind leg. I think it kind of throws her out of sync a bit. But of course I am not sure as I am no expert. Our very experienced vet gave her the all clear early this week.

We never know when it is going to happen as I don't do anything unusual or extreme with her routine. She has been at equine college for three years now and returns to old yard every summer, but this leg problem hasn't happened for a few years but has occured over the last 6 years or so.

 

[cellie]

I can tell you what happened with mine.
It took few weeks to find but she had tiniest little scab size of small finger nail ,every time I worked her she knocked scab off and it kept reinfecting. In the end it turned from mud fever to cellulitis and she needed two lots of anti biotics.Im really carefull now and always work her in brushing boots,she is very narrow and didnt work in good outline as she had no muscle so possibly she will be more balanced now she is schooled and wont knock herself anymore .Im hoping that she doesnt injure herself in field but have turnout boots on standby for winter to keep area clean and dry. Her infection worked up the leg to the hock and at one stage she couldnt pickup her back leg for farrier.
Vet told me that the back legs are furthest away from heart and have poorest circulation hence swelling and heat.Have a look on inside of fetlock for small cuts and treat with antbiotic cream if you can.

 

[DebbieCG]

Thanks for your reply cellie, that's very helpful information.

I have taken note of all advice/replies here.

i must remember that when my mare has this strange, unexplanable leg problem every now and then, which seems to look like it is actually at the very top of her hind leg and quarters, that I should first think about mud fever infection at the bottom of her leg/fetlock. This leg problem always seens to be better after anti-biotics, so must infer that it's infection, rather than a joint or back problem. I think the mud fever infection triggers her lameness/top leg problem, ie she doesn't have a problem with her hind leg for no reason.

 

[cellie]

After re reading your post I also noticed we have another similarity my mare was kicked in her hock and has very slight capped hock I think this is why the cellulitis /swelling gets trapped in lower leg.You could try mud fever barrier cream I used nex tex it prevents the area becoming dry and cracks forming and shields from wet conditions.I think this year is going to be prevention rather than cure.