Mud Fever.. general Q...

[Katie__Connie]

I've never had a horse have mud fever so I don't know much about it... but... Some people say you should pick the scabs off... surely that's the body trying to heal so won't it cause more harm than good? Not that I know anything about it.. just wondering... thanks

and sorry for the numpty Q

 

[ester]

The main bacteria that causes mudfever only multiplies in an anaerobic environment.. where there isn't any oxygen

removing the scabs exposes the skin to the air which will prevent further growth of the bacterium.

 

[Katie__Connie]

ahh i see... thanks

 

[squirtlysmum]

Yep the little monsters that cause the infection live under the scabs, there is quite a difference between mud fever scabs and healthy scabs. The mud fever type will look sticky underneath.
Heel to Hoof is really good or Muddy marvel which I've tried for the first time this year and comes with a descab, a disinfectant and a barrier cream and did the job nicely!

 

[Kallibear]

'scab' is kinda the wrong word for the Mudfever ones: it's more of a 'crust' of dried pus. They come off easily and are sticky underneath. Proper 'healing' scabs are well attatched and are hard to come off.

It's an old fashioned treatment 'picking off scabs' and doesn't really help. A gentle scrub with warm water and antibacterial soap will let the yucky crusts come off easily whilst leaving the healthy scabs attatched.

 

[HensPens]

I'm going for:
Remove scabs with washing (hibiscrub)
Apply baby oil to keep the mud off
Sudocream to heel and sooth
(the economy version of the muddy marvel range basically!)

 

[ucmeicu]

Aromaheel, just spread on and leave, it removes the scabs, heals and just reapply afterwards.