Mud Fever Infection

[HarlequinSeren]

Hi, I have recently got a horse, and I knew from the previous owner that he is prone to mud fever. When I got him he had it a bit and now it has got infected and the leg is swollen. I am going to go to the vet about it tomorrow but I would like to know if anyone has any experience with this?
I told the previous owner, and she said it got infected before and she was prescribed antibiotics which she had to inject twice a day.
Does anyone know how much this will cost roughly? Just so I know what to expect tomorrow.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated as I am very worried right now, being that this is my first horse as well!
Thanks

 

[HaffiesRock]

Hi there. I cant advise on the vet costs, but my mare has mud fever. When she came to me she had it really bad. Old scabs matted into her feathers, they smelled awful, infected and puss filled and she was very uncomfortable, stamping her feet and getting very frustrated.
I wash her legs with hibiscrub which works really well. I started doing it everyday for a week, drying thoroughly then applying sudocrem. Shes now scab free and I only wash her legs when they are already wet and muddy. They dry overnight and I apply sudocrem before turning out the next week.

Works for me )

Hope your horse is feeling better soon x

 

[be positive]

If the vet gives you antibiotics to help clear the infection it is usually in a powder that you give in the feed, so no need to inject.
You will once it has cleared up this time need to try and prevent it coming back over the winter, if you wash the legs do not use warm water as this will open the pores and allow infection in more easily.
If he has feathers it may help if you clip them to allow the legs to be dried more easily and try not to get them wet too often, if you stable overnight they will be able to dry well and the mud can then be brushed off or wash them with cold water and dry with a towel and keep on a good thick bed so legs get really dry overnight.
You will need find the best way for you to deal with this problem as prevention is better than cure, each horse is different in what works best for them.