Mud fever plan of action.

[PapaverFollis]

I'm feeling like a useless horse owner again. MrT has been hiding some mud fever under his feathers and I've missed it until it's got to the point of it being quite a bit of mud fever. How. I don't know. I think I'm just a bit thick sometimes. ?

Thing is I've never actually dealt with proper mud fever before. Just the odd scabby bit here and there. And never had one with as much feather as him (he hardly has any feathers for reference but has more than just tufty ankles). I kind of know what to do but it's not a concrete plan of action.

I've already washed with CD&M medicated shampoo. Then I put some NAF salve on which I don't think helped. I actually thought it wasn't so bad when I was washing it but today he was quite squinshy about having his legs picked up so I had another feel and there's more scabs than I thought. ? So....

1. Wash again.
2. Let dry.
3. Clip feathers off (assuming he's a good boy)
4. Put SOMETHING on.... I can't find my wound cream but I must have something that can go on for now.

I do have some Muddy Marvel Descab which I could use between 3 and 4?

5. Get SOMETHING to put on that will blimmin work to clear it up.
6. Treat for mites?? Not seen any evidence of mites but read something saying they can cause mud fever. Treatment for mites is obviously a whole other discussion.

7. If I'm not seeing improvement very soon I will speak to the vet.

I need suggestions for the SOMETHINGs, one that I've got laying around that I can put on tomorrow and two the best thing that's going to work that I can buy, probably over the Internet so not before Tuesday. The tack shop is also open tomorrow morning so could go on a mission but it's not got everything, very small place.

I'm feeling very upset and stupid. I feel like I know how to deal with mud fever but also am doubting myself because I've let him get mud fever in the first place and my number one method of dealing with mud fever is "don't get it in the first place". Which has worked for 11 years.

And yes I'm already worrying and fully catastrophising about underlying issues. Ordered some milk thistle already.

Sigh.

All help appreciated. Please discuss how useless I am behind my back rather than to my face though.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

First of all stop worrying, mud fever happens. Both mine get it because the bacteria is in the soil where we are and like you I missed the fact B had it in August. Not a shred of mud in sight and all he had was a nick on his heel and it wasn’t until it was really scabby I twigged.

Treatment which works for both mine is as follows. Wash with Malaseb shampoo, pat dry with paper towels so as not to rub the scabs off, liberally slather with Muddy Buddy cream and leave well alone. Repeat the washing bit for three days and then just reapply the cream until all the scabs are gone. It’s really easy, lots of slathering and no picking.

There was a thread yesterday where somebody was asking how to wrap heels/feet to soften scabs and HashRouge suggested an animalintex wrap so if you have any laying around it might help if you can’t find any cream tomorrow. Don’t put anything to astringent on the new skin as it can make it very sore and my vet advised never use Hibiscrub for that very reason although I know plenty of people do use it.

For an off the shelf product I really rate the Lincoln range and noticed the other day they now do a leg wash as well but haven’t researched the ingredients.

Hope that helps.

 

[PurBee]

I used aloe vera gel for sore-ish heels that were’nt scabby...worked very well, i always grab aloe vera gel with crusty yukky or infected skin issues and slather on daily...once morning before they go out and evening when they come into the dry area.
Aloe vera has been sooo handy to have in the horse medical kit box...use it more than anythjng else!

Calendula cream is also great for healing sore skin and wounds. If you’ve got any marigolds growing make a hot water decoction and wash with it.

Dont beat yourself up...horses are huge beasts covered in lots of hair and stomp in mud, its easy to miss a skin issue happening surreptitiously behind your back...and some skin issues can become bigger issues Surprisingly quickly, unless youve got the time to closely inspect every inch daily, which i certainly dont have time to do!

Worth checking copper mineral in diet, once i added that the horses heels have been fine and they’ve got plenty of mud to stomp through all year round. Before adding copper i was hosing them down daily when they came in, brushing on pig oil etc....

Here’s an article about copper dietary mineral and skin symptoms:

http://www.calmhealthyhorses.com/facebook/copper.html

You might be having issues this year rather than previous years if your horse’s iron/copper/zinc dietary ratio has gone too far out of balance due to change of pasture or forage? Or adding sugar beet fibre which is really high in iron....?

You can get copper supplements in a mixed mineral supplement, but may not be a good bio-available form of copper, many aren’t - or you can buy it stand alone as a liquid to add to a mash feed, or even as a syringe tube. I’ve used several Types and with the syringe tubes i mix it well in a mash feed rather than give it direct orally to the horse from the syringe. My gelding is a great spitter!

 

[jhoward]

Get some athlete's foot powder /cream and smother all the scabs
It's not a wound so why use such a cream?

I'll challenge you ..one leg do what your doing the other leg...nothing but some athlete's foot powder /cream...a picture diary would be great as many others will post the same question between now and next June.

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Mud fever just happens lass.

I swear with one of mine one day he was fine and the next day really not so much! And he didn't have feathers, which are just designed to cart mud about and hide stuff.

I admit that after him, if it's more than a small handful of scabs I'd get the vet in to sort it out sooner rather than later. Reduce the stress factor all round.

 

[CMcC]

I had a pony who wouldn’t let me touch his legs when he got mud fever, he got mud fever quite badly every winter.

I added Mud X from Global Herbs to his feed. I was desperate and had no expectation that it would work. Amazingly it worked, mud fever cleared up. The next winter I started it in the Autumn and he didn’t get it that winter at all.

 

[Keira 8888]

I use sudocrem on Prince as both prevention and cure and it seems to work a treat so far! I buy it in bulk from Amazon!

 

[ycbm]

It might be worth a diet check for sugar levels and zinc. I can't remember if you've told us before what he's fed?
.

 

[Red-1]

The first thing I would do is soften overnight, any emollient that is kind to the skin would do, or Animalintex. Make sure you bandage over the emollient, with a waterproof layer so it stays wet through the night. This will soften the scabs.

When you take it off in the morning, rinse first and wipe the scabs downwards. I never pick scabs, it just gets them antsy about having their legs handles as it obviously hurts. I then wash thoroughly, with Malaseb shampoo, which is amazing. You have to leave it on for quite a while before rinsing off, and I don't rinse too carefully at that. Towel dry. After that, flammazine is good, or something more waterproof if they are going out in the wet.

I would only use the Animalintex the once. Once the scabs have been removed, I would still use an emollient overnight, without the plastic but with a stable bandage. Once it is under more control the scabs will still return, but will wipe off in the morning so the leg won't need washing/wetting again. Then emollient again.

Once the scabs are under control then there is no need to bandage.

I have found the success to the treatment is not in the product, it is in the massage. Putting product on won't help. Massaging it in once the big scabs are removed is where success lies. I massage with something twice a day.

Right now I am using Gold Label Wonder Gel. It is not an emollient and does not leave a residue. I massage twice a day, shampoo once a week and all is well.

 

[atropa]

One of mine is quite prone to it, it happens. If I find it, I wash legs off, slather a huge layer of sudocrem on, then wrap her legs loosely in a layer of clingfilm and put stable wraps on top overnight. In the morning, I unwrap it all and just ease any scabs off that are loose. Repeat this until I'm happy that the mud fever is gone, then to prevent reoccurrence I pig oil legs followed by a layer of vaseline.
Cheap and cheerful and works with minimal fuss. Works best if you have a nice straw bed to dry legs naturally when they come in.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Thanks everyone. Digesting advice. I know I'm being dramatic but it's really upset me! Good to know it does just happen quite quickly though. I thought feeling his legs that I must have been missing it for weeks.

I don't have stables. But they're off the mud on hard standing at the moment so legs are dry now. However I'm not sure bandages are a good idea if he's wandering around with the others too. An potential unravelling incident in a stable is one thing, out with the others is another. I probably have stable boots of some kind somewhere that might work though...

Diet. He's been on minerals balanced to grass analysis by ForagePlus BUT I had to change his carrier feed a few weeks ago because he kept choking on the 'L' mix AND they've come off the grass since Monday and I stopped the minerals because I don't know what's in my hay yet. So it might all have gone out of whack again and he does seem particularly sensitive to that. I've got a hay analysis kit ready to go and then I'll speak to ForagePlus again.

I like the look of the Lincoln Muddy Buddy Kure stuff.

 

[GoldenWillow]

I've been caught out with mud fever before on a cob that had it badly when I bought him but had had none for 4 years, it must have appeared in just a couple of days. I used a very dilute rinse of hibiscrub and then sudocrem as that was what I had available immediately, which worked well. I've also used udder cream which is my go to with scabby bits atm.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Most vets now make their own dermatitis cream with antibiotics in it, that's all I use if mine have got it in the past.
Gently loosen off scabs with warm salty water or mild hibiscrub and then apply the cream. I used to see an improvement in 24 hours

 

[Goldenstar]

Clipping is a must
Wash with hibiscrub (well diluted )or malaseb
If you think there be mites ( is he stamping )use ivermectin lotion .
I would use flammazine to get on top of it and it may need steroid cream .
when I am just keeping on top of things I use sudocrem or udder cream .
my vet makes Up an antibiotic steroid cream that works well .

 

[PapaverFollis]

Thank you.
No indication of mites but something I read on a vet practice website suggested they are often a factor. Never seen him stamp though.

Currently being a Very Good Boy about having his feathers clipped off!

 

[SEL]

Thank you.
No indication of mites but something I read on a vet practice website suggested they are often a factor. Never seen him stamp though.

Currently being a Very Good Boy about having his feathers clipped off!

In my experience of owning feathery types once you get the feathers off it gets a lot better quickly. I do treat for mites as well so my usual protocol;

- wash with antibacterial shampoo (pet shops for dogs)
- smother with ivermectin lotion to zap any mites
- after that bring in to let the legs dry off then plaster in udder cream

NAF mud away spray is pretty good too, but pricey

 

[PapaverFollis]

I'm amazed by how thick his feather is. It's pretty short and spikey but it's really dense. Clipped off using MrPF's hair trimmers. ? Not ideal but we got there in the end. Going to give them a wash and apply E45 for now. Then hitting Viovet for potions.

 

[AnShanDan]

Baby oil and cider vinegar works well on mud fever if it's not too bad. Just mix it in one of the bottles and apply daily. Oil softens skin and breaks down any scabs and keeps mud from sticking, vinegar changes the pH of the skin so the bacteria don't thrive.

 

[Northern Hare]

Hi PF! There are so many approaches to the dreaded MF, I guess because each horse reacts differently and has different circumstances.

Fwiw, my horse had it on and off for years. I remember reading on here some very useful advice, that you use different treatments to prevent MF to the treatments you use to treat MF once it appears.

Having tried all sorts, I found that what worked for my horse was an initial wash of dilute hibiscrub or Nizoral anti fungal shampoo. Wash off after five minutes and dry the legs.

Then apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly / Vaseline. Massage it in until it warms up a bit then you can start to ease off the scabs. Then using kitchen roll gently remove the excess Vaseline and scabs (don't wash again). Once clean I found Flamazine to be excellent, but as you don't have stabling then something thicker like an udder salve.

As your horse is out in the field, I found mud fever wraps to be excellent, but you do need more than one set to make sure you can change and clean them regularly. You can cover the legs with sheets of kitchen roll over any ointment before putting on the wraps to stop them getting too sticky inside! But they do really help keep the mud off the legs!

Also, once you're clear of the MF do a patch test first but pig oil spray is good at keeping the skin moisturised, which I felt was really important to prevent dry/cracked skin and further episodes!

 

[brightmount]

You’ve had loads of suggestions, and if your horse is coming in at night for the legs to dry off it’s easier as you can apply the barrier creams on dry skin, but a couple of years ago, both mine were living out in a bog, and they both got mud fever. What I found worked best, was to wash gently with hibi in warm water. Avoid rubbing off any scabs that might bleed, although it’s inevitable this might happen. Then apply manuka honey to the sores, followed by a thin layer of Filtabac. After that, slap on a thick layer of Sudocrem or Muddy Marvel as a barrier. The cream will also soften any scabs that didn’t come off with washing so they will lift easier next time. This combination cleared my horses mud fever within a few days; I just then kept a careful eye out and treated any recurrences the same way.

 

[Gloi]

Once it is cleared I like Keratex mud fever powder as a preventative

 

[Ownedby4horses]

OP, I'm battling this with my mare also currently after shes been in a muddy paddock at the livery yard (thankfully she's now home and we are on sandy soil so no mud here!). I've just used Muddy Buddy De Scab and it worked so well, washed legs with muddy buddy scrub, patted dry, applied to the scabs, left 5 minutes and washed with warm water. The scabs all came off with the warm water (i just poured buckets on and didnt rub). My mare didnt flinch, so its obviously not caused her any discomfort (she's the first to complain at the slightest discomfort.

https://www.nettexequine.com/products/muddy-marvel-de-scab/

I've just smothered with Leovet Silver Salve and vetwrapped to stop any of her wood pellet bedding getting in while it heals.

i've been treating for mites also as she has stomped a bit.

My mare managed to pull her Ergot off one night! ? so i'm battling that currently and its healing.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I'm feeling like a useless horse owner again. MrT has been hiding some mud fever under his feathers and I've missed it until it's got to the point of it being quite a bit of mud fever. How. I don't know. I think I'm just a bit thick sometimes. ?

Thing is I've never actually dealt with proper mud fever before. Just the odd scabby bit here and there. And never had one with as much feather as him (he hardly has any feathers for reference but has more than just tufty ankles). I kind of know what to do but it's not a concrete plan of action.

I've already washed with CD&M medicated shampoo. Then I put some NAF salve on which I don't think helped. I actually thought it wasn't so bad when I was washing it but today he was quite squinshy about having his legs picked up so I had another feel and there's more scabs than I thought. ? So....

1. Wash again.
2. Let dry.
3. Clip feathers off (assuming he's a good boy)
4. Put SOMETHING on.... I can't find my wound cream but I must have something that can go on for now.

I do have some Muddy Marvel Descab which I could use between 3 and 4?

5. Get SOMETHING to put on that will blimmin work to clear it up.
6. Treat for mites?? Not seen any evidence of mites but read something saying they can cause mud fever. Treatment for mites is obviously a whole other discussion.

7. If I'm not seeing improvement very soon I will speak to the vet.

I need suggestions for the SOMETHINGs, one that I've got laying around that I can put on tomorrow and two the best thing that's going to work that I can buy, probably over the Internet so not before Tuesday. The tack shop is also open tomorrow morning so could go on a mission but it's not got everything, very small place.

I'm feeling very upset and stupid. I feel like I know how to deal with mud fever but also am doubting myself because I've let him get mud fever in the first place and my number one method of dealing with mud fever is "don't get it in the first place". Which has worked for 11 years.

And yes I'm already worrying and fully catastrophising about underlying issues. Ordered some milk thistle already.

Sigh.

All help appreciated. Please discuss how useless I am behind my back rather than to my face though.

Lots of people say this is good for mud fever. https://www.amazon.co.uk/EcoHoof-Equine-Horse-Pink-Hoof/dp/B0711SGY8N

 

[Quigleyandme]

Don’t beat yourself up PF. My Dales was lame for the first and last time and it was my farrier who found the mud fever quite by chance under his feathers. It was the cause of the lameness and was so sore by this stage we couldn’t get near it and needed a vet to sedate him. It cleared up quickly though.

 

[PapaverFollis]

OP, I'm battling this with my mare also currently after shes been in a muddy paddock at the livery yard (thankfully she's now home and we are on sandy soil so no mud here!). I've just used Muddy Buddy De Scab and it worked so well, washed legs with muddy buddy scrub, patted dry, applied to the scabs, left 5 minutes and washed with warm water. The scabs all came off with the warm water (i just poured buckets on and didnt rub). My mare didnt flinch, so its obviously not caused her any discomfort (she's the first to complain at the slightest discomfort.

https://www.nettexequine.com/products/muddy-marvel-de-scab/

I've just smothered with Leovet Silver Salve and vetwrapped to stop any of her wood pellet bedding getting in while it heals.

i've been treating for mites also as she has stomped a bit.

My mare managed to pull her Ergot off one night! ? so i'm battling that currently and its healing.

I have some unused De-scab. Randomly. Can't think when I bought it, must have been for the old guy then never used it. I also found some Leovet Silver Ointment today so used that. I might try the De-scab followed by Silver Ointment tomorrow then. I was unsure as I didn't know if it would be harsh and sting.

He seems more comfortable today after clipping and getting stuff right onto the skin. Yesterday he was resting the worst leg a fair bit, like weighting it was cracking the scabs and hurting. He wasn't lame when moving but just looked off when standing still. Today he seemed more normal.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

I have some unused De-scab. Randomly. Can't think when I bought it, must have been for the old guy then never used it. I also found some Leovet Silver Ointment today so used that. I might try the De-scab followed by Silver Ointment tomorrow then. I was unsure as I didn't know if it would be harsh and sting.

He seems more comfortable today after clipping and getting stuff right onto the skin. Yesterday he was resting the worst leg a fair bit, like weighting it was cracking the scabs and hurting. He wasn't lame when moving but just looked off when standing still. Today he seemed more normal.

My mare didnt flinch when i put the silver ointment on, almost found it soothing it seemed (she happily rested her foot and let me apply it, whereas she would usually snatch her foot away) so I would suspect your boy will be ok.

My de-scab was from a while ago and partially used, I cut the top off the bottle with a knife as it didnt seem to want to squeeze much out and there was a fair good amount in the bottle, so if you think its run out, cut the top off as there's a lot left in after it seems to have run out.

You sound as though youre getting on top of it, don't beat yourself up about it, believe me I felt so awful I hadnt noticed and I could have cried when I saw her Ergot had gone and an angry red patch was left. No idea when it came off or how the hell she got it off (she is surprisingly bendy though!).

 

[Haphazardhacker]

My vet usually prescribes my girl flamazine but this time I tried muddy buddy magic kure cream. I hibiscrubbed then softened scabs and removed then plastered cream on and each evening cleaned it with just water and dried then plastered cream on. I felt terrible too but it happens. X

 

[PapaverFollis]

Waiting for delivery of Magic Kure. But have had him on the hardstanding during the day with E45, cling film and bandages on. Put oversized boots over the bandages to prevent unravelling. Then just wiped off the gunk and applied Leovet Silver Ointment for overnight. So far this seems to have worked pretty well. He still has some scabby patches but his "cankles" have definitely gone down and most of the scabs seem to have gone. Just the stubborn bits to clear up. He's been pretty good but doesn't like me touching the worst bits much.

 

[Haphazardhacker]

Ah, sounds like you are making progress. I went into the shop looking for the leovet silver ointment but they had none and I came out with the magic kure stuff as from what I understand our usual cure- flamazine with added steroids has silver in it so I was trying to avoid going too heavy handed and give a basic silver cream a go first. It’s been two weeks and it’s pretty much cleared up and nice pink skin and fresh hair growth.