mud fever that won't heal

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showqa

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Hi all - a mare I bought recently had it on all four. i've got three legs clear and now she's wearing equichaps on those, but there's a patch on one of her front legs that just refuses to heal.

I'm cleaning it with a Hibiscrub wash when she comes in, picking any new scabs, drying the leg well and then smothering the affected area in an anti-bacterial that I had from the vet. Now the original patch is doing ok and the hair is growing back over it, but it seems to have spread a bit. I can't cover it until it's healed, but on the other hand how do I keep it clean??? My fields are not particularly wet, but she will insist on standing in the one and only slightly muddy area by the fence! She comes up the barn at night and so has a shavings bed within and hardcore yard without, hence no mud there. Thankfully she isn't lame with it but it is clearly very tender to touch. Any ideas please??? Thanks.
 
i am no expert, but zinc and castor oil cream (88p from wilkinsons) is a good mud guard, and I also feed Naf mudguard, and it really works, my horse is in alot of mud now and its fine. Its about £36 a tub, but it has now saved me extra vet bills! good luck xx
 
Barrier creams work well for us now my pony has finally got over his (choose one with zinc oxide in) - but only for keeping it out. If you're hibiscrubbing make sure that the legs are completely dry after, as it doesn't need to be muddy to get mud fever - my lad got it in the bloody summer - and also leave the hibiscrub on for ten minutes if you're not already doing so before washing off in order to kill the bacteria.

If you still can't get rid try using a poultice or loosely wrapping the legs in clingfilm, then putting gamgee on under a stable bandage; leaving for 48hours, changing the dressing everyday.

Failing all this we used tubes from the vet; for cows with mastitus we put it on the scab, bandaged, left, and then picked the scabs off the next day.

Good luck, PM me for more information if needed :)
 
I know I sound like a broken record with these threads... try HOMEOPATHY!!!

PLUS - you need to supplement the skin as well as help it heal.
 
Presumably then I'd have to keep her in if she was stable bandaged (just thinking that would absorb water if she was out in it). Perhaps I need to leave the Hibiscrub on for longer - only been leaving it on for a few minutes.

Thanks!
 
I really rate the muddy marvel stuff. I have this kit, it cleared the mud fever up and I use the barrier cream to stop it coming back again. My mare hasn't had mud fever for three winters now. :) (I do get through alot of barrier cream though!)

MuddyMarvelPack.JPG
 
Another broken record here, try to cut out processed feed, too much cereal and specially molasses will not help your cause. A supplement with Vit B might help.
I've found Emulsifying Ointment BP the best for Mud rash.
 
I'm no expert with mud fever, but my boy had it bad. All i did was wash any excess mud off, roughly dry it and cover in in sudocrem. It took a good 3 weeks to clear up completely, but i was told the last thing i should do is pick the scabs off.
 
Kirsty Lou, I know there tend to be two camps re: mud fever - to pick or not to pick!!! I've just done what I've always done and it has worked over the years, but perhaps I need to rethink on this occasion.
 
My horse always gets it, but I kept him in the dry and mud free all last winter then one weekend we did a xc at Firle Place - he had to go through some muddy water (twice) - hey presto - he got mud fever :mad:

I had to get the vet to give him anti-biotics as he had it so bad on one of his legs that it swelled up, all puffy and sore, it wouldn't go away even after keeping it dry.

It was so bad he couldn't bend the joint of his leg and was lame/sore.

After the anti-biotics he got better in a couple of weeks - thank goodness.

We are not going to Firle this year :rolleyes:
 
Stop washing it, you are weakening the skin and no matter how dilute Hibiscrub you use, it is too harsh for regular use, it strips out all the healthy bacteria as well as the bad.
Plaster it with something like Zinc & castor oil, Protocon, Sudacrem or similar then as you massage it in, some of the scabs will loosen, Don't pull them off before they are ready, you'll make horse sore.
Also make sure the horse is well on the inside as well as the outside; health comes from within so a healthy diet is essential.
 
I'm a fan of the muddy marvel stuff, but you can cut out the anti bacteral step and use hibiscrub.

We have two that get mud rash quite bad. Over the last few years we have learnt a system to minimise it, and prevent it getting really bad - as you say, its a case of finding what works for the particular horse.

I think that you DO have to get the scabs off as gently as poss - the first step of the muddy marvel (descab lotion) does it very gently, and they don't seem to mind at all, even when its really bad. If the scabs are left on they seem to spread and it goes on and on. Sometimes you need antibiotics to clear it up if its really stubborn. Also, at this point, I would be keeping her in 24/7 for a week or two to let the legs get really clean, dry and healthy again - once the scabs are off, the skin is not great, and needs time to "waterproof" itself and get better, for want of a better explanation! You need to avoid wet bridleways/fields when riding too at this stage.

I'd be interested in the views of those that use the homeopathic route...

My mare is a hippo too - stands in the muddiest part of the field, and so we have to elec fence off those bits to keep her on the dry bits.

Good luck! Its not fun is it.x
 
hibiscrub and mudfever... hmmmmm ..... lets have a think....

So you got a skin condition that is caused by lack of natural oils so you hibiscrub it (hibiscrub is chlorhexidine - strips oil, skin cells and sebaceous glands to sterilise an area).

Then you put on unnatural oils back on to the scabs and use suphur of all things which is like pouring acid onto your wound. Imagine salt. No wonder horse is in pain. Then you rub pig oil into it.

I mean what has it got to hang on to? It'll just slide off.

The reason why some topicals work better than others is because some heal better but you have to ask the question - is the skin integrity enough to cope with bacterial infections?

It's impetigo... but on horses!

The worst is poultice and keep in for a month and sort out your feed!!!
 
Hibiscrub worked well for me; diluted 40:1 and left on for 10 - 15 mins. I kept the horse in while the MF healed as well. Put fuciderm on affected areas, and only picked off scabs that were relatively loose after the hibiscrubbing. The MF was completely gone within a week fwiw. Also really rate the muddy marvel barrier cream for prevention. :)
 
Mmmmm So heres a question... How would you help mud fever in a horse that lives out and didn't have his legs washed...ever... No option of bringing in... There was no "in"

In this instance anti b cream...

Previously I had treated same horse (quick onset and raging mf) with (horrors) washing, NEAT hibi and Zinc Oxide cream. Before I get shot down: Leave hibi on for about 10 mins, rub in well and get scabs off as much as you can. Dry well and apply cream. This should help to moisten scabs over night. Repeat in the morning. That would heal the MF fairly quickly. Not ideal, I agree, but it works. This was following advice from a few vets BTW.

I would stay away from field chaps. IME they cause more trouble than they are worth. Everytime I put these on my lad he got MF!

I would also go down the homeopathic / herbal route. You need to support the horses immune system and skin. Calendula cream (marigold) is fabulous for sores. It can also be fed (herb not cream! :D) Rosehip, seaweed, milk thistle... all great cleansing and support herbs.
 
Hibiscrub - of course diluted - is what our vet reccomended. It worked!

Of course you want the skin in good condition. That won't totally prevent it. Mudrash comes from bacteria in the mud - all it takes is a slight graze and saturated fields that causes the skin to soften and become weak, and they get it. Some horses are more prone to it than others. Some of ours get it more severely, others get it a tiny bit, and it goes quickly. I find it pretty sad when people criticise people's management automatically when it comes to mudrash - its not. We never had mudrash at all until we bought a horse that was starting with mudrash (before the scabs), and it went out in the fields. From what our vets say, once its there its there, and some horses will be more prone to it.

I'm always interested in everyone's ways of dealing with it. I don't always agree with all of them, but I read. I don't understand why people have to be so sarcastic/ scathing. Perhaps they just don't realise that they are coming across as a bit pompous. Give your opinion, but try and do it nicely!
 
I washed my mares legs with diluted hibi-scrub removed any loose scabs, rinsed well, dried & then applied a LOT of sudacream. Did the trick. Camrosa cream is also meant to be excellent, though I've not tried it & I've heard good things about udder cream as a barrier. Good luck :)
 
My friends horse has been bad with mud fever for months now and she's tried everything. She was on antibiotics for weeks and weeks and steroids as well and it still hasnt cleared. The horse doesnt go out when its wet and is looked after impeccably. The vet has now decided its time to stop all treatment and see what happens, as long as the horse doesnt go lame or her legs start fill. Its a case of watch this space now!

Its interesting reading the comments about feed making a difference. Can someone explain further then I can pass this on to my friend.
 
Crazyfriesian said:
I would also go down the homeopathic / herbal route. You need to support the horses immune system and skin. Calendula cream (marigold) is fabulous for sores. It can also be fed (herb not cream! :D) Rosehip, seaweed, milk thistle... all great cleansing and support herbs.
Click to expand...

Andalusianlover said:
Its interesting reading the comments about feed making a difference. Can someone explain further then I can pass this on to my friend.
Click to expand...

As crazyfriesian but also the following may help...
Borage
Dandelion
Rosemary
Kelp (seaweed)
Nettle
Echinacea strengthens the immune system too.

It's about feeding minerals as wet skin needs to be strong and be able to produce lots of natural oil.

Homeopathy:

Calc Carb 30c x3 3x daily for three days.

Then:

Rhus tox 30c the same as above.

you should have smooth pink skin by now.

Then petroleum 30c as above.

Hair should be growing back.

I've tried this on three horses so far. Same result in two weeks.

Good luck!

I would say this, ABs and steriods cause problems elsewhere and a it is a vets duty to offer treatment whether it be beneficial for the horse overall.

google homeopathy for horses - plenty of help!
 
I'm with Faracat, the Muddy Marvel stuff is excellent and the only thing that has worked on mine and a few others on the yard, after trying lots!

I personally find that Hibiscrub is too harsh so I wash with medicated shampoo/soap first, but the important thing is not to overwash. Dermoline do a medicated horse shampoo or just get a bar of medicated soap from superdrug and use that.

Im my experience, you have to get the scabs off, and that's the bit where the de-scab comes into its own, leave it on for 5 mins and then rinse off, it's really simple.

Mine did have a scab that wouldn't heal, but with time and effort, it's now all clear.

I know everyone has their own thoughts, but that's what worked for me :)
 
Stop washing and cover daily with something like udder salve or good old fashioned sudo creme.

Do keep removing the scabs (when they're soft enough, don't force them).

If it won't clear - you'll probably need some oral anti bioitics.
 
tallyho! said:
As crazyfriesian but also the following may help...
Borage
Dandelion
Rosemary
Kelp (seaweed)
Nettle
Echinacea strengthens the immune system too.

It's about feeding minerals as wet skin needs to be strong and be able to produce lots of natural oil.

Homeopathy:

Calc Carb 30c x3 3x daily for three days.

Then:

Rhus tox 30c the same as above.

you should have smooth pink skin by now.

Then petroleum 30c as above.

Hair should be growing back.

I've tried this on three horses so far. Same result in two weeks.

Good luck!

I would say this, ABs and steriods cause problems elsewhere and a it is a vets duty to offer treatment whether it be beneficial for the horse overall.

google homeopathy for horses - plenty of help!
Click to expand...

www.helios.co.uk

and i agree with tallyho
 
I have diluted the Hibiscrub well and then washed the leg with clear water. Only once a day have I washed it. Likewise, I've dried it well and softly so as not to aggravate the skin further.

So, how long is too long for it to be healing? This stubborn patch (all her other legs are now clear), has been around for three weeks now. This morning I noticed that it was quite warm again, whereas it had completely cooled down.

There's no swelling and no lameness.

When I first had the mare she was in poor condition nutritionally, but I have to say she looks a different horse now so I think her diet must be doing her well. Admittedly, the herbal support that you mentioned I hadn't considered before, but as I'm not knowledgeable about homeopathy I'm wary of hitting her with stuff that I don't fully understand. For example, in what forms do you but these herbs? How often do you administer? Forever or just during the healing process? Thanks all.
 
showqa said:
When I first had the mare she was in poor condition nutritionally, but I have to say she looks a different horse now so I think her diet must be doing her well. Admittedly, the herbal support that you mentioned I hadn't considered before, but as I'm not knowledgeable about homeopathy I'm wary of hitting her with stuff that I don't fully understand. For example, in what forms do you but these herbs? How often do you administer? Forever or just during the healing process? Thanks all.
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Why don't you ring Ainsworths or Helios (thanks nativeponies:))? It's been used for thousands of years. Your horse sounds like he's lacking something inside to be going on with MF for so long!

It's really easy, I've spelt it out for you above and the people at Ainsworths are trained equine homeopaths.

I would say with herbs, you only need a teaspoon full of dried variety in the feed. Or if you buy tinctures of them (easily bought in chemist as are remedies) then 10 drops in the water is enough.

Horses naturally seek herbs but as they are not readily available in the average acre-paddock, we have to give them a helping hand.

It seems many have had success with topicals but I'm all for sorting out the internal issue aswell.

You've been hitting your mare with ABs and Steroids without a question asked, why are you reluctant to try something natural?

http://www.equine-natural-health.co.uk/equine-homeopathy.htm

Here you can find a holistic vet near you, there are lots of them and they really care!
 
I had a broodmare living out that got it REALLY badly on her white socks. We did not have the option to bring in and we managed to shift it by using this hibiscrub-vaseline stuff. It is just like vaseline in consistency and you just slather it on to reasonably clean legs and it sticks well and acts like a barrier, but unlike Sudocrem etc the skin can still breathe. Found this better than anything else. We got it from the vet, not sure if you can buy it over the counter though
 
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