Mud fever

[Janah]

My boy has mud fever, first time ever and he is 21 yrs old. I think due to lowered immune system.

He has quite big scabs which I can't get off. I have washed him from fetlock to hoof with dilute hibiscrub, rinsed off, dried thoroughly and applied Wondergel twice a day. This has been going on for several weeks. Not hibiscrubbing, only the wondergel. He has gone from swollen legs to normal. He is not lame and no secondary infection but no real improvement. I have kept him in other than for exercise, which I hate doing. The fields here are deep mud.

Help!

 

[ellie_e]

Are the scabs still there? If so, you need to get them off! Try soaking them in pig oil/vaseline then bandage over ngiht scabs should then come away easily.

 

[Maesfen]

I'm glad you're not washing them off every day like some folk.

I keep plastering on something like Protocon every day even over the old stuff. As you rub it in some of the scabs will start loosening automatically; don't pull at them let them roll off on their own; there will be healthy skin underneath. It will take a few weeks if he's plastered in MF so just have patience - and you will get beautifully soft hands yourself too as a bonus!
Have a look at his diet too, all health comes from within so if he has a good coat and skin you're halfway there; if he needs a bit of help brewers yeast is good for digestion, skin and hooves, it's pretty much an all round supplement at a reasonable price.

 

[Gusbear]

I've had the same problem. I bought my boy recently with a very swollen fetlock from mud fever and resulting lymphamgitis and his former owner said just bandage with leg and the swelling will go down with exercise. Yeah right!!
I got the vet out anyway and she advised that the germs live just under the scabs and cause an infection so the scabs need to come off pronto. I then the applied an antiseptic wash and steroid based barrier cream. He has also been on liquid based antibiotics in his feed and bingo, swelling, heat and soreness cleared up in a couple of days. Happy horse, happy owner!
I found the scabs came off better with warm water rather than cold and I simply kept bathing them until I could either very gently pull them away or scrub them off very gently with cotton pads. If that doesnt work then good old baby oil should get them soft enough to get them off.
Bandaging in the stable does help to keep the swelling down too. Best to use clippers to trim all the hair away from the affected area and then once those yucky scabs are well and truly wet then they should come away easily.
I've also found that garlic oil (get a couple of capsules from the pharmacy or health food shop), pierce them and add to his feed. They have always helped my horses whenever they have an infection, cough, cold, etc. Note that initially it lossens the mucus so don't be afraid if for the first week or so he has a runny nose or seems a bit 'snotty' but certainly helps in the long run and clears all the nasties from his system.