Mud fever

[Cracker4]

Hello,
Our horse has swollen hind fetlocks, there is some scabs when you go deep in to the skin. The skin is red and inflamed, he is quite a lot of pain. What should we do?

 

[Izzwizz]

You may well need a Vet as your horse may have an infection which in turn could turn to cellulitis. May need antibiotics and bute. Would normally say wash the skin, dry thoroughly and try to get the scabs off but it sounds very painful..hence the bute. Keep off any mud in a dry environment. When its cleared up and turnout resumes use the Muddy Buddy powder or Keratex powder. Works wonders and has done for my horse. Trouble with "wet" mud barrier products is they can trap bacteria underneath providing a nice breeding ground.

Hope that helps.

 

[Cracker4]

We have had a very out, he is currently on antibiotics and bute. He is currently in the stable. His stable gets quite messy with we etc, I am wandering weather the wee is stinging his hind legs as he seems to be stamping them. He has pig oil on his legs, do you think we should do it put anything else on there? Thank you for your reply!

 

[be positive]

I don't think pig oil is the best thing to put on while the mud fever is active, it needs something to soothe and allow healing to start, I am surprised the vet didn't give you a cream as most vets have good prescription only treatments that work really well, sudocream or a specific mud fever cream would be far better to help get the scabs softened up, he will be stamping his legs while they are sore and this may continue as they start to heal.
Give him a deeper bed so he is not in contact with wet bedding, usually the deeper it is the easier it is to keep clean although it will cost more to get started and require you to much out several times a day to keep it really clean.

 

[Tnavas]

Do you have pictures?

I'd try washing his legs with Nizoral Shampoo - you can buy it at the chemist - its amazing for MudFever - dilute with hand hot water, work well into the affected area and beyond, leave 20 mins, then rinse. Usually find the mudfever goes within days. Often only had to wash once.