Swelling caused by mud fever or standing in?

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sitting_pretty

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Hi all,

My ginger sport horse with white socks had a bout of scabby mud fever for the first time in his life earlier in the year. Called the vet and did the usual scab removal and cleaning and he stayed in for a few weeks until it had cleared up. One leg in particular was quite swollen still but this went down with exercise and he wasn't lame on it.

This past week we've had some sun (a miracle!) and so he's been out for a bit during the day again. His paddock isn't too muddy other than by the entrance but he doesn't hang around there.

Anyway, his hind leg is still swollen in the morning and I'm paranoid that this could still be an infection linked to the mud fever. Should I be turning him out? Or is the swelling just from standing in?

Any feedback appreciated, roll on summer!
 
yes mud fever can cause swelling. This happened to my horse when his "mud fever" got infected. However my horse has leukocytoclastic vasculitis which presents as mud fever (which I hope your horse hasn't got). Have all the crusts etc gone?
 
Yes, as far as I can see he doesn't have any scabby or crusty bits. He's not easy to treat as he's very suspicious and won't stand still, but this is nothing new!
 
If he is clear of scabs and it goes down with exercise or turnout then it is probably what I think of as the lymphatic system being sluggish following the original infection, it usually improves over a period of time and in a few weeks will go away completely.
 
With mudfever - the swelling is a result of removing the scabs - which aren't true scabs but lymph congealed around the hair - when removed they often pull the hair out by its roots causing the skin to break and infection to get in - it also hurts which is most likely why your horse is not so ken about having his legs studied.

Talk to your vet about a course of antibiotics in case there is infection in the leg.

If it were my horse I would wash well with Nizoral shampoo in case there is a sneaky bit of mudfever still around. Youcan buy it from the chemist - dilute with hand hot water and wash all his white with it, working well down to the skin. Leave for 20 mins then rinse.

Feed a good zinc and copper supplement ot help strengthen his skin.

As applecart14 says wrapping legs with stable bandages will help keep the swelling down. It's good that the leg goes down once her gets to move around.
 
How often do you suggest washing with the nizoral? I might try this to see if it helps with my horses LV, i'm bracing myself for the impending flare up in the summer.
 
mightymammoth said:
How often do you suggest washing with the nizoral? I might try this to see if it helps with my horses LV, i'm bracing myself for the impending flare up in the summer.
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Wash now to get anything that may be there - then keep an eye out for tiny clumps of hair no longer lying flat - this is the very first sign - the lymph oozes through the skin and clumps hair together- when you see even just one clump - wash the whole white area.

If your horse flares up in summer have a look at all the foods you are feeding - remove EVERYTHING that contains even a small amount of legume plant- Lucerne (Alfalfa), Clover, Peas, Beans - as these are responsible for the setting off the photosensitisation. Even check the amount of clover growing in your paddocks.
 
Thanks this is helpful, it's only these past 2 years it has been pretty bad and we also have a lot of clover, since we've been in the wet and warm south west it's got so much worse although we will be on the move soon and he'll be off livery if all goes well so I can have more control of his environment. LV is a horrible condition but he's also borderline cushings and has seasonal Recurrent Airway Obstruction spring/summer is the worst time of year for him.
 
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