Would you call the vet

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ralph and maverick

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Got to the yard this morning and Ralphs back legs are filled and slightly warm, RI thinks mud fever as he has a couple of small scabs, so she advised to wash in hibiscrub, apply dermasel (sp?), cling film and bandage, leave him in but take him for in hand walks to keep him moving.
Just read some old posts about hibiscrub and am now quite confused as seems it can do more harm than good??
I just wanted to know weather the vet should be the first port of call or if the above would be ok.
Any thoughts gratefully received as I am confused and unsure about hibiscrub!
 
No harm in ringing the vet. My vet is very good and always rings back or comes straight on the phone to talk things through and then decide whether to just give some advice over the phone or come out.
 
I would probably wash and put on some barrier cream tbh. I wouldn't be putting cling film on my horses legs, I also wouldn't call the vet out on the first day, but a chat on the phone might be worth it. I use liquid paraffin which is lovely and thick and greasy liquid on my horses legs in the winter.
 
I wouldnt put cling film. What I'd do is wash in warm water gently with diluted hibiscrub,air dry, walk in hand and see how they are tomoz, unless of course, they get worse during the day, then vet. Hope feels better soon, they are such a worry sometimes.....
 
but barrier cream by it's very nature will keep the infection IN - and you want to get rid of it ,....

cling film will create a lovely warm environment for the bacteria to breed - you want air to the wound.
 
I would turnout unless the field is very muddy, the legs should go down with the movement, then clean up really well again this evening and try to loosen up the scabs before applying cream, they may take a few days to improve but getting the cream to the skin will help, do not keep using hibiscrub as it will stop the healing.
I would not use cling film, it will make the area even better for the bugs to multiply an ideal breeding ground.
If there is infection a vet will give antibiotics but often just getting the healing process started will be enough, legs will swell through slight inflammation and standing in so the more movement the better.
 
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Barrier cream is an excellent idea, but this might be a more useful when there is no heat or potential infection, as it is best used a preventative to prevent infection setting in initialy:). Pig oil and sulpher is useful as barrier cream when there is no signs of infection.
 
I personally wouldn't call the vet but if you are unsure then you should.

Cling film will be to get the scabby bits off as you can't get rid of it with them on. Muddy marvel remover does the same thing in a few minutes.
 
Hi thanks for all the replies, have just taken him for a walk down the lane and the swelling gone down quite a lot and now don't feel warm to the touch!
Have spoken to the vet and have been advised to wash in hibiscrub well diluted, no more than 2x a week, and for no barrier cream to be used untill healed (like you all said!), and obviously if it gets worse then call them out, thanks everyone feel much better now! :)
 
If you really think it may be the start of mudfever then wash the legs with Nizoral shampoo. It's really good for mudfever.

You can buy it from the chemist. Dilute with hand hot water and lather up well. Leave for 20 mins and you can either rinse or leave it. Towel dry if feather is heavy otherwise allow to dry.
 
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