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AUTUMN 2015 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
4
If left untreated, secondary infections can
occur leading to a raw, inflamed, painful
limb
1. Removal of scabs
This can be easier said than done with some
horses! The scabs that form in a case of mud
fever can be very tightly adhered to the
underlying skin making it challenging to
remove them without objections. Soaking
the affected areas can help to soften the
scabs and therefore aid removal. Using an
antibacterial shampoo in combination with
warm water and leaving for around 10-20
minutes for this soaking process should be
sufficient in most cases. In those cases where
it is still too difficult to remove the scabs,
covering with an emollient cream and leaving
for a few hours can be beneficial.
2. Cleaning the affected
area
Once the scabs have been removed the skin
should be bathed with an antibacterial
solution; a chlorhexidine based product
would be appropriate. Cotton wool or
something similar that is disposable should
be used, and not an old sponge that is used
day to day for various different purposes. It is
recommended to leave the solution on the
skin for around 10 minutes to allow sufficient
contact time for the chlorhexidine to work.
This stage of treatment is important for
reducing the bacterial load and preventing
continued reinfection.
3. Rinse
Rinsing after the contact time is necessary to
remove excess shampoo before drying.
4. Dry thoroughly
Drying is a critical stage. It is imperative that
if the limb is washed it is dried thoroughly
afterwards as leaving a damp environment
will aid disease progression and hinder
healing. The best way to dry the limb will
depend on facilities available and the
temperament of your horse. If it is safe to
do so then using a hair dryer on a cool
setting is very effective, though it should be
highlighted to be careful when using
electrical equipment around horses, and
around water; therefore the temperament of
the horse will be a large factor in whether or
not this method is suitable. Alternatively, rubbing
dry with a clean towel or disposable towel,
and/or applying quick dry wraps can work.
5. Clipping
At this stage, when the legs are clean and
dry, it is a good opportunity for clipping
around the affected areas. Clipping is
helpful for a number of reasons: firstly it
makes it much easier to apply topical creams
in contact with the lesions, secondly it makes
drying of the limb much easier following any
subsequent washes, and finally it enables
better assessment of response to treatment
and identification of new lesions.
6. Application of
antibacterial cream
There are numerous different commercial
creams and ointments available for treatment
of mud fever and it can be a minefield
when trying to decide as an owner which
is best to buy. It should be noted that the
barrier cream used in an attempt to prevent
development of mud fever is not an
appropriate cream to use for treatment of
active lesions. A cream containing an
appropriate antimicrobial should be applied
to the lesions twice daily; it is helpful if the
cream has a thick/sticky consistency as it
will stay where it is applied and not run
down the foot. It is best to consult your
veterinary surgeon to discuss the right cream
for your horse.
The above cycle of events will need to be
repeated numerous times until full resolution
occurs. Initially it is necessary to repeat
washes with antibacterial shampoo as new
scabs are removed, however when there are
no fresh scabs present the washing stage
can be left out and the cream reapplied.
7. Prevention
As the old saying goes ‘prevention is better
than cure’, so how do you avoid cases of
mud fever
?
There are numerous different
ways to minimise the chance of developing
mud fever, but the underlying theme in all
approaches is keeping the legs as dry as
possible. Despite everyone’s best efforts
fields get poached in the winter and horses
inevitably end up standing in muddy fields
and walking along muddy tracks. Rotation
of paddocks and using electric fencing to
section off muddy areas of the field can be
helpful, but given the climate we live in it
would be a miracle to come through the
winter without having experienced any mud!
It can be very tempting therefore to wash
your horse’s legs every time you bring them
in. However, over-washing softens the skin
barrier, making damage more likely, and
each time you wash you are re-establishing
the damp environment that the bacteria
thrive in.
Mud fever is a condition that will always
plague some horses. That said, early
detection and prompt treatment should
make it self-limiting and allow you to
continue your normal activities throughout
the winter period.
After removal of scabs the skin is often red,
inflamed and in some cases will bleed
MU D F E V E R