|
Clinical signs: Sores are
usually found on the lower legs, especially
at the back of the pastern. One or more legs
may be affected. Horses vary in the severity
of signs seen, such as:-
· Matted areas of hair containing crusty
scabs
· Reddened skin (if you clip hair away,
much larger area affected than you first think)
· Small, circular, ulcerated, moist lesions
some with scabs
· May be some ooze or discharge varying
from orange watery goo to thick green/yellow
pus – sometimes incredibly sticky and
difficult to remove
· Scabs may remove hair in small clumps
· Deep cracks (often horizontal) in the
skin
· Eventual hair loss leaving raw-looking
areas which may bleed
· Sometimes legs are very swollen
· Some are extremely painful and others
only slightly sore
· Possible lameness +/- heat
Rain Scald is caused by the
same bacteria as mud fever and develops for
the same reasons. It is the name given to the
condition when it occurs on the body. Lesions
are typically seen on the neck, back, flanks
and rump.
Treatment: Keeping the skin
clean and dry is the basis of treating the condition.
This may only be achievable if the horse is
removed from the wet and mud and kept stabled
for some time. Treatment has to reach the causal
organisms (bacteria) under the scabs, so these
must be lifted and removed at the start.
· Softening the scabs to aid their removal
is beneficial, e.g., cream may be applied and
left to soak in for a few hours. Some of the
tougher scabs may need soaking or poulticing
first to soften them, before they can be peeled
away.
· Once the scabs are softened the hair
should be clipped away and then the area should
be washed - using either a mild disinfectant
such as dilute chlorhexidine (hibiscrub) or
pov-iodine wash or even better a medicated shampoo
such as Allermyl and then rinsed well. Make
sure you clip enough away to show a ‘halo’
of normal skin, which helps prevent spread under
the hair.
· Drying the limb thoroughly is vital
before applying any creams - it is important
not to rub the skin and cause further trauma
whilst drying, so dabbing with (paper) towel
is a good option. Once dry, there are numerous
creams, lotions and emollients that may help.
Likewise, bandaging an affected limb can be
a good way of keeping it clean and dry, but
only if the skin has been properly dealt with
beforehand, and the correct bandaging technique
is used. Bandaging that is too tight or has
moisture trapped underneath can allow an infection
to flare up again. This whole process may need
to be repeated several times, and in bad cases
a full recovery can take many weeks. The use
of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories will
depend on the individual case. In general, they
are of secondary importance to correct management.
While most cases can be resolved, some have
a tendency to recur. Management changes to help
prevent any further problems are worth pursuing.
It is sensible for all tack, grooming brushes,
boots etc that have been in contact with infected
skin to be disinfected. If the legs are very
painful, painkillers will be necessary and there
may be a secondary infection with other bacteria
which will require more specific antibiotic
cream applications and / or antibiotics by injection
or added to feed.
Prevention:
· Ensure bedding is clean, dry and non-irritant
at all times
· Avoid over-washing and/or too vigorous
grooming
· If bandaging, ensure limbs are clean
and dry first
· Consider topical barrier creams (usually
produced in an oily base) such as tea tree oil,
sulphur, zinc & castor oil, aloe vera, honey
with vitamin E, dermisol cream, filta-bac, udder
cream or petroleum jelly. Use on clean, dry
legs or underside of belly prior to turnout
or exercise
· Try using breathable waterproof leg
wraps for turnout eg Equiwraps
· Consider nutritional supplements for
promoting a healthy skin, such as soya/cod liver
oils, seaweed (not for pregnant mares), zinc
(biometh Z), antioxidants, camomile or yarrow.
· Rotate paddocks to avoid poaching
· Avoid riding in abrasive surfaces sach
as crag or sand if your horse is prone to skin
problems
· Use electric fencing to block off muddy
areas around gates
· Be vigilant. The sooner you spot the
first tell-tale signs of mud fever, the quicker
you can take action and so prevent a lengthy,
and costly, recovery
· Accept that some horses will require
constant treatment
· Dispose of hair or scabs removed from
infected horses.
· Prevention techniques that work well
for one horse may not work in another horse
so it is a case of finding what suits your horse.
This article has been kindly provided by
Mudguard,
HELEN WHITBREAD BVETMED CERTVR MRCVS
DEBEN VALLEY EQUINE VETERINARY CLINIC
BIRDS LANE
FRAMSDEN
SUFFOLK
IP14 6HR 07766 543 526
|
