Mud Fever And Rain Scald
Written by: Moira Clune
What is it?
Mud fever is an equine skin condition usually associated with wet and muddy conditions. This condition is also called scratches or dew poisoning, pastern dermatitis, grease heel, or greasy heel.
Rain Scald is the name given to the same condition when seen on the body, head and neck areas of your horse.
What are the symptoms?
Signs vary, but usually the skin of the legs and the stomach become inflamed and scaly and, in severe cases, the horse may develop a high temperature or fever. Learn how to take your horse's temperature here.
The skin may crack and weep with pus. The hair falls out in small patches and hard scabs form. Bacteria thrive beneath these scabs, and so gentle removal is an important part of the treatment process. Horses may stamp their feet in response to the pain. In severe cases, sores may cover the entire leg and produce lameness.
Mud fever affects most horses and ponies during winter and early spring. It results in painful sores and scabs, which in severe cases can make a horse lame. It most commonly affects the pastern and heel area but can also affect the upper leg, the belly, and in some cases the neck area (Rain Scald). Non-pigmented skin tends to be more severely affected.
Where does it come from?
Mud fever is principally caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus Congolensis which penetrates the damaged or mud or water-softened skin. This germ is widespread and can survive in soil, infect scabs and items of tack, brushes, rugs, boots and stable walls.
Mud fever can so be caused by fungal organisms. Photosensitization, chorioptic mange mites, contact dermatitis and other conditions also contribute to some cases.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosing this problem is often based on appearance and history. Cultures for bacteria and fungi can also be performed. Vets can confirm the diagnosis using special stains and a microscope.
How is it treated?
Keeping the horse out of the wet and mud is the first step in treatment of mud fever. Initial treatment also consists of clipping of the hair away from the infected area and use of an anti-bacterial lotion on the scabs to soften them and gently remove them. When the scabs are removed, the skin is kept clean and dry. Disinfect or dispose of all items that have come in contact. The microorganisms are long lived and contagious.
How is it prevented?
Always ensure that the legs are cleaned well after work or time in the field. Either wash off and then ensure that the legs are properly dried or leave the mud to dry and then brush it off with a soft brush. If the horse has clipped legs, it is a good idea to apply a barrier cream to prevent the skin from becoming water logged.
Control mud in the paddocks. If possible, rotate paddocks to keep horses from standing in wet, muddy ground. Electric horse fencing can be used to re-route horses through high traffic areas and manage pasture mud.
Barrier creams provide an anti-bacterial, waterproof barrier against further infection.
Leg wraps keep the lower legs dry in horses in grass, but they are not designed for deep mud.
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