Mud fever
What is mud fever?
Pastern dermatitis primarily affects the pasterns and only rarely spreads higher up the legs. The causative agents can include various fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Mud fever appears similarly on the pasterns but can spread to the horse’s body, especially the flanks and upper legs. The main causative agent is generally Dermatophilus congolensis, a bacterium that thrives in oxygen-free conditions.
Causes of mud fever
Mud fever is a secondary infection with primary causative problem. These could be e.g. sun burned skin (white socks), over softened skin in wet weather and cuts. Mud fever results from situations where the skin immunity, the ability of skin to defend from external pathogens is reduced.
Veterinarian can best analyse the comprehensive clinical situation and define the right treatment.
How mud fever develop and progress?
In mud fever there is an overgrowth of microbes (such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses) on the skin and this can invade the skin tissue due to decreased skin condition. The causative microbe can be e.g. Dermatophilus congolensis, an anaerobic bacteria, meaning it thrives in environments without oxygen. In the worst case the bacteria invades into deeper skin tissue and the infection spreads from local to systemic. This can be seen in swelling and warmth, which can lead to cellulitis/lymphangitis.
When to consult a veterinarian?
Mud fever can be treated topically only as long as the infection remains topical.
If it spreads deeper into the tissues, vasculitis may develop as a secondary condition.
When topical treatment alone is not sufficient, ask your veterinarian to assess the need for further medical care.
The importance of scabs in treating pastern dermatitis and mud fever
Scabs are often seen in mud fever. These scabs are very infective and protects the causative microbe. These scabs are outside the blood circulation and thus not curable by systemic antimicrobic medication. Hence, the scabs require effective topical treatment.
Considerations when choosing treatment products
Please note that petroleum jelly and paraffin-based creams, as well as thick ointments containing waxes, may unintentionally create favourable conditions for anaerobic bacteria by trapping dirt and blocking the skin. Many bacteria that cause serious skin infections are anaerobic, meaning they thrive in environments without oxygen, like Dermatophilus congolensis.
Mud fever is often very painful for the horse and the treatment requires extra cautions and respect for the horses pain. If needed the treatment is started under sedation.
MUD FEVER TREATMENT
Below step by step instructions for use of SOLHEDS products
1. The affected area needs to be clipped in case of a very hairy horses. Veterinarian often does this under sedation. The target is to provide air to the skin and reduce the conditions for the anaerobic microbes.
2. Rinse all dirt and wet the affected area carefully.
3. Apply Derma1 skin care shampoo carefully on affected area.
4. Leave Derma1 shampoo for at least 5 minutes. Longer leave in time enhances the efficacy. You can leave Derma1 Shampoo on the scabbed area to soften the scabs — even during riding. Derma1 Shampoo absorbs well into the scabs and can reach and act beneath them.
5. Rinse the shampoo while very carefully trying to loosen the scabs by massaging the area. Only remove scabs which detach easily. Too aggressive tearing of the scabs only makes the situation worse.
6. Dry the area carefully with clean towel. Apply Derma5 Germ Fighting Cream on dry skin. Apply the cream carefully on scabs and on surrounding skin. Derma 13 zinc solution cream is optimal choice for infections with excudate or when managing skin fold infections or mud fever without scabs. Both creams absorb well — even into existing scabs — allowing them to reach and act on pathogens beneath the scabs.
7. Repeat the treatment daily or preferably twice a day if possible. You can skip washing e.g. to once daily, if the conditions make it difficult to wash or dry the skin, as long as you can clean the area properly before applying the cream. Derma5 or Derma13 cream also help soften scabs and make them easier to remove.
Please note that the scab is highly infective and need to be disposed carefully. The treated area will gradually become smaller each day. For additional help in softening the scabs, gently massage Derma10 Heel Balm over them at the end of the treatment. The water-free Derma10 also protects the skin from moisture.
8. Continue this until the scabs are worn out and until the infection has healed. After the scabs are detached continue the treatment for 2 days. Derma2 calming serum provides therapy for reconditioning of the skin after injury and renewal of hair growth. Derma2 Serum strengthens the skin barrier.
9. Monitor the affected areas carefully and start the treatment early, before extensive scabs. Treatment of mud fever can take several weeks, especially under harsh conditions, such as continuous rain, when the legs cannot be kept dry.
NB. Treatment of a horse’s mud fever should not be interrupted too early, as it could worsen the infection and make the microbes resistant to antimicrobic treatment. Mixing or using various products only few days to treat the infection can have similar effect, which could require eventually stronger antimicrobial treatment.
There are several types of pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that can cause mud fever, so no single product is effective against all possible pathogens. Derma1 Skin Care Shampoo and Derma5 Germ Fighting Cream are broad-spectrum antimicrobial products that are effective against the most common causes of skin infections.
Mud fever can develop into a chronic problem. It can also spread e.g. from pastern to body. Local infections are treated topically and systemic infections with systemic medication.
Best treatment for the disease is to understand and avoid the primary problem. It is important to keep the legs clean and dry.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important. Check the risk areas regularly during daily care of your horse.
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TIPS FOR PREVENTING MUD FEVER
If the mud fever problem recurs every autumn, it is important to consider the underlying cause that triggers the infection. In horses with white socks, the cause may be sunburned skin. In this case, the pastern should be protected from UV radiation in good time during the summer to prevent sunburn. Derma7 Soothing Sun Shield (SPF over +40) is water-resistant and provides long-lasting protection against the sun’s UV rays.
If the cause is muddy paddocks, the skin’s natural resistance can be supported by strengthening the skin of pasterns with Derma2 Calming Serum. Treatment should be started well in advance of wet, muddy conditions. Additional protection against moisture can be provided by applying the water-free Derma10 Heel Balm. Derma10 does not block the skin or create anaerobic conditions.
If the horse’s mud fever is caused by allergy-sensitive skin, the allergen should be identified and avoided wherever possible. If this is not feasible, the skin’s natural resistance can be supported with Derma2 Serum.