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Post by horsewizard on Sept 23, 2014 14:44:35 GMT -5
Hi, this is the first time I've ever had to deal with Mud Fever with my mare. She has some open sores/cuts on her right hind leg/pastern area that are quite sensitive. She initially had a little swelling and heat but that has gone away. I've read so many different treatments online but I'd be interested in hearing what has worked for other owners. Currently I am washing the area with warm water, not taking the scabs off (I think this would be way too painful for her) and used Furacin ointment. My BO also has tea tree oil that she said I could use but I'm not sure of the proper application for that or if it would work?
Any suggestions would be great, thanks!
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Post by jealoushe on Sept 23, 2014 15:08:21 GMT -5
Is she able to kept in at least some of the time? Washing once a day, staying out of the mud is number one priority.
I have had the best luck with coconut oil, slathered on twice a day. Honey also works. It takes a long time to battle, but a nice clean dry spot to heal is the most important.
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prospect
Greenie
http://www.prospectequinefarms.com/hayfeeders.htm - home of the ultimate horse hay feeders
Posts: 44 
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Post by prospect on Sept 23, 2014 15:09:36 GMT -5
I have dealt with this many many times. Struggled for 6 months with one horse as nothing seemed to work including the vet formula. If it is really bad I wash with diluted iodine once only. Then apply fiskes wound cream daily until it's gone.
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Post by Zero2Hero on Sept 23, 2014 15:16:28 GMT -5
I've heard a lot of people have great success with using a zinc based cream (baby rash cream or zincoderm)- the higher the zinc the better. You just clean the legs really well and then cover the affected area with the cream. Creams with a high zinc content stick and stay on the leg, so it keeps the mud off and kills the remaining bacteria, most people tell me to leave it on until it flakes off on it's own.
I've personally have picked the scabs and then used hibitane cream to cover the spots. Pretty much the same idea as the zinc based cream.
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Post by bxrgurl on Sept 23, 2014 20:46:58 GMT -5
A tube of Polysporin mixed with a tube of Tinactin (athlete's foot ointment). The trouble is not knowing whether it is bacterial or fungal. If you use both, it hits both.
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Post by cloudnine on Sept 24, 2014 10:55:14 GMT -5
I have had success with either Tinactin or Special Formula.
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Post by midnightdream on Sept 24, 2014 12:03:37 GMT -5
I've had luck with cleaning it up and using Special Formula or zinc cream on it, depends on what I have on hand at the time. Only downside of Special Formula is that you have to get it from your vet so may be a bit more costly/ a pain to get ahold of.
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czf
Greenie
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Post by czf on Sept 25, 2014 7:16:20 GMT -5
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Post by littlecreek on Oct 13, 2014 14:52:40 GMT -5
Virkon, which is inexpensive ($5 a packet) and readily available at most feed and tack stores, is great. Mix it with clean water on a 4 litre jug.Spray it onto cleaned area, work in with your fingers. It smells a bit bleachy but doesn't seem to sting or anything. Let it dry a bit then top with Special Formula. Seems to clear it up in jig time.
I also agree with letting them stay in if its bad- Harry The Horse spent a goodly part of the winter one year after his third go round with it turning into Lymphangitis and needing expensive antibiotics.
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bd
Greenie
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Post by bd on Oct 14, 2014 9:52:25 GMT -5
Has anybody tried just penicillin rather than special formula ... be a fair bit cheaper ... I haven't seen much mud fever but have used a couple CC's of penicillin straight out of the bottle squirted in to runny eyes on cattle to effectively resolve issues.
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Post by Barncat on Oct 14, 2014 14:56:03 GMT -5
Has anybody tried just penicillin rather than special formula ... be a fair bit cheaper ... I haven't seen much mud fever but have used a couple CC's of penicillin straight out of the bottle squirted in to runny eyes on cattle to effectively resolve issues. The problem with the straight penicillin is that mud fever can be bacterial, fungal or both. If it was just the bacterial type, the penicillin might work but if fungal, nope! The Virkon is by far the least expensive treatment as it is effective against both bacteria and fungi, and if you also use something else such as Special Formula (also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal) or other cream that will provide a moisture barrier as well as anti-infection and inflammation treatment, then you'll be a lot further along. |
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bd
Greenie
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Post by bd on Oct 14, 2014 15:18:03 GMT -5
I guess I was thinking of it as a replacement for the special formula, as the bactericide in whatever concoction you stir up ... you're saying there is an anti fungal aspect to the SF on it's own ?
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Post by buxtonequestrian on Oct 21, 2014 19:36:35 GMT -5
Best not to wash the legs often, as they need to stay dry. Letting the mud dry and brushing it off is best. Of course keeping them out of mud in the first place is even better. Keep the hair on their legs short as well.
I've had best luck with Special Formula or a cream my vet makes up on bad cases. It really just depends on the case what you use: diaper rash cream, MTG, anti-fungal sprays. Kind of have to try them all and figure out what works best for your horse!
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Post by claremontstreet on Oct 24, 2014 9:48:26 GMT -5
Special formula worked wonders for my guy! I didn't find it too costly just a pain to get it from the vet but I've stocked up for future problems! I did pick the scabs off and although it was unpleasant for him it allowed the air to dry things out and allowed the meds to absorb more affectively. Keep on it or it'll just escalate!
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czf
Greenie
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Post by czf on Oct 29, 2014 6:33:11 GMT -5
You're not supposed to pick at the scabs, just gently wipe
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