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Caro23
Gold Member
 United Kingdom
617 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 3:48:26 PM
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Help!! Dulciya has thrived being out 24/7 since November. She looks amazing if not a bit tubby due to lack of work and mentally she seems more chilled. But about a month ago despite barrier creams etc all four white socks developed mud fever on either side - nothign below her fetlocks.
My lovely field has good grazing but is so wet and very muddy. I have tried keeping Dulcie in her field shelter mud she stresses and won't eat or drink and I have no where to exercise her. So I have been using Camrosa as a final option and not brushing, washing or picking at her legs. Although her legs look awful where the scabs have naturally fallen off the skin is healthy and pink and hair is growing back but I noticed her front leg which has huge scabs on smells. There is no swelling or heat and she is eating etc but I am worried it's infected.
I really don't know what to do next?? I have even contemplated trying to find someone with a spare stable plus arena to rent take her to while it all clears up.
Do white socked horses ever cope in these awful conditions? Poor girl I just never seem to get things right for her. I am probably feeling guilty because I work all hours, I haven't ridden because I have no school and it's too wet and really she is being wasted.
Sorry to have a moan 
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Caro
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sasha
Gold Member
United Kingdom
518 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 4:09:50 PM
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If it was my horse, I would get her stabled as soon as you can,keep her out of the wet. Let the legs dry completely, then slather loads of hoof to heel or aromesse on the legs for 24 hours, then when the scabs are very soft, gently wipe the scabs off with kitchen towel.Assess the situation when the scabs drop off. You may get away with applying more creams, or if it is infected, get a course of antibiotics from your vet.
You will not cure it while she is wading about in mud. |
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 4:13:51 PM
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| I agree with Sasha--I'm afraid you will have to get her off the mud. I would also say if the leg smells I would get the vet out straight away. |
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alethea
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1526 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 5:12:27 PM
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I agree too. It sounds like she really needs to be stabled so that it can heal. If it smells it could well be infected and need antibiotics as if you dont treat it the infection can spread
Alethea
Aristotle Arabians |
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ACGODFREY
Silver Member
United Kingdom
440 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 8:38:20 PM
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Sorry to hear the mud fever has got so bad. Given that it smells, it's likely it's infected so you really need to get some antibiotics from the vet, and maybe some flamizine cream. If you could keep her in and out of the mud for a few days, it will really help clear it up.
Can also highly recommend NAF mudguard supplement. |
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tamila
Platinum Member
England
2532 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2010 : 08:19:19 AM
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Caroline I am so sorry about this. I saw Dulcie this morning peeping out of her stable looking very forlorn. Please give Roger Hatch a call on 01243 551766 as he does have some absolutely wonderful products for mud fever. He is probably one of the best equine nutritionists in Europe. Just tell him I told you to ring him.
You will probably also need some antibiotics for this. Pauline |
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Edited by - tamila on 03 Mar 2010 08:20:22 AM |
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zooscat
Gold Member
United Kingdom
882 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2010 : 12:33:19 PM
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Ryazan has had dreadful chronic mud fever on one of his two white legs this year - and our fields aren't that muddy! Vet recommended anti-biotics, anti-biotic wash and cream and Net Tex Muddy Marvel products - which have worked. But it has re-occured three times since Nov 09 and needed the same treatment each time; the first week being on box rest, out of the wet/mud, hacking/schooling with gamgee and boots on, so that affected leg didnt get wetand had a chance to begin to mend. Now using Keratex powder to keep leg dry when turned out. Vet checked him yesterday and said "very pleased" (also said he had no physical reason for being the very flighty chap he is at the moment, other than being very well and obviously feeling it!) So, it looks like keeping your mare in for a week or so, and having vet to see what is the the cause of the smelly leg is the best course to follow. Good luck - try not to stress too much - there is life after mud fever - even though it doesn't seem so at the time(s) |
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sasha
Gold Member
United Kingdom
518 Posts |
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Caro23
Gold Member
United Kingdom
617 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2010 : 11:06:11 AM
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Well I should have stuck to my gut feeling and used the Camrosa. There is no infection/swelling I think the scabs smelt. But I panicked and called vet - my usual vet wasn't available and the other one said bandage with animalintex and vet wrap. Then the field dried up and I wished I'd never covered them. Managed to get all but one bandage off but it has irritated the skin. Poor Dulcie was hysterical about the last bandage coming off the back and worse leg. So my vet came out last night and had to sedate her. He told me to wash them and gave me antibiotics and Flamazine and importantly to keep them uncovered. I told him about all the prevention I had tried etc but he made me feel like I hadn't bothered with her! I have no gripes about paying vets bills - I'd do anything for my horses welfare but the advice from the other vet was not correct!! 
In herself she is much better since the field has dried and she is happy moving around. If it gets very wet again she'll come into her shelter overnight and I will now start to plan what I do with the shelters and the field for next winter....
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Caro
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Freya and Ceece
Bronze Member
England
57 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2010 : 09:22:21 AM
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Hi,
My friend has on old mare that has a damaged liver due to living in a field of just buttercups (with a previous owner). She has four stockings and they had always completely blistered up and scabbed with mud fever every year (from coronet past her chestnuts). We tried everything to stop it, but she goes nuts in the stable so has to be out.
One of our neighbouring farmers spotted her in the field and gave us some terramicin spray to try. No problems this year, so she will have sprayed green legs for six months every year now!
It worked for us, just don't get it on your hands, cos the colour doesn't come off! Not ideal if you're competing, but if it does the job, it's worth just hacking out through winter for me. |
No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill
  
(Even if it ends with a minute in the mud) |
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At wit's end - mud fever
