Mud Fever

Horses Health Problems Guides

Mud fever is a form of pastern dermatitis and specifically refers to a bacterial skin infection usually present on the lower limbs of horses. The majority of mud fever infections involve a bacteria called dermatophilus congolensis but they can involve different or additional secondary bacteria. The bacteria are found on the surface of all horses’ skin normally but cause the infection if the usual protective skin barrier is breached. It is commonly seen during wet seasons from mud or long wet grass due to prolonged exposure to moisture which causes the loss of the skin barrier allowing the bacteria to penetrate deeper.

Symptoms

The most common sign of mud fever is scabbing usually in the heel bulbs and on the pastern and fetlock of one or more limbs. There can also be hair loss, sore red-looking skin, swelling and lameness. Usually when the scabs are lifted there is raw sore looking skin underneath as well as pus sometimes.

Diagnosis

Clinical examination is often sufficient alone to make a diagnosis. Swabs of the infected skin underneath scabs can culture the bacteria involved for more targeted therapy if indicated. Sometimes it is important to rule out some other disease which can look like mud fever such as exudative pastern dermatitis, chronic proliferative pastern dermatitis, pastern leukocytoclastic vasculitis, leg mites and pemphigus.

Treatment

Mild cases with no swelling of the limb or lameness should resolve with topical treatment including:

Washing the affected area with warm water containing diluted hibiscrub and removing scabs which will come away. The bacteria live underneath the scabs so removing the scabs exposes them to the elements and hibiscrub treatment killing the bacteria. It is important to leave the hibiscrub on for at least 5 minutes before rinsing to act and then thoroughly dry the limbs after washing.
Topical medicated creams – either just antibiotic or antibiotic and steroid containing.
Change of management to allow full resolution – keep the horse off wet land whilst the mud fever clears up. This may involve a period of box rest with exercise from the box if the land is very wet.

More severely affected cases will require the above plus some systemic medication including:

Antibiotics – may be indicated if there is a secondary cellulitis (the infection has gone deeper than the skin causing pain, swelling and possibly lameness).
Pain killers – some mud fever infections are painful especially if there is secondary cellulitis and it can even make horses lame therefore a course of oral anti-inflammatory pain-relieving medication is often required. An improvement in comfort will also hopefully allow safer and more pleasant topical management as the horse will be more amenable.

Prevention

Attempts to prevent mud fever should be made if the conditions are wet and particularly if the horse has experienced it before. This involves helping the skin to maintain its healthy barrier by allowing breaks from the wet where possible (such as bringing in the stable for periods of time), using barrier lotions or powders, drying the limbs as often as possible, if washing mud from limbs ideally use warm water and dry them afterwards, treat any small cuts on the limbs quickly and act quickly if some scabs start developing.

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Low Albumin (Hypoalbuminaemia)

Horses Alpacas Guides Advice

Causes

The most common cause of low blood albumin in horses is intestinal disease. If there is diarrhoea then the loss is likely from the large intestine, if there is no diarrhoea then the loss is most likely from the small intestine. The causes of intestinal disease include worms particularly encysted redworm, sand, inflammatory bowel disease, some medications, infection, or neoplasia. It may also be caused by kidney or liver disease in rarer cases.

Symptoms

Weight loss
Fluid swelling under belly and/or lower legs
Lethargy
Not quite right
Diarrhoea
No outward symptoms in mild cases

Diagnosis

The low albumin is shown on a blood test. The cause can be investigated with:

an ultrasound scan on the abdomen to assess the small intestine, large intestine, kidneys and liver.
Faecal testing for worm burden, sand and infections.
Further blood testing looking for concurrent disease or inflammation.
Biopsy of the small intestine or rectum.
Gastroscopy.

Treatment

The specific treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include:

Wormer – encysted red worm is a common cause of low albumin so an equest wormer is usually recommended.
Steroids – the albumin is leaked through inflamed intestine walls therefore steroids are often indicated to treat the inflammation.
Misoprostal – a medication which improves the blood supply to the intestine to aid healing.
Psyllium – if sand is suspected and for large intestine support.
Probiotic supplement.
Fluids – if dehydrated.
Stopping any medications which could be the cause.
Treating any concurrent disease.
Plasma transfusion may be required in severely affected horses.

Prognosis

Mild cases which respond well to treatment quickly have a good prognosis, particularly if the underlying cause is identified and treated. However, some cases may require long-term treatment such as inflammatory bowel disease. Severely affected hypoalbuminaemic horses particularly with a heavy encysted redworm burden can have a poor prognosis and the condition may lead to euthanasia.