PTJan/Feb 2010 p52-53 Duty Vet YC PJ MB 22/1/10 12:17 Page 2
The knowledge Duty vet
Mark Emerson MRCVS is a two-goal, fifth-generation polo player and an ambulatory equine vet
In the deep midwinter…
Rain scald and mud fever are a seasonal scourge, especially for polo ponies at grass.
As no proven 'magic formula' exists for either, how can they be managed and treated?
his winter rain scald and
T
mud fever should perhaps be
renamed snow scald and
slush fever. The conditions
are actually the same skin
infection affecting different parts of the
horse’s body. Mud fever is the name given
when the lower limbs are affected and
rain scald when the skin over the horse’s
back and flanks is affected. Unfortunately
both conditions are relatively common in
polo ponies kept outside during winter.
What causes the conditions?
The principal culprit is a species of
bacteria called Dermatophilus congolensis
that has a predilection for moist skin,
particularly skin that has been partially
debilitated by the rigours of winter. The
bacteria survive for most of the year as
spores in the soil and infect horses when
paddocks turn muddy and the horses
become exposed to the mud.
There is evidence to suggest that some
fields are particularly badly contaminated
with bacterial spores, and consequently
these fields tend to produce more cases.
Once infected, the skin is further
compromised and secondary infections
with Staphylococcus bacteria may occur.
Identifying the symptoms
Sodden coats trap the bacteria and
Above: Prolonged
maintain an ideal environment for the
exposure to wet
Mud fever is more common in horses with
bacteria to establish themselves. Horses
snow is only likely
to exacerbate this
white markings on their lower limbs
that are malnourished and cold may be
case of mud fever.
more prone to infection, although there is
definitely an allergy-like component to fever is more common in horses with Principles of treatment
the infection which appears to make white markings on their lower limbs – Over the years as a polo player and as
some horses more susceptible. the skin under the white hair lacks a vet I have come across many
With rain scald, overlying hair is pigment and is generally more different ways to treat mud fever and
often matted, and when removed predisposed to inflammatory conditions. rain scald. Despite anecdotal
exposes inflamed skin which is Movement may cause the underside of evidence, many of the treatments
interspersed with scabs and weeping infected pasterns to crack, allowing involve the use of products that have
y Mark Emerson
sores. The symptoms are similar in mud secondary bacteria to invade the resultant no proven clinical efficacy and from a
r
aphs b
fever, but instead the skin around the deep fissures. Severe mud fever is often physiological perspective may even do
Photog pastern and fetlock is affected. Mud painful and may cause lameness. more harm than good.
52 January/February 2010
www.polotimes.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84