PTJan/Feb 2010 p52-53 Duty Vet YC PJ MB 22/1/10 12:17 Page 3
Clockwise from top left: Mild cases of mud fever, such as this one, may improve by bringing the horse in out of the wet. A severe case of rain scald with
matted hair overlying very sore and inflamed skin. A steroid anti-inflammatory cream with antibiotic applied to an area affected by mud fever
After washing and clipping the infected area, scabs
ideally contain antibiotics and/or an anti-
inflammatory component. Paraffin-based
should be loosened, then binned as they may contain
products merely trap bacteria and moisture.
spores that could re-infect horses if swept around
Many veterinary practices make up their
own non-proprietary combination creams
by mixing an antibiotic with a steroid anti-
Whatever the treatment, affected with a dilute disinfectant, such as inflammatory. Severe cases may benefit
horses should be removed from muddy Hibiscrub™. A warm solution will open from injectable or oral antibiotics.
fields and provided with shelter. This up pores and allow the disinfectant to Due to the allergy-like component of
may be sufficient to allow mild cases penetrate the skin. the condition, severely or recurrently
to resolve. More severe cases ought to At this stage, scabs should be loosened, infected individuals may benefit from a
be actively treated, the objectives being but should also be binned as they may course of oral anti-inflammatory steroids
to kill the offending bacteria and contain spores that could re-infect horses if or a long acting steroid injection. Ideally
reduce the inflammation, while at the swept around the yard. The infected area horses should be kept indoors until the
same time changing the micro- should then be rinsed thoroughly and dried condition has fully resolved. F
environment of the skin that has in a manner that will not irritate the skin
allowed the bacteria to thrive. further (patted with kitchen towel or even
◗ Mark Emerson works as an ambulatory
equine vet based near Ascot in Berkshire
A sensible treatment protocol is to dried with a hair dryer).
and has many polo clients across the
start by clipping any overlying long hair Creams and ointments can then be
south of England. Tel: 07973 800358 or
followed by washing the infected area applied, but to have any benefit they must email:
mark@emersonequine.com
www.polotimes.co.uk January/February 2010 53
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