The persistent wet weather is doing nothing to help our four legged friends who may be suffering from mud fever. One of our equestrian experts discusses the condition below:
The scientific name for mud fever is pastern dermatitis and it affects many horses. It is caused by an infection that lives in the ground, which thrives particularly well in wet and muddy environments, so the current weather we are experiencing is perfect for it.
When horses are standing in wet, muddy fields for prolonged periods of time it can cause their skin to become chapped and damaged. This breaking of this skin allows the infection to enter the body where it takes hold due to the damp environment and the warmth of the skin. Signs of mud fever include small scabs on the skin, discharge from the scabs, hair loss in the affected area, heat, swelling, pain and possible lameness.
For treatment consult your vet, but sensible paddock and sward management is a good preventative step. Rotate land, make use of hard standing and stabling, fence out the wettest parts or avoid low lying land altogether if you are able to do so.
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