Translation needed

[Tootsie4U]

Ok, for months now I've been wondering what you all mean by "mud fever". Everyone I ask hasn't heard the term before. Im sure its just a geographical gap, but could someone enlighten me?

I've done general searches on the internet and found nothing specific. I understand that its some sort of ailment obtained from standing in wetness (like thrush?)....

If anyone could find a picture, that would be most helpful ;)

Thanks a bunch,
Tootsie

[Mehitabel]

mud fever is a bacterial type thing that horses get on their heels and lower legs. it's the same bacteria that causes rainscald (which i think you guys call rain rot?) - scabs on the back that normally come on in wet conditions when the skin never gets a chance to dry out.
http://www.aromesse.com/images2/aheel_before.jpg

http://www.aromesse.com/pages/mud_fever.htm - useful page with info about causes and treatment.

[Bebe]

I've heard it called Scratches on US sites before.

[Tootsie4U]

Hmmm. Do all cases look like those? I wonder because Bonfire has smaller, less scabby, less pussy lumps and bumps down by his coronets too, but only on the back side, and only on his one white sock. Doesn't seem to bother him and its not hiddeous. I just "pick off" or wipe away the crusties.

[Mehitabel]

that's quite a nasty case, so it doesn't always look that horrid. white legs do get it more often than dark ones, as the skin is pink and more sensitive. could well be a mild case of it - the name is misleading as it isn't always associated with mud.
if the horse is constantly stood in mud, then the skin gets wet and more porous, so the bacteria can get in more easily, but i have known horses get it whose fields were bone dry - it depends on how susceptible the individual horse is, and also if the bacteria is living in that particular soil.

take a pic next time he has some and stick it up for us to peer at.

[Tootsie4U]

Will do.

Thank you Es and Bebe.