Mud fever...keep or cut feathers?

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cat&theherd

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Nov 27, 2011
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Custard pony has mud fever. :( He has a big sore spot on his right hind and also above his hock! He is also really sore about his front right but he has big thick feathers and I can't see through them to tell how bad it is. I am considering clipping his feathers off; he's getting the mud fever with them and I can't treat it/monitor it properly with them.

I put pig oil with sulphur on for the past 2 weeks and it seems to have helped to an extent but not enough to stop it He looks slightly lame on his right fore too and he tried to boot me in the head when I was trying to find the soreness He is the most lovely pony ever so I know he must be sore to react like that. :(

I have the vet out on Thurs for vaccs but I would like other people's opinions too. I have been trying to monitor it for me but I just can't find the sores on his front right. YM tried to have a look too.

I feel really rubbish because I want to help him but I don't know what to do now. Atm I feel like taking his feathers off so I can see/treat the worse bits properly, bring him in at night and get turnout boots.
 
I am always keen for people's input on mud fever, there are so many different opinions! Even our vet could not commit fully to one preferred method over another. Our new horse has feathers and we aren't sure if she has feather mite or not (she's been given the injection because it worked last time) but neither vet or OH could determine for sure if it was mud fever, she stamps and there are some scabs which she is not keen on us meddling with.
However, I will be keeping an eye on it and if it proves that the mite injection did not work I will probably be tempted to clip the feathers off, bathe(this was vets advice) try and loosen the scabs, and then when the area is dry apply some Flamazine cream or something similar. I had the turnout boots years ago for Joe - have to say they were ok up to a point (and they are jolly expensive). You can only use the Equilibrium ones 6 days a week, which sort of defeats the object! (Assuming you want to turn out daily). I am guessing this is something to do with circulation (as they are a tight fit in order to do their job). Also they are the devil to clean and dry - they had pride of place on our towel rail in the bathroom but sadly took a few days to be ready to use again!
This darned mud! So annoying. Having said that, JOe got mud fever when we were on a yard years ago through being turned out in the school. Vet said that the bacteria must have been present in the surface and he somehow picked it up?!
 
At this stage I would suggest taking the feathers off is the best way to assess the situation & treat what's there. It sounds like it's probably significantly developed and if so it'll be near impossible to treat with so much feather on.

As to what treatment you go for - well, how long's a piece of string! Everybody is adament their way is the best way, you'll just have to see how it goes and find out what works for you. People people recommend taking the scabs off yourself, others swear you shouldn't. Some will tell you to use boots, others will have found they're a nightmare. Some find just using an aqueous cream will be enough to keep it away. Good luck choosing your way forward (sorry I'm no help whatsoever with that!)

My horse is heavy feathered & I choose to keep her feather on and will do unless there is a huge problem and I HAVE to take them off. So far *touches wood* they have been brilliant at keeping mud fever away - I now PO&S regularly which helps loads. Feather is great until compromised, then they're a friggin' nightmare!
 
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Yes I'm slightly overwhelmed by all the opinions on it! And getting upset because I can't decide what's best to do! Either thing I choose could make him worse :help:

I love his feathers but he's the most important thing. If I did take them off wouldn't it be sore to clip them? :unsure:
 
It would probably be a bit sore over the affected areas so best to treat carefully I guess. You wouldn't necessary have to trim right back to the skin but take the majority of the feather off so you can at least get in to the skin.
 
My cob suffers mud fever, i cut his feathers off last year to treat him, he hasn't shown any signs this year so far so will probs hold of chopping the feathers until i notice something.
 
That was the plan :( But I think keeping them meant I missed the early stages! :cry:

I really appreciate all the personal experiences; doesn't stop me worrying like anything. Seems like whatever I do can make it worse. Out of interest did anyone use turnout boots?
 
Pig oil and sulphur is great as a preventative but as I understand it can make actual sores worse as sulphur is very strong. What I would do is bring him in, slather sudocrem, aromaheel or something like that on the scabs, cover with cling film and bandage over the top. After a few hours you should be able to wipe the scabs away and then use something to act as a barrier and soothe the wound. Don't use turnout boots until you are absolutely certain it has all gone or it could make it worse.

Are you sure it is definitely mud fever or could it be mites? Hopefully your vet will be able to help tomorrow.
 
I'm a big fan of keeping feathers as protection. However, feathers are equally as good at protecting the problem from view and offering protection and a chance to thrive for nasties that have taken hold. Therefore I'm not anti taking them off if needs be for monitoring and treatment but I am again taking them off as a matter of cause for prevention.
 
I'd have them off to get a closer look at the problem. Much easier once you can see what you're dealing with and when its getting better. Good luck with it - maybe just use some scissors to clip round the sensitive areas.
I echo others, PO&S is fab as a preventative measure, I apply once every six-eight weeks after farrier visit all the way through the year, but you need to choose what you put on the mud fever carefully as it might act as a barrier to keep the mud fever in!
 
Roxy's Mum said:
It would probably be a bit sore over the affected areas so best to treat carefully I guess. You wouldn't necessary have to trim right back to the skin but take the majority of the feather off so you can at least get in to the skin.
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Ditto this :) I wouldnt take it RIGHT back, just enough to enable you to treat effectively :)
 
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