Season Alert spring - HORSE - GREASY HEEL

As Winter has drawn to a close and Spring as erupted with a new sense of warmth in the air, most horse owners have experienced an extremely wet Winter and horses have been subjected to continuous wet and muddy conditions for an extended period of time.This leaves most horse susceptible to contracting greasy heel and sometimes treatment can be difficult. Products are available to treat this condition as a responsible horse owner but may require more than one product to achieve a successful result.

So what is Greasy Heel / Mud Fever?

Its a common condition that affects horses living and working in wet muddy conditions. The skin over the pasterns and heels becomes infected, resulting in scabby or weeping lesions which can be painful.

Sometimes the infection extends to the skin further up the legs. White limbs are particuarly susceptible. Mud Fever is not a single disease but a collection of clinical signs associated with a number of different causes. Although very common, it appears in various forms and is not limited to horses that are literally paddling knee deep in mud.

The condition can range from mild skin irritation to very painful, infected sores. The disease can actually affect the whole body and is given different names depending on the part of the horse that is affected. When it occurs along the backs of horses that are kept outside without rugs, it is known as rain scald.

Greasy Heel is the term used to describe the condition when it involves the lower limbs, most commonly the back of the pastern and the heels, where it can be seen as crusty scabs. The inflamed skin may discharge serum, causing hair to matt, giving the coat a rough, ungroomed appearance. With servere cases, the skin at the back of the pasterns may split open, producing deep horizontal cracks, commonly called cracked heels. Infection can enter these areas of damaged skin, resulting in hot, swollen and painful legs and cause servere lameness. Firmly adherent scabs are found in the pasterns and heel region.

There are many treatments for Greasy Heel. It is recommended that you seek guidance from a vet if the condition does not respond to basic treatments, it is often because no one remedy is guaranteed  to succeed.

Basic Treatment:

1. The affected area should be carefully clipped of escess hair to expose the skin (taking care not to traumatise the skin further). This can be done with a good pair of clippers or a pair of curved scissors.
2. Then use an anti-fungal wash (scroll down to see appropriate products listed below) as directed and use a soft brush or gently rub with your fingers to remove as many of the unhealthy, crusty scabs as possible. [Any lesion scabs should be collected and thrown in the bin] and you should wear disposable gloves as the fungus is contagious and can spread to other horses.
3. Gently rinse with warm water and then blot the skin dry with clean, absorbent paper towel or tissue. Rubbing it with a towel may be painful for the horse and could cause futher damage to the skin. (Scroll down to see appropriate topical cream and spray products listed below).

POTTIES GREEN OINTMENT

The soothing emollient base encourages moisture retention, and forms a protective barrier over the wound to promote healthy healing. Acts as an antiseptic and antimycotic skin dressing for horses and cattle to be used on skin irritations and ringworm. An antiseptic and... READ MORE

Qty	Size	Type	Price (inc.GST)	Buy
	200G	OINTMENT	AUD $20.75

QUIKHEAL OINTMENT

Quick Heal Ointment is used as an aid in the treatment of greasy heel, also general skin disorders including mud fever, rain scald, mange, girth rash and dermatitis (non-specific) in horses. The affected area should be cleaned and dried before a thin layer of ointment is applied once daily. Bandaging may assist... READ MORE

Qty	Size	Type	Price (inc.GST)	Buy
	200G	OINTMENT	AUD $34.20
	450G	OINTMENT	AUD $58.35

WHITE HEALER CREAM

  Ranvet White Healer is an astringent and germicidal ointment for use as an aid in the treatment of minor skin ailments and infections of horses. An antiseptic Cream for Horses and all other animals. READ MORE

Qty	Size	Type	Price (inc.GST)	Buy
	100G	CREAM	AUD $14.75
	500G	CREAM	AUD $35.20

IMAVEROL WASH

Imaverol is a synthetic antimycotic. It is recommended for the treatment of dermatomycoses or ringworm in cattle, horses and dogs, and contained pathogenic fungi such as Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton equinum, Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum.The concentrated Imaverol solution should... READ MORE

Qty	Size	Type	Price (inc.GST)	Buy
	100ML	LIQUID	AUD $56.65
	1L	LIQUID	AUD $439.80

DERMAGUARD MEDICATED WASH

  An effective remedy for insect bites, minor burns, including, minor skin irritations, heat rash, cuts and abrasions, and numerous other minor conditions. Melaleuca Oil as the... READ MORE

Qty	Size	Type	Price (inc.GST)	Buy
	500ML	WASH	AUD $34.95

VETADINE MEDICATED WASH

For use as an aid in the treatment of non-specific dermatoses (such as eczema) and ringworm in horses, cattle, dogs and cats and also Queensland Itch in horses.Vetadine Medicated Animal Wash contains iodophor, giving the well known effective... READ MORE

Qty	Size	Type	Price (inc.GST)	Buy
	250ML	WASH	AUD $16.25
	500ML	WASH	AUD $26.80
	2L	WASH	AUD $88.80

HOOF SALVE

Equinade Hoof Salve is a mild cream, when used on a regular basis, may aid in controlling hoof and skin problems. Bacterial and fungal infections such as thrush and greasy heal and sand cracks, split heels and brittle shelly hooves may benefit from regular application of Hoof Salve. Antibacterial agents combined with natural oils and waxes, protect and nourish against prolonged ailments. Use Hoof Salve regularly... READ MORE

Qty	Size	Type	Price (inc.GST)	Buy
	450G	OINTMENT	AUD $15.20
	850G	OINTMENT	AUD $26.65