Changes

*Mud fever

*Mud fever

*Grease heel.

*Grease heel.

Typically  hair becomes matted and focal lesions develop into crusts and thick scabs covered by layers of yellow-green pus. When scabs are removed the hair is taken with them and alopecia results. Rain scald commonly affects the dorsum, shoulders and neck. It can however extend to lower portions of the body and abdomen. It typically begins as small rough raised bumps and can go un-noticed in long haired regions. Mud fever looks similar to rain scald but affects the pastern and distal limbs. White legs and white skinned areas are most commonly affected. Grease heel is a disease complex which presens in the same way as rain scald and mud fever but over the heels. It produces a grey exudate which feels greasy to touch. The disease complex can involve dematophilosis as well as a number of other conditions including [[Dermatophytosis| dermatophytosis]], pastern folliculitis, [[Bacterial skin infections - Pathologysuperficial pyoderma|pyoderma]], photosensitisation, contact dermatitis and chorioptic mange.  

Typically  hair becomes matted and focal lesions develop into crusts and thick scabs covered by layers of yellow-green pus. When scabs are removed the hair is taken with them and alopecia results. Rain scald commonly affects the dorsum, shoulders and neck. It can however extend to lower portions of the body and abdomen. It typically begins as small rough raised bumps and can go un-noticed in long haired regions. Mud fever looks similar to rain scald but affects the pastern and distal limbs. White legs and white skinned areas are most commonly affected. Grease heel is a disease complex which presens in the same way as rain scald and mud fever but over the heels. It produces a grey exudate which feels greasy to touch. The disease complex can involve dematophilosis as well as a number of other conditions including [[Dermatophytosis| dermatophytosis]], pastern folliculitis, [[Bacterial skin infections - Pathology#superficial pyoderma|pyoderma]], [[Photosensitisation|photosensitisation]], contact dermatitis and [[Chorioptic Mange|chorioptic mange]].  

*Strawberry foot rot

*Strawberry foot rot

*Fleece rot

*Fleece rot

Fleece infection is known as lumpy wool. Infection passes from ewe to lamb during suckling and hence lesions first appear on the head which leads to infection on the trunk. In wet weather can result in high morbidity outbreaks. Large areas of the fleece can be affected where crusts of varying thickness become evident. On haired skin, crusts can become very thick and can form horn like structures. In rams, severe infections can result in the scotum and surrounding skin becoming affected.

Fleece infection is known as lumpy wool. Infection passes from ewe to lamb during suckling and hence lesions first appear on the head which leads to infection on the trunk. In wet weather can result in high morbidity outbreaks. Large areas of the fleece can be affected where crusts of varying thickness become evident. On haired skin, crusts can become very thick and can form horn like structures. In severe infecions of rams the scrotum and surrounding skin can become affected.

Strawberry foot rot is a condition affecting the skin from the coronet to the carpus or hock. The disease occurs as a result of [[Orf|Orf]] and Dermatophilus infection. Scabs get rubbed away leaving the granulating surface qhich resembles a strawberry.

Strawberry foot rot is a condition affecting the skin from the coronet to the carpus or hock. The disease occurs as a result of [[Orf|Orf]] and Dermatophilus infection. Scabs get rubbed away leaving the granulating surface which resembles a strawberry.

Fleece rot

Fleece rot

Is rarely reported but causes lesions are distributed over the head, dorsum, neck and chest. Cattle that stand for long periods in deep water and mud develop lesions over the flexor surfaces of the joints. Dairy cows may develop lesions on the udder.  

Is rarely reported but causes lesions which are distributed over the head, dorsum, neck and chest. Cattle that stand for long periods in deep water and mud develop lesions over the flexor surfaces of the joints. Dairy cows may develop lesions on the udder.  

Lesions may resolve within weeks if dry weather or prolonged wetting of infected areas can lead to secondary bacterial infection which can result in limb oedema and cellulitis.

Lesions may resolve within weeks if dry weather or prolonged wetting of infected areas can lead to secondary bacterial infection which can result in limb [[Oedema - Pathology|oedema]] and cellulitis.

==Pathology==

==Pathology==

Grossly: [[Skin Glossary - Pathology|Papules, pustules, crusts]] may coalesce and mat the coat

Grossly: [[Skin Glossary - Pathology|Papules, pustules, crusts]] may coalesce and mat the coat.

Microscopically:

Microscopically:

Horses:

Horses:

Bring affected animals into a dry environment and isolate. Scabs should be soaked and removed. Chlorhexidine and benzoyl peroxide are recommended as topical antibacterials.

Bring affected animals into a dry environment and isolate. Scabs should be soaked and removed. Chlorhexidine and benzoyl peroxide are recommended as topical antibacterials.

Tack and any other equipment should be disinfected to avoid further infection. Systemic antibiotics should be administered if secondary infection is present. Owners should be educated about the condition and warned that reoccurence may occur in wet weather.   

Tack and any other equipment should be disinfected to avoid further infection. Systemic [[Antibiotics| antibiotics]] should be administered if secondary infection is present. Owners should be educated about the condition and warned that reoccurence may occur in wet weather.   

Farm animals:

Farm animals:

Bring affected animals into a dry environment. Investigate any underlying problems which may predispose to the infection.

Bring affected animals into a dry environment. Investigate any underlying problems which may predispose to the infection.

Antibiotics can be given intramuscularly and typically work following one dose. However is signs do not resolve a 5 day course should be administered. Penicillin and streptomycin are good choices for this disease.  

Antibiotics can be given intramuscularly and typically work following one dose. However if signs do not resolve a 5 day course should be administered. [[Penicillins|Penicillin]] and [[Aminoglycosides#streptomycin|streptomycin]] are good choices for this disease.  

Additionally Dips containing 0.2% Copper Sulphate or 0.5% Zinc sulphate can be affective.

Additionally Dips containing 0.2% Copper Sulphate or 0.5% Zinc sulphate can be effective.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Good if animals or kept dry. Often re-occurs in wet weather.

Good if animals are kept dry. Often re-occurs in wet weather.

==References==

==References==

Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial  

Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial  

4th year Veterinary Dermatology notes. Royal Veterinary college. October-November 2008. p60-64.

4th year Veterinary Dermatology notes. Royal Veterinary college. October-November 2008. p60-64.