{{Short description|Horse disease}} {{for|the disease affecting humans sometimes known as "mud fever"<!--https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/nyregion/bronx-ny-rat-disease.html-->|Leptospirosis}}
thumb|''Dermatophilus congolensis'', a causative agent of mud fever '''Mud fever''', also known as '''scratches''' or '''pastern dermatitis''', is a group of diseases of horses causing irritation and dermatitis in the lower limbs of horses. Often caused by a mixture of bacteria, typically ''Dermatophilus congolensis'' and ''Staphylococcus'' spp., mud fever can also be caused by fungal organisms (dermatophytes). Photosensitization, chorioptic mange mites, contact dermatitis, and other conditions also contribute to some cases. This condition is also known as '''dew poisoning''', '''grease''', '''grease heel''', or '''greasy heel'''.
==Cause== Mud fever is caused by an infection of the skin by bacteria, including ''Dermatophilus congolensis'', and often ''Staphylococcus'' spp. Dermatophytes and other fungal organisms such as ''Malassezia'' can also contribute, as can chorioptic mange mites. Photosensitivity or irritant contact may contribute in certain cases. Rarely, vasculitis can cause continued inflammation.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pascoe |first=Reginald R. |author2=Knottenbelt, Derek C. |title=Manual of Equine Dermatology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tdHsLjvHz14C|accessdate=2008-05-31 |year=1999 |publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences |location= |isbn=0-7020-1968-2 |oclc= |doi= |id= |chapter=Iatrogenic and Idiopathic Disorders|page=202 }}</ref>
==See also== *Rainscald
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://vetsci.co.uk/2011/09/21/mud-fever VetSci] – Mud Fever Infographic *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120201232330/http://us.arcanatura.com/horse-healthcare/clinical-signs-of-equine-scratches/ ArcaNatura] – Guide to Visually Diagnosing Clinical Signs of Scratches
Category:Horse diseases