# Mud fever

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{{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 [horse](/source/horse)s causing irritation and dermatitis in the lower limbs of horses.  Often caused by a mixture of bacteria, typically ''[Dermatophilus congolensis](/source/Dermatophilus_congolensis)'' and ''[Staphylococcus](/source/Staphylococcus)'' spp., mud fever can also be caused by fungal organisms ([dermatophyte](/source/dermatophyte)s).  [Photosensitization](/source/Photosensitivity_in_animals), 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](/source/Malassezia)'' can also contribute, as can chorioptic [mange](/source/mange) mites.  Photosensitivity or irritant contact may contribute in certain cases.  Rarely, [vasculitis](/source/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](/source/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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mud fever](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_fever) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_fever?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.