Equr	Equr, Mud Related Conditions, and Greasy Heel

· What is Equr?
Equr is a thixotropic ointment, is non-greasy and washes out with warm water. It is designed to stick to the weeping areas that usually accompany mud related conditions.

· How does it work?
On application to the infected area, a burst of oxygen is made available (this is known as a "peroxide burst") which is deadly to anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen). In addition, Equr's anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties make it a very effective general healing ointment for all cuts and scrapes.

· How long before results are seen?
This depends on the individual horse or animal being treated, but usually within a few days-- certainly within a week.

· How much will be needed?
This depends on the size of the affected area that needs to be covered. If it is a small area and not a long-standing infection, then usually a small pot is sufficient.

· Can Equr be used with other medications such as steroids, antibiotics etc?
We do not recommend the mixing of treatments since it could be confusing to the immune system / response - not good for the horse! Leave at least a week after any other treatment has stopped before using Equr.

· Would Equr help 'greasy heel'?
This is sometimes mistakenly diagnosed as mud related conditions. "Greasy heel" is usually a problem associated with heavier horses and cobs and is related to their feathering. The build up of the "grease" is usually a result of mite infestation with symptoms of foot stamping, itching, chewing of the heels and the appearance of dry, hard scabs on the heels and lower legs (in chronic cases this can spread up the back of the knees). It is usually a year-round problem, unlike mud related conditions. Greasy heel is not a bacterial problem in origin but a parasitic one and should be treated as such, in order to achieve long-term results. Equr will remove the scabs but the most effective solution is to use our combined treatment of Bugwash and Heelit, which really tackles the adult mites, their eggs and larvae, and gets on top of the problem. The use of straw as bedding is not recommended since mites infest and live in the straw structure.

· What if my horse reacts to the application?
An adverse reaction is extremely rare. A few horses can experience a 'healing crisis' reaction (the area of infection gets worse before it gets better). However, this is not an allergic reaction but a perfectly natural immune response that can last from three to seven days.

NOTE: We do not recommend the use of Equr at the same time as using 'Bute' (phenylbutazone, an anti-inflammatory drug) because of the way Bute can affect the horse's metabolism. Leave a period of at least three weeks after discontinuing Bute (or any similar pharmaceutical) before using Equr.