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Post by dannyboy on Jan 7, 2012 10:52:09 GMT
on Murphy. I've been usually mucking out in the dark and didn't notice balding to Murphy's rear legs. Then today after a better inspection, I found some cuts which look quite raw and more balding around his head. I've taken off his coat and he has one other raw area on his side. I'm thinking it could be dust mites from the hay?? Casper doesn't have any tho  and he's fed the same hay. I had been using up some old hay as bedding too so perhaps thats more likely  . I've completely cleared out Murphy's stable and put down new bedding so hopefully this will help but I'm not sure how I should bathe / treate the condition. Any suggestions? |
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Post by fimacg on Jan 7, 2012 12:57:02 GMT
it couldn't be his rug rubbing him could it?
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Post by fleabitten on Jan 7, 2012 14:37:27 GMT
Whereabouts is the balding? if its where the leg straps/fillet string is then it could be rubbing as fi suggested. Maybe its an allergy, seeing as you mention that is on his head and side as well? Maybe he has lice - information sheet here from equine vets: www.equine-vet.co.uk/informationsheets/Mites%20and%20Lice.pdfIt actually sounds like it might be this from your description and reading the symptoms etc on this sheet. Im not really sure of how is best to treat it, maybe best to give the vets a ring and ask them what the best thing is to do. |
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Post by ceej on Jan 7, 2012 19:51:12 GMT
do you have any pics?
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Post by haffyfan on Jan 8, 2012 14:33:15 GMT
On the legs could it be possibly mud fever? A mare i use to ride, Khara custard, lost all the hair on her hind legs just about through a severe case one year.
If he has it in other places maybe even a form of dermatitis...could then be allergy related of course.
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Post by dannyboy on Jan 8, 2012 20:49:40 GMT
This is a pic of his back legs but its not that plain unfortunately. Its hard to see the cuts. I noticed little light brown flies moving on him this afternoon.  I went to the vet yesterday (who doesn't really specialise in horses) as he is closeby and he gave me a scrub and injections of antibiotics and advised me to call with him on Tues for a shampoo. I had a friend 'P' who has experience in injecting to come and do it for me but when she seen Murphy and spoke to another vet they couldn't see why it sounded infected. So I didn't inject him. P had extra shampoo at home so I bathed him in that today in the areas affected - different spots all over the body which are very raw and extremely itchy. I've also lathered the areas with some sudo cream to keep the dirt out. Do you think it is lice? mites? etc |
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Post by dannyboy on Jan 8, 2012 20:56:47 GMT
Just read that info Flea and I think it sounds like lice  |
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Post by dannyboy on Jan 9, 2012 11:02:10 GMT
Called with another vet today and he gave me spot-on to pour down his back (from wither to tail), apparently this goes into his bloodstream and kills them very quickly. Here's hoping. I'm going to treat both boys as its contagious. I have no idea how he got them  Unless the dusty bedding? I've heard that stress can bring them on - have any of you heard of that? modified just to query birds? there are definitely some in his stable |
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Post by fleabitten on Jan 9, 2012 20:06:38 GMT
From my veterinary manual it says: that its a common parasite, lice appear in the winter when the coat is long causing itching and loss of patches of hair. serious infestations cause loss of condition and anaemia. treatment requires a suitable insecticidal wash, or dousing with louse powder while 'ivermectin' also kills lice. biting lice are found mainly in the body coat whilst sucking lice live in the hair of the mane and tail. causes: horses are more susceptible when they are in poor condition and are kept in large numbers. (thats all it really says about causes) treatment: if possible the coat should be clipped out. to break the life cycle, treatment should be at 2 week intervals either by washing the coat with insecticidal wash or dusting with louse powder. administer ivermectin wormer - these have the useful side action of killing lice. i dunno what could have caused them on murphy cos hes not in bad condition and he only lives with one other horse. |
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Post by fleabitten on Jan 9, 2012 20:11:08 GMT
maybe you should wash his rugs and grooming kit as well?
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Post by ceej on Jan 10, 2012 7:18:17 GMT
Poor u and Murphy! I have only ever had experience with lice in the mane and tail, never seen this before, ...willow came back with them. I used dermoline shampoo and could comb the dead lice out afterwards...urgh!!! Since then, all my horses get a dermoline shampoo in the spring, just to keep any bugs away (its also just really good shampoo!!) not much help in jan tho!
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Post by dannyboy on Jan 10, 2012 12:08:00 GMT
Thanks Flea. I've only just wormed them about 6wks ago but I think another very soon wouldn't do them much harm. I'll defo be washing coats and kit - I'm scatching like mad just thinking about the little blighters!! Ceej, looks like a wee dermoline shampoo in the spring might be in order from now on  |
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Post by fleabitten on Jan 10, 2012 20:18:18 GMT
i know, when you think about bugs it makes you so itchy doesnt it lol!
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and he's fed the same hay. I had been using up some old hay as bedding too so perhaps thats more likely 
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Unless the dusty bedding? I've heard that stress can bring them on - have any of you heard of that? 
