Post by IH Health on Jan 21, 2009 14:45:28 GMT 1
Lice and Mites
Also known as
Things that make your horse itchy and bald!
What is it?
Lice and mites are parasites that live naturally around the horse environment. However when conditions are warm and damp, they can go into population overdrive and cause illness within horses (and other organisms!). The main difference between the two is that lice will normally live on top of the skin (ie in clothes or in long hair) whereas mites tend to burrow in and live life buried partially in or under the skin.
Types
There are two main lice that affect horses: Chewing or sucking lice (Haematopinus asini) and Biting Lice (Pilosus and Damalinia equi). Sucking lice will feed off of the blood of the horse whilst Biting Lice will eat tissues and cells from the surface of the skin. Lice are normally species specific so will not transfer to other animals (apart from poultry)
There are many mites and ticks that can affect horses such as harvest mites (orange in colour) and feather mites (common in heavier horses). Mites live off the blood of horses and can cause conditions such as sarcoptic mange and more seriously scabies if left.
Causes
Lice and mites are commonplace in the natural environment but population bursts can be caused by warm but wet conditions, poor housekeeping (ie not cleaning up spilled food from communal areas) or interaction with an infested animal. If an animal becomes overrun with critters then it can indicate a low immune system.
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be made through searching over the horse for the parasites. General areas of infestation are around the mane, along the back and down the flanks. Lice look like long ovals, normally grey or white in colour. Mites can range in colours and can form plaques or ‘scabs’ by hooking in together. The websites below can show you what to look for.
Treatment
Treatment of lice is either powder, shampoo, topical spray or in some cases an injection. Chemical or herbal powders can be used to cover the horse and can offer long lasting prevention from lice although it can was off in bad weather and are thought not to be helpful during a lice outbreak. Insecticidal Shampoos and topical sprays such as Deosect can be effective in full body coverage and removed of lice. There are also an increasing amount of vets using injectable Dectomax to remove lice. Rugs and grooming equipment should also be cleaned thoroughly.
Mites can be controlled through topical shampoos and sprays, ivermectin taken orally or sprays such as Frontline. Pig Oil and Sulphur are also quoted, along with a paraffin mix.
If this is your horses’ first brush with lice or mites then speak to your vet about a viable treatment plan.
Websites (click on title for link)
The Abbey Vet Group
Equine Vet
Horse and Hound
Previous discussions (click on title for link)
Treating Lice
For those with horses that have feathered legs
Lice
Flaky skin
Lice – help!
Dealing with Ticks
Lice how do you exterminate them?
What are they? Lice?
Bald patches
Lice – low long does it take to kill them?
Chicken Mites – do horses get them off chickens?
Leg mites
Has your horse had dectomax inj?
Pig Oil and Sulphur
Feather mites – advice please
Ear mites?
Mites/harvest mites
Urgent mites?
+ lots more on the search facility!
Please post below any information you have on this subject or of your experiences in diagnosis/treatment/aftercare. All information given is for reference only and does not constitute or should replace qualified veterinarian advice.
Also known as
Things that make your horse itchy and bald!
What is it?
Lice and mites are parasites that live naturally around the horse environment. However when conditions are warm and damp, they can go into population overdrive and cause illness within horses (and other organisms!). The main difference between the two is that lice will normally live on top of the skin (ie in clothes or in long hair) whereas mites tend to burrow in and live life buried partially in or under the skin.
Types
There are two main lice that affect horses: Chewing or sucking lice (Haematopinus asini) and Biting Lice (Pilosus and Damalinia equi). Sucking lice will feed off of the blood of the horse whilst Biting Lice will eat tissues and cells from the surface of the skin. Lice are normally species specific so will not transfer to other animals (apart from poultry)
There are many mites and ticks that can affect horses such as harvest mites (orange in colour) and feather mites (common in heavier horses). Mites live off the blood of horses and can cause conditions such as sarcoptic mange and more seriously scabies if left.
Causes
Lice and mites are commonplace in the natural environment but population bursts can be caused by warm but wet conditions, poor housekeeping (ie not cleaning up spilled food from communal areas) or interaction with an infested animal. If an animal becomes overrun with critters then it can indicate a low immune system.
Symptoms
- Hair Loss
- Frequent biting or scratching
- Skin lesions from excessive itching
- Dermatitis and skin scruff
- Strange behaviour
- Strange coloured plaques in hair loss areas
- Dull coat
- Stamping of feet (in feather mite cases)
- General uncomfortable demeanour
- In infestation cases anaemia can be present (pale gums, weak, loss of appetite)
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be made through searching over the horse for the parasites. General areas of infestation are around the mane, along the back and down the flanks. Lice look like long ovals, normally grey or white in colour. Mites can range in colours and can form plaques or ‘scabs’ by hooking in together. The websites below can show you what to look for.
Treatment
Treatment of lice is either powder, shampoo, topical spray or in some cases an injection. Chemical or herbal powders can be used to cover the horse and can offer long lasting prevention from lice although it can was off in bad weather and are thought not to be helpful during a lice outbreak. Insecticidal Shampoos and topical sprays such as Deosect can be effective in full body coverage and removed of lice. There are also an increasing amount of vets using injectable Dectomax to remove lice. Rugs and grooming equipment should also be cleaned thoroughly.
Mites can be controlled through topical shampoos and sprays, ivermectin taken orally or sprays such as Frontline. Pig Oil and Sulphur are also quoted, along with a paraffin mix.
If this is your horses’ first brush with lice or mites then speak to your vet about a viable treatment plan.
Websites (click on title for link)
The Abbey Vet Group
Equine Vet
Horse and Hound
Previous discussions (click on title for link)
Treating Lice
For those with horses that have feathered legs
Lice
Flaky skin
Lice – help!
Dealing with Ticks
Lice how do you exterminate them?
What are they? Lice?
Bald patches
Lice – low long does it take to kill them?
Chicken Mites – do horses get them off chickens?
Leg mites
Has your horse had dectomax inj?
Pig Oil and Sulphur
Feather mites – advice please
Ear mites?
Mites/harvest mites
Urgent mites?
+ lots more on the search facility!
Please post below any information you have on this subject or of your experiences in diagnosis/treatment/aftercare. All information given is for reference only and does not constitute or should replace qualified veterinarian advice.