Archie's tail is disappearing ... advice, please

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zeuscleoharmony

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Archie has always had a full tail at the top and I have never had to worry about it.

However, in the last few weeks I have noticed he has been scratching it more than he perhaps normally but it didn't cause me any concern. Went up yesterday and it is like a loo brush, really short broken hairs from the top of his tail to approximatlely halfway down his dock. There is no soreness or broken skin, just broken hair.

Clearly, something is going on but am unsure what. I have looked for mites but all I see is a bit of a scurfy dock. Normally, I would brush his tail every day, hence no problems before, but since I have been crocked I am unsure this has happened, however, he has certainly been very well cared and groomed regularly by my friend who stood in at short notice and has been caring for him in my absence.

I was going to give it a wash with a soothing shampoo and rinse well - what would you do? Also, would a tail guard help or would it be too hot? He is out 24/7.

Many thanks xxx
 
Hello!! Been meaning to reply to your message for ages but just never get round to it!!

My welshie has quite a greasy tail and he will rub it given the chance when its hot, or sticky, or maybe all the nasty little flies and midges that are about at the moment are just driving him nuts? I wash it in tea tree/medicated shampoo to get rid of the greasy bits and put electric fencing inside the other fence so he has nothing rub on for a few days while it clears up to avoid it turning into a scrubbing brush!

I hate to say it but presume worming is all up to date??
 
Hi Dobbin27 - thank you for your reply. (You mentioned you had wanted to reply for ages - am I losing my mind and posted this before?)

Thanks for your advice. Archie has been in a field with some lovely trees to scratch on but I shall be moving him this weekend down to his own paddock (my YO lets me use a paddock in summer with plenty of trees to keep my boy out of the direct sun as he gets very hot). Sorry, I digressed
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Archie's worming plan is all up together as is all innocs, etc.

His bottom is washed too on a regular basis (again, a daily occurrence with me but perhaps not something my friend is able to fit in every day).

I am now pretty much back on my feet, the last week or so I have come on remarkably and am able to do a lot more than I was able to do even a week ago so things should get back to normal now.
 
Hi Archiesmummy, no advise on Archies disapearing tail, just nice to hear that you are recovering and feeling a litttle better. Hope you continue to do so x
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Has he ever suffered with sweet itch before. My friend TB gets it and a fly sheets works a treat as does a good fly spray. Try using a fly sheet when the midgis are out more, like at dawn and dusk!!
 
You sent me a PM ages ago after I commented on your handsome boy!! I'm just really rubbish, and forget they are there!!

I think you get more midges and things (Not necessarily live on ponies bugs, just tickles when they keep walking on ponies bugs!) if you had a nice shady field and there are loads about at the moment. I'm sure a good wash and nothing to scratch it on will sort it out!!

I think it becomes a bit of a habit to just have a good scratch once they realise how good it feels!!
 
I did think about sweet itch but he has never suffered from it before - is it something that can develop anytime? Thankfully, it is only his tail that he is itching, bless him. He does tend to rip his fly sheets to shreds so I gave up using them but do you think a mesh wrap on his tail might work for the time being? Not sure how I will make one or if you can buy them though.
 
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