Bald patches & itchiness

SaffronWelshDragon

SaffronWelshDragon

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Hi everyone,

My 24 year old Welsh A mare has developed a number of bald patches around the top of her neck, and also under her mane. Some of these patches are a just bare skin and some are bit red and the skin is damaged where she's been itching. To be honest, I've not really seen her scratching that much (I'm usually there between 4-6pm). I know she has sweet itch as she's had it for years and usually it affects her forelock and tail.

Any ideas as to what this could be? I'm concerned it could be mites / lice (same thing?) however my other ponies aren't affected.

Thanks in advance, I'll try to get a photo tomorrow.
 
I would definitely suspect lice. If you part the mane back to the skin you may be lucky enough to spot them running for it or possibly eggs. I would treat for lice to be on the safe side. I wouldn't use lice powder though as it isn't particularly effective. I would go for something like Coopers fly repellent as that kills lice as well as being a good fly repellent.
 
Thanks spike, I've heard that Coopers is good stuff, shame it's expensive but I'll order some anyway. BTW, it says the whole body should be treated for lice, how am I to do this? Pour it on a sponge and rub it all over, like the method for flies?

Thanks again
 
Mine had lice last year, brought in by a short-term lodger. Two had virtually no symptoms, the third had skin falling off in large chunks which was a bit scary. I treated them all with Switch from the vet (I don't think you need a prescription) which is a systemic pour-on, so you just tip it along their spine and it's absorbed and travels around the body. It's not cheap either but it seemed to do the trick.
 
Right, my Coopers has arrived, going to do a test patch tonight. Can I just ask, when I apply it, I reaslise it's got to be all over the body, but does it have to go right down to the skin, or just wipe it all over her coat? Not keen on giving her a bath in the stuff if I can help it as it's megabucks.
 
You will also have to do the other ponies she is in contact with, even if on the other side of a fence. I have known ponies in the same field to react totally differently- one with only 2 viewable lice with bald patches and another with load not rubbing at all!

When applying pay most attention to under the forelock and along the topline of the horse and between front and back legs but you do have to try and get the whole body. The amount to use per bodyweight is on the box.
 
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