Trekker
Well-Known Member
Hi, Im just buying my first pony..the vet says he has feather mites and he has been treated with a dectamax injection. Can feather mites cause the pony to be mildly lame?
Can feather mites cause lameness?
- Thread starter Trekker
- Start date
Dizzydancer
Well-Known Member
Hi my veteran gets feather mites, he does also have arthritis but when he has a flare up of mites or he is beginning to show signs as his legs havn't been clipped for too long he does get a bit short in his stride and looks slightly lame due to the fact they are uncomfortable. So yes if the pony has got them badly at present it could make him slightly lame but if you are buying pony make sure you have him vetted if not already as it could be any number of things.
hayinamanger
Well-Known Member
Chorioptic mange mites can be the indirect cause of lameness in long term/chronic cases. If left untreated the horse will constantly stamp his feet which affects the joints eventually. Also the horse will rub and scratch his legs on any available object, whether it is safe to do so or not and can injure himself in his attempts to get some relief from the itching.
In some cases the skin on the legs around the fetlock area becomes very thickened, often with large areas of massively swollen tissue, this would be enough to affect the mobility of the joint and cause lameness.
In some cases the skin on the legs around the fetlock area becomes very thickened, often with large areas of massively swollen tissue, this would be enough to affect the mobility of the joint and cause lameness.
Rose Folly
Well-Known Member
Yes I would think so. My horse has something akin to feather mites at present and she's very sore and pottery.
Theresa_F
Well-Known Member
Yes if the legs have not been looked after and left, the skin can thicken and have permanent folds which get can get infected. If you want loads of information about mites and preventation, send me a PM with an email address and I will send it to you.