Clydesdale with recurring feather mites

[sasha1414]

Hi,
I have a just turned 4 year old Clydesdale mare who has had frequent bouts of feather mites and then as a result a tendency for mud fever. I have had this treated multiple times with the vet giving her courses of dectomax (2 injections 2 weeks apart), the last being only a month ago however she's already itching and getting some scabs. All her feather was clipped off last month which didn't seem to have much of an effect on keeping the mites at bay and also meant she was prone to sunburn on her legs. I've purchased some nettex feather mite powder in an attempt to keep them at bay but would really like some advice from others who have this problem. I've read that feeding a supplement aimed at horses prone to skin allergies can help keep the horse comfortable and less itchy so wondered if anyone has had any success with this. Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[mjcssjw2]

mmm, i cant seem to keep my horse free of the ******* either, but then i notice a lot of the horses at the yard stomping and chewing there heels is just there owners dont
i wash with dermoline every time i catch my horse having a go at his heels, I use some stuff lime sulphur solution that you dilute and put it on there heels it stinks (of eggs) but seems to be pretty good and when i get desperate i frontline him, but i wouldn't recommend that if his heels are sore/weeping

 

[Tiddlypom]

I've read that feeding a supplement aimed at horses prone to skin allergies can help keep the horse comfortable and less itchy so wondered if anyone has had any success with this. Thank you in advance for your help!

A good general supplement such as Pro Hoof or Balance, plus micronised linseed and salt, are good for general health and particularly skin health. It certainly helps my mite and dermatitis prone cob.

Ditto the above comment about using dermoline shampoo occasionally in addition to this.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I try to keep legs dry, as IME wetting the skin makes it more irritated - like wetting excema - I clipped the feather off in early spring and we stopped feeding haylage, went back to hay which seems to have made quite a difference. I spray her legs with tea-tree mist, if I do see her Brewer's yeast in her feed.
This regime has been more effective than anything else, including Dectomax.

 

[sasha1414]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll arm myself with some dermoline shampoo and a good supplement to help keep her skin healthy. I don't think she'll ever be completely rid of them but hopefully I can keep them at bay and make sure she's happy and comfortable.

 

[cambrica]

Frontline works well, then follow up with pig oil and sulphur.
We used to use that on a shire we had after being recommended it at the Heavy horse show. Works a treat but patch test first.

 

[Cahill]

Frontline works well, then follow up with pig oil and sulphur.
We used to use that on a shire we had after being recommended it at the Heavy horse show. Works a treat but patch test first.

2 treatments of frontline a week apart cleared mine and didn't have to take feather off.
always have pig oil and flowers of sulphur in my tack room

 

[sasha1414]

Thanks for the frontline advice, can I ask what form do I need to buy it in and where do I apply it? Sorry that sounds really basic, I mean do I need drops applied to a certain part of the leg or is there a spray that needs to be applied to the feathers?

 

[deb_l222]

Awww I do feel your pain as my boy (also a Clydesdale) is an extreme serial scratcher!!

I've seriously tried everything under the sun but nothing has a lasting effect. Switching from hayleage to hay made no difference, straw to shavings - no difference. He has no sugar in his diet, a very good balancer and is otherwise is fabulous health.

I had to clip his feathers last year, for surgery, but this made no difference either and he actually did more damage as they were actually protecting his legs (they're there for a reason).

I know people rate pig oil and sulphur but as someone has already said, be careful as sulphur can cause an extreme reaction in pink/sensitive skin.

Good luck in your quest for an itch free neddy!!

 

[cambrica]

Thanks for the frontline advice, can I ask what form do I need to buy it in and where do I apply it? Sorry that sounds really basic, I mean do I need drops applied to a certain part of the leg or is there a spray that needs to be applied to the feathers?

The frontline we buy in a spray with a funnel type top, designed for dogs but the vet recommends it. It only needs one squirt into the feathers so it contacts with the skin. If she doesn't like the spray then apply with cotton wool. You could try just the pig oil without the sulphur, we use it around the harvest mite time and it stops all stamping.

 

[Welshboy]

My HW cob is a sufferer too. I keep his legs clipped and have had success with 2 x dectomax injections - lasted 6 months. Also Frontline spray 10 days apart has worked well. After the dectomax or frontline, I keep his legs clipped and wash them every couple of weeks with Selsun shampoo (from chemist/boots). It has an anti dandruff type action which removes scurf and therefore the habitat that mites enjoy. It's does seem to really help keep on top of the situation - one bottle will last about two washes and costs £5.80

 

[deb_l222]

Just seen your last post about frontline.

You can only get frontline from a vets as it's classed as a medicine. It will have to come from a small animal practice though as it's not licenced for horses - I say it's for the dogs.

Buy the spray, not the drops, as horse skin isn't the same as dogs/cats and the drops won't absorb the same. I've just bought a 250ml spray and it was 40 quid. Three or four squirts onto each leg should be more than enough then repeat in a couple of weeks.

My horse vets also do a liquid dectomax so that might be worth an ask.

 

[cambrica]

Just seen your last post about frontline.

You can only get frontline from a vets as it's classed as a medicine. It will have to come from a small animal practice though as it's not licenced for horses - I say it's for the dogs.

Buy the spray, not the drops, as horse skin isn't the same as dogs/cats and the drops won't absorb the same. I've just bought a 250ml spray and it was 40 quid. Three or four squirts onto each leg should be more than enough then repeat in a couple of weeks.

My horse vets also do a liquid dectomax so that might be worth an ask.

If you can get a prescription from your vets Frontline 250ml is only £24 from Hyperdrug.

 

[sasha1414]

Thank you so much for all your helpful replies, the frontline definitely sounds like it's worth a try so I'll pop to my small animal vets and tell them it's for my dogs. I had also queried if removing the feather entirely would do more harm than good so thanks for sharing your experience deb_l222 and it's great to know there are others with heavies and similar experiences. Her feathers are now mid-length so are providing sun protection again and I tend to find they help to protect the skin from mud etc. I do use pig oil as a protector from mud but could do a patch test of pig oil and sulphur and see if that would help. Thanks again

 

[jojo5]

Just to add - as other posters have said - I have had to remove my boys feathers twice in the last two years ( for other reasons) and this made no difference to his mites, and I too felt that the feathers were protective for his legs. Have had dectomax (used to work but not so much now), lime wash (good but smells horrible and difficult to get through to skin), pig oil with sulphur (ok but not convinced ), Nettex (ok). Haven't tried Dermoline or Selsun as it happens so they are next on the list!

 

[OWLIE185]

We wash with a medicated shampoo called Sedalin (Can buy on-line). Works a treat.

 

[Tronk]

I had an Ardennes who suffered terribly with feather mite - until someone on here advised me to use dog flea collars on each leg! Cheap, cheerful and worked a treat!

Before that I'd used the pig oil and sulphur method which, although it worked, was very messy and unpleasant!

 

[Beausmate]

My vet prescribed an ivermectin wash for our cob's possible case of mites. Worked out cheaper than Frontline, but you have to make sure you wash the whole leg, up to elbows/stifles and along the belly. Never did know if it was mites or not, but he's not been even slightly itchy since and that's after two years. He does have sallenders/mallenders though, which is treated by rubbing E45 cream into the crusty bits every night. I tried pig oil and sulphur, but the sulphur got onto his sheath whilst he was lying down and caused a skin reaction.

 

[sasha1414]

Thanks everyone you've given me lots of good options and some hope! I'll give your recommendations a go and hopefully I'll have a less itchy and happier mare

 

[Cahill]

frontline pump spray(not the pipettes),buy from vets and say it is for your dog.
not licenced for horses but vet recommended.just remember to treat again a week later.

ps,have never had sore winter hands since using p.oil+sul.

 

[sasha1414]

Hi,

Apologies for this probably ridiculous question but I noticed yesterday I'd gotten into a habit of picking my mares scabs as she gets mud fever due to the weakened skin and hence I pick off those scabs and treat them but I believe any scabs now will only be due to feather mites so the question is do I continue to pick the scabs as you would with mud fever or should I be leaving them except for making sure they are clean and disinfected?

Thanks!

 

[STRIKER]

Neem oil is brilliant for mud fever aswell.

As for the mites aside from the topical treatments and worming and injections, i would look at treating from the inside i.e. The horses immune system, bio plus is good, also what supps is the horse getting, is it correct or is it getting too much of one type, this can cause skin issues which can be perceived as being mites but is something else.

This is just another avenue to look at and as with all my posts my suggestion is for one to think about it and if it makes sense then ask further from your vet, I in no way am telling you that this what you must do.

Hope you find a solution.

 

[RutlandH2O]

We wash with a medicated shampoo called Sedalin (Can buy on-line). Works a treat.

Are you sure it's Sedalin? There's a mild sedative gel given to horses for stressful situations and for keeping them a bit more controlled after surgery, called Sedalin. Perhaps you are thinking of another product.

My Shires have been on twice yearly doses of Dectomax (3 injections, 10 days apart) for years. However, I think they are becoming sensitised to the mite bites as the drug wears off. I am now on a blitzing programme of attack whereby the horses' field shelter has been completely swept out and heavily dusted with diatomaceous earth. The horses' feather has been saturated to the skin with Switch before they were permitted in the shelter. Their winter accommodation, a 45' x 90' pole barn, has been swept out, removing all bedding, hay, cobwebs, troughs, and toys, and the entire floor substantially coated with diatomaceous earth. All corners and crevices have been filled with DE using large puffer bottles (proper face masks are utilised during the application process). Having used pig oil and sulphur for years with no joy, I've gone the DE route. I keep chickens and, for years, I battled scaly legs. I learned about DE from a chicken fancier some 4 years ago. Since then, I have NEVER had a scaly leg problem and my red mite problem is almost nil (the DE is mixed in the hens' bedding, nest boxes, dust bath, and mash). I figure, if those mites are controlled by DE, why not the horses' mites? Since the DE is not a chemical, but works by a physical action, I don't have to worry about another chemical entering their bodies. I was given the go-ahead to do this by a well-respected equine dermatologist. If I can avoid shaving the horses' legs, that's a bonus. If I wanted smooth-legged horses, I certainly would never have acquired Shires!

 

[Cahill]

the mites burrow under the skin so,once you are rid of them,the skin in the folds with always be prone to being course/rough,this is where the pig oil/sulphur can help .

 

[GGMM09]

2 treatments of frontline a week apart cleared mine and didn't have to take feather off.
always have pig oil and flowers of sulphur in my tack room

what frontline and how much do you use please?

 

[cblover]

I have Clyde/shire yearling and a Clyde/shire/welsh cob, both are the feathered type obviously. I feed micronised linseed oil and salt to them but they can still itch their feathers. Frontline is good, as are dectomax injections but I'm finding lincolns's muddy buddy cream and powder to be effective too. The cream clears up the scabs from mud fever and the powder is a barrier. Good luck!

 

[jgmbng]

Selsun medicated shampoo (selenium sulphide) worked for mine. Wash 3 times 5 days apart. We have had a good 4 months itch free using this method, however I can tell we are due for another 'dose' as he has started nibbling again.

 

[Hexx]

I started using Nizoral for my boy's mud fever - you get it at the Chemist, but, sadly, it only comes in small bottles. I found it better than any other shampoo and it definitely made a difference. He was also always drenched in pig oil!

Good old sudocreme works wonders for scabs - if they are really bad - sudocreme up and then cover with clingfilm - leave on overnight and then when you take the clingfilm off the scabs come too - very soothing.

 

[Sukistokes2]

Throwing a spanner in the works are you sure its mites. Could it be sellenders and mellenders (also called grease by some ) , an over production of keratin. Gives you very similar symptoms and is often confused with mites. Therefore the injections are of no value. Its back to pig oil and sulphur, or hibi scrub which gave good results.

 

[GGMM09]

Throwing a spanner in the works are you sure its mites. Could it be sellenders and mellenders (also called grease by some ) , an over production of keratin. Gives you very similar symptoms and is often confused with mites. Therefore the injections are of no value. Its back to pig oil and sulphur, or hibi scrub which gave good results.

Not sure if this was to me or not?

But......Nope, I am not 100% sure it's mite, only the stamping is the sign she is showing. She hasn't got any scabby areas or hugely greasy patches though? I did her with PO&S last week and ordered some more so will do her every week and see how she goes. Also done her 2 days in a row with Nettex Mite powder recently.