Feather mites not getting better

Parksmum3

Parksmum3

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Apologies now for the lengthy post but want to give as much information as possible.

P has been battling feather mites now since Christmas time. He has had feather mite in the past but wasn’t as bad as he is now and all was sorted with dectomax injections.

It all started I noticed he was doing the classic double stomping with his back legs. Also something new for him he wasn’t putting his Willy back into his sheath properly. Had the vet out to have a feel, found a very small bean but nothing untoward, he’s grey so I worry about melanomas, he has some small ones under his dock. He has also gone lame behind due to so much stomping.

He is on Bute and has been since this started. He’s had the 2 dectomax injections, I’ve clipped his legs, used farriers mite shampoo, he’s had frontline, he’s had farriers biosect spray and nothing seems to be working. He is now a very unhappy boy, I can’t pick his hooves out any more as he will not tolerate his legs being handled at all. The farrier who I’ve had for the last 20years couldn’t trim him as he just barges past. Can’t tie him up as he will break off, but getting someone to hold him he just barges through or threatens to bite if you try to hold him still. This is not like him AT ALL. Vet says to keep trying topical lotions but it’s now at the point I cannot handle his legs. Anyone one got tips or advice I’d greatly appreciate it
 
You mention using frontline. Did you do a regular 10 day treatment alongside a bedding changed and environment disinfect. I have just had a struggle with mites and it took a disciplined routine to sort it out, treating each 10 days for several months. Have you had the life cycle of mites explained to you.

The hatching cycle needs to be broken and by the sounds of your explanation sedation is needed to help him. It is a nightmare of a problem.
 
He lives out but I've disinfectant brushes, metal hay feeder, everything I can think of. Frontline I was just told to spray and then spray again 10 days later. I've tried using the farriers shampoo and spray that are supposed to paralyse, then re do in 7 days. Ive also been treating little B incase if cross contamination. Will speak to the vet about sedalin. Thank you
 
Fully clipped?
If so get hold of cydectin (liquid cattle wormer) and wash the legs with it. It's recommended by the CPL page and I can confirm it works. I also use piriton which seems to take the edge off the itching.
 
SEL said:
Fully clipped?
If so get hold of cydectin (liquid cattle wormer) and wash the legs with it. It's recommended by the CPL page and I can confirm it works. I also use piriton which seems to take the edge off the itching.
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Just legs been clipped. Looks ridiculous as could only do the best I could whilst trying not be be run over but need to get right to the skin to treat
 
If they're doing the classic foot stamping, rubbing legs together and biting at their lower legs to itch, then it's feather mites. No need for skin scraping. Vets have no idea how to treat it anymore. Dectomax injection is all they've got and there's increasing immunity to that. Hence why you have to shift to stuff gor cattle.
 
Cydectin, speak to your vet about it,it usnt licenced for horses but worth having a conversation about. Google is your friend here. Find evidence that it works abd show to vet. The belgian draft pages have good jnfo on it. .you state you used a frontline spay.if you want to try front line again so for largest size. I find the pipettes more effective. At least one on each leg.
 
Feather mites are not blood feeders. They live and breed in skin debris, dandruff etc.. If you are able to shampoo his legs, Selsun 2.5% shampoo (not Selsun Blue) will clean the skin and remove mites. Treat on day 1, day 5 and day 10 to clear any hatching eggs. This is a cheap, effective solution that works for my old cob.
 
I used a similar sounding shampoo to the one described by Highmileagecob, the one I had was called Seleen. It's a small bottle but you dilute it down and it makes enough to treat the legs several times. My pony was also difficult but once he'd had time to think about it he realised how soothing it felt while I was doing the shampooing and he would stand there wobbling his lip as I applied it.
Once I was sure I'd killed them all I would apply pig oil mixed with flowers of sulphur once a week, to keep them away. This worked well also.
It's a pity he's got so sensitive about it but it must be driving him mad. Hopefully sedation will help to do the treatment and he will go back to normal once his legs aren't so sore.
 
Highmileagecob said:
Feather mites are not blood feeders. They live and breed in skin debris, dandruff etc.. If you are able to shampoo his legs, Selsun 2.5% shampoo (not Selsun Blue) will clean the skin and remove mites. Treat on day 1, day 5 and day 10 to clear any hatching eggs. This is a cheap, effective solution that works for my old cob.
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Thanks, I will get some of that shampoo and try it. Will try just about anything right now to help him, poor boy
 
Parksmum3 said:
Thanks, I will get some of that shampoo and try it. Will try just about anything right now to help him, poor boy
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My Ardennes suffered badly so this was the agreed vet protocol

Clip (i sedated)
Wash with an anti dandruff shampoo to shift grease / dead skin etc
Second wash with a flea shampoo (pet shop)
Third rinse with either cydectin or ivermectin cattle wormer. I did the first round while he was still sedated but followed up at 10 day intervals with a big syringe and rubbing it in with gloves on.

It works.
 
I currently use Beaphar FIPROtec - Spot on solution for dogs. I purchase it online and use 1 pittette per leg. I apply to clean and dry legs and apply it in the well of the heal bulb making sure that it sits on the skin rather than in the hair. Repeat in 7-10 days time.

I would also clip legs off if they are really bad and wash with malaseb shampoo from the vets to help with itching once per week until issue has gone. Avoid letting the horse stand on any hay or straw or in deep mud.

Is the horse well otherwise? It sounds like there is something else going on if you can't now handle the horses legs, do they have CPL or similar?

​

 
lialls said:
I currently use Beaphar FIPROtec - Spot on solution for dogs. I purchase it online and use 1 pittette per leg. I apply to clean and dry legs and apply it in the well of the heal bulb making sure that it sits on the skin rather than in the hair. Repeat in 7-10 days time.

I would also clip legs off if they are really bad and wash with malaseb shampoo from the vets to help with itching once per week until issue has gone. Avoid letting the horse stand on any hay or straw or in deep mud.

Is the horse well otherwise? It sounds like there is something else going on if you can't now handle the horses legs, do they have CPL or similar?

​

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Very mild cpl yes
 
Agree cydectin is the way to go. My hairy beast got them and it even got rid without clipping.

The cpl site has a link to the vetinary research on Belgian drafts, get your vet to read and they'll hopefully give you a script.
 
Sounds like a nightmare!
What bedding is he on? Mine had mite like symptoms and they only went when i changed his bedding from straw to pellets. Could be worth a try?
 
Parksmum3 said:
Apologies now for the lengthy post but want to give as much information as possible.

P has been battling feather mites now since Christmas time. He has had feather mite in the past but wasn’t as bad as he is now and all was sorted with dectomax injections.

It all started I noticed he was doing the classic double stomping with his back legs. Also something new for him he wasn’t putting his Willy back into his sheath properly. Had the vet out to have a feel, found a very small bean but nothing untoward, he’s grey so I worry about melanomas, he has some small ones under his dock. He has also gone lame behind due to so much stomping.

He is on Bute and has been since this started. He’s had the 2 dectomax injections, I’ve clipped his legs, used farriers mite shampoo, he’s had frontline, he’s had farriers biosect spray and nothing seems to be working. He is now a very unhappy boy, I can’t pick his hooves out any more as he will not tolerate his legs being handled at all. The farrier who I’ve had for the last 20years couldn’t trim him as he just barges past. Can’t tie him up as he will break off, but getting someone to hold him he just barges through or threatens to bite if you try to hold him still. This is not like him AT ALL. Vet says to keep trying topical lotions but it’s now at the point I cannot handle his legs. Anyone one got tips or advice I’d greatly appreciate it
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Has he had topical steroids, you can by 1% hydrocortisone over the counter? It will not kill the mites but may help with the irritation. In the old days they sold Green oil with steroid in. Also an antihistamine to see if it will settle the reaction, and enable to treat the mites.
 
Catbird said:
Sounds like a nightmare!
What bedding is he on? Mine had mite like symptoms and they only went when i changed his bedding from straw to pellets. Could be worth a try?
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He has been staying out a few nights here and there but is on straw pellets under shavings when in. I've emptied the stable and put all fresh bedding in, but stupidly didn't think about disinfectant. He has stayed out tonight but will empty the stable and disinfect over the weekend incase he has to come back in. It's horrible to see him so uncomfortable
 
honetpot said:
Has he had topical steroids, you can by 1% hydrocortisone over the counter? It will not kill the mites but may help with the irritation. In the old days they sold Green oil with steroid in. Also an antihistamine to see if it will settle the reaction, and enable to treat the mites.
Click to expand...
Have not tried this, definitely something I will look at, thank you
 
I used to have a TB that had recurring lice, they loved him non of the others had them. I sprayed Inderex spray on his rugs which stops them hatching and as well as kills live ones.https://www.animed.co.uk/indorex-defence-household-flea-spray-500ml?gclsrc=aw.ds&campaignid=23566265686&adgroupid&keyword&device=c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23556345966
If its sprayed on leg wraps it may help but of course there is always a can it could irritate the skin. I sprayed it on my carpets for moths and unfortunately it killed my house spiders.
 
honetpot said:
I used to have a TB that had recurring lice, they loved him non of the others had them. I sprayed Inderex spray on his rugs which stops them hatching and as well as kills live ones.https://www.animed.co.uk/indorex-defence-household-flea-spray-500ml?gclsrc=aw.ds&campaignid=23566265686&adgroupid&keyword&device=c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23556345966
If its sprayed on leg wraps it may help but of course there is always a can it could irritate the skin. I sprayed it on my carpets for moths and unfortunately it killed my house spiders.
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Any impact on flies coming into your house, did you note? And did it eliminate the moths?
 
Exasperated said:
Any impact on flies coming into your house, did you note? And did it eliminate the moths?
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No more moths apart from the ones from outside which I would find dead by the window. Flies perhaps less, but it was getting to the end of the season.
I have got moth spray, but the Inderex because its a very fine mist gets in the small cracks without moving furniture. I am sad about the spiders but I have less cobwebs.
 
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