Horse mouth ulcer??

[Tnavas]

After reading previous posts last week, our vet was on a routine visit and one horse has these uclers.

They are nothing to do with bot larvae. Bot eggs spend 10 - 12 months in the stomach before being passed out through dropping, where in 1 -2 months they hatch as flies, so firstly totally the wrong time of the year, and secondly they do not pass out through the mouth, but through droppings.

The first stage of bot development is in the mouth, ulcers like the one shown can often be seen, you are currently in Bot Fly season with a vengence.

Horse licks hatching larvae which then burrows into the lips, gums or tongue. They then develop to a certain point where they hatch and are swallowed into the stomach and intestines where they complete their development.

Sores on the outside can be treated with Sudocreme, those on the inside with Bonjela.