How to get rid of lice in a Shetland pony?

[Orchardbeck]

I've just been given a Shetland pony as a companion for my mare and she has started scratching herself on the fence like crazy, rubbing her tail, and standing on her own for hours. She is a bit shy having not had much handing in the past but I've been working on this. Yesterday I managed to get a good look in her coat and under her mane and found loads of lice eggs.

What is the best way to treat her? I've had ponies in the past that we scrubbed with medicated shampoo. Is this right or do I need something stronger? I really don't want to clip her if I can avoid it with the run up to winter, plus she has an amazing flaxen mane and tail - I don't want to hog her if we can also avoid it.

As she is trickier to handle and I'm still trying to win her trust, I'm going to have to be careful but she seems so depressed. I couldn't actually see lice, just skin flakes but there were definitely cream coloured eggs. Help!

 

[vieshot]

Ant powder.

 

[Micky]

Injection from the vet

 

[MiniMilton]

Vet can give you a very strong ointment that you put along her back.

 

[_HP_]

I use Coopers Fly Repellent Plus...its very good but is out of stock everywhere right now. I think it's due back in the shops soon though.

I would wash in this (Dermoline insecticidal shampoo)
http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-9210-der...&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CKi_98Tci7oCFY7HtAod3nEAug

And apply a lice powder afterwards and again in a couple weeks

 

[DuckToller]

I have a little shetland cross, and he is jolly cross when he gets lice.

I find that the lice powder never really does the job, due to the thickness of their coats. I have never tried the injection, so can't comment, but I would strongly recommend clipping at least some of her - if you clip now the coat will have grown back by the time the weather gets really foul.

Their coats are so thick that washing is tricky too in this weather - I have hair-dried mine with three willing teenagers and their hair driers as I couldn't get his tummy to dry after a bath once (he was playing the part of the donkey at a Christingle service on xmas eve, and was rather smelly!).

You could clip a section under her mane so it doesn't show or just do a blanket style clip as the lice seem to like the shoulder region so I like to clip that part out. But if she isn't used to being handled, clipping might be a bit traumatic for both of you - so you might need the injection as the best option after all!

 

[Orchardbeck]

Dermoline, that's the shampoo I used before, it seemed to work back then - she'll need something to get rid of the scurf anyway. Will give the vet a call too. Thanks!

 

[kellybee]

Coats are too thick to bath at this time of year generally speaking. I clip mine out in winter because she seems to overheat with the milder inland weather (especially days like yesterday!) and rug as appropriate to keep her comfortable. Personally I'd take the whole lot off except her legs and use powder every 2 weeks for 6 weeks, unless the clippers are too much for her in which case she might need a jab from the vet.

 

[muckypony]

Deosect! My shetlands had them last winter when their coats were thickest and it got in and did the trick without needing to clip, amazing stuff!

 

[Orchardbeck]

We've injected her with Dectomax on advice from the Vet, haven't been at home all day to observe whether she has itched or not but how long does it take to work?

If it is the other type of lice they have recommended the dectomax pour on for cattle, so we'll try that (OH has some for cattle). Vet said once upon a time demo line shampoo and lice powder would have sorted it, (I remember treating a foal successfully this way years ago) but he said neither has the same ingredients that they once did and are next to useless these days, particularly Dermoline shampoo!

Had considered clipping (she is quiet once I've got hold of her) but not really sure about rugging a Shetland! We'll see how she goes. Thanks all.

 

[_HP_]

Clipping is all well and good but you will still need to treat the lice infestation.

Regarding the rugging....I just give my shetland a high trace or blanket clip and don't bother rugging.

 

[MiniMilton]

We've injected her with Dectomax on advice from the Vet, haven't been at home all day to observe whether she has itched or not but how long does it take to work?

If it is the other type of lice they have recommended the dectomax pour on for cattle, so we'll try that (OH has some for cattle). Vet said once upon a time demo line shampoo and lice powder would have sorted it, (I remember treating a foal successfully this way years ago) but he said neither has the same ingredients that they once did and are next to useless these days, particularly Dermoline shampoo!

Yes over the counter stuff is useless

 

[xTrooperx]

I had this problem when I brought a companion, the powder didn't work, used daily for 2 wks the shampoo didn't work 2x baths in the end I brought spot on (for cattle) may have to sign disclaimed. But it really does work like magic.