Itchy tail...?

little_critter

little_critter

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My mare has started to rub her tail.
She's not had sweet itch before AFAIK and I can't think that there are many biting bugs around at this time of year.
I've had a look through the hair and can't see any lice / mites, it's just very scurfy.
So is it just a case if giving her tail a really good groom to get all the scurf out?
Or wash and groom?
Or something else?
And if I wash should I be using a medicated shampoo or some sort of soothing shampoo?
Sorry for all the questions - thought I'd better ask.

Oh and I had a look at her bum in case it's pinworm. Not 100% sure what I should be looking for but I can't see any little blighters or any mucus.
 
My boy does this sometimes when he gets too warm in his rug.

He used to do it badly when I first got him and the vet couldn't find anything - suggested it was a bug despite it being November time.

One day I thought I saw a worm coming out of his bottom but couldn't see it so kept checking and eventually caught a poop in a bucket and saw one coming out. I did some research and decided it was pin worm even though I'd never heard of it. I treated it with wormer and it went. A few months later he had the same problem and I treated it again. That was about 3 years ago and he's never had a re occurence since but as I said he will rub his tail if he gets too warm so I keep him lightly rugged now in comparison to before.
 
Have you checked under her tail (ie her bum?) I've noticed a lot of horses scratching their tails/backsides and it seems to be because they are getting manky under their tails, what with rugs having tail flaps these days, which means the horse can't lift it's tail right up and out of the way when it poops
 
I had a look at her bum this morning but not her dock.
I'll have a good look this evening and give ger a clean up just in case.

Would it be worth worming for pinworm just in case? I wormed for tapeworm 2 weeks ago and her egg count came back clear in July - but am I right that egg counts wouldn't pick up pinworm?
 
My mare started rubbing her tail/bum area and it was looking like sweet itch I got so concerned and I rang my vet... she instantly asked when she was last wormed said I had her worm counted and that was clear...PIN WORM doesnt show on this so she advised treating for this (Equest orally Equvlan (sp) 1/4 suringe smeared round her anus then the rest given in the anus - I did have to get a perscribtion to purchase both at same time from retailer to to the conditions around selling wormers) we are now 10days down the line and she is much happier and no longer rubbing!!
 
Best way to find pin worm is sift through the poo (wear some goves)

I would give her tail a good scrub with medicated shampoo as well and then maybe put some form of cooling gel massaged in, if you can bare it green oils is fantastic.

There is still biting insects about around here.
 
My mare was doing this for a while and was making a right mess of her tail. I checked her bum, tail and everywhere including the feathers on her legs as shes a Shire X Cob and very feathery. Turned out she had scurvy in her tail, mane and feathers and after a couple of baths with Head and Shoulders anti dandruff shamppo she is now clear of it and hasnt rubbed her tail since. When I did her feathers though I also used to comb them upwards quite a lot to help loosen the scurvy to get it out, then it used to just come out with my comb when it was combed normally. She has been scurvy free ever since, and I have to say she smelt lovely from the shampoo. People on the yard used to come over to see us just to hug/ smell her coz she smelt so nice and her coat was so shiny and soft. It was brill would definalty recomend using head and shoulders.
 
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