LICE! Again!

[SG_Bunny]

My little Shetland is constantly getting lice. I keep treating them effectively but they keep coming back. I even hogged her in September to try stop them, but they have come back again. I clipped her head and neck out yesterday and she was absolutely covered in them. I've bathed her in insecticidal shampoo and covered her in lice powder.

She is extremely well looked after gets brushed every other day, wormed regularly and in at night. Does anyone know what I can do to try and stop them keep coming back? I'd like to try and avoid clipping her out fully, as she doesn't like having a rug on in the stable and rips them off. Any advice tips welcome!

 

[be positive]

You are obviously not getting rid of them fully, just missing killing a few eggs will allow them to hatch and the cycle starts again, clipping will not solve the problem just make it slightly easier to find them and treat, you probably need something more effective than louse powder and an insecticidal shampoo to kill them off completely, the stable also needs to be cleared out fully to ensure none remain hidden in the bedding or left on any wood that she can rub against.

Also check she is not in contact with other animals that are harbouring them.

 

[muckypony]

What have you been using to treat them?

 

[be positive]

I have not seen lice for many years so can offer no advice on the best treatment other than knowing powder is not very effective nowadays and that the shampoo will only kill some of them and probably not the eggs, if you don't get further replies go in tack room and ask there, more viewers to give their experiences but expect numerous different suggestions.

 

[muckypony]

My two Shetlands had lice one winter. Horrible!! I got rid using Deosect, once every 2 weeks until gone.

Be positive is right, powders and shampoos are useless especially when you are tackling a Shetlands winter coat!

 

[Scatterbrain]

My vet recommended treating with Switch when I bought a new horse in and discovered he had lice. Simple to apply and worked a treat.

 

[samlf]

you aren't treating them correctly. lice powder is a repellent not a treatment. insecticidal shampoo isn't particularly effective either.

You need to treat with deosect every two weeks until you are 100% sure there are no lice, then use it monthly.

Also you need to wash all the horses brushes/headcollars/numnahs etc on a 60 degree wash before you use them again. if the horse is rugged they will need to be washed straight away or the horse will just keep being reinfected.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

you aren't treating them correctly. lice powder is a repellent not a treatment. insecticidal shampoo isn't particularly effective either.

You need to treat with deosect every two weeks until you are 100% sure there are no lice, then use it monthly.

Also you need to wash all the horses brushes/headcollars/numnahs etc on a 60 degree wash before you use them again. if the horse is rugged they will need to be washed straight away or the horse will just keep being reinfected.

This ^

 

[LittleBlackMule]

I would agree with others, that Deosect is really the most effective treatment, but there is another point that hasn't been mentioned.
A truly healthy horse is unlikely to suffer badly with lice, it's immune system will not provide a hospitable environment for them. As your pony is suffering from repeat infestations I would suggest it is lacking in vitamins and/or minerals, and that a small amount of feed with a quality supplement (alongside effective treatment) may help in the long term.