Lice and rugs

[DellaMoon]

Amongst other problems the vet thinks my new mare might have lice. She's very scurfy but despite a lot of searching he couldn't find any. He's suggested treating her with a powder just in case. So, what do I do about her rugs? I will get them all cleaned but do a need to put a cleaned rug on her straight after applying the powder? Just thinking of my rug cleaning bill as it will need to be cleaned again after. How long do you leave the powder on?

Many thanks!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Is she itchy as well DellaMoon? My rescue Shetland Molly had a scurfy staring coat on arrival and was scratching and nibbling at herself more than I would have thought normal. Me and the vet had a good look and coiuldn't see any teeny white specks creeping slowly about but I decided to treat her as if she did have lice. My vets have told me that most louse powders aren't much cop except for prevention - I use Frontline Spray (dog one) and spray down mane, spine, tail root and anywhere else she seemed itchy. Rub well in and repeat after 10 - 14 days because eggs are unharmed by louse products and will hatch out in 10 - 14 days and re-infest the horse! Molly doesn't have any rugs yet so that wasn't a problem but if you want to do a thorough job you need to treat the rugs, numnahs, stable doors with the same product. You don't need to put a rug on after you've treated your horse but it won't hurt if you do. Thinner rugs sometimes cram into my washing machine to save on bills - as hot as poss would kill any lice. Thicker rugs can be beaten senseless draped over a wall then cover them in louse powder - that should be good enough!