Lice once again

[Vintage]

Hi there, newby here!


5 years ago my veteran horse had lice - infested with them, and it took considerable effort to get rid of them. He detests baths, so I wasn't his number 1 fan for quite a while. It took quite a while to get rid of them, and for the past 3 years, he's been clean.

He was clipped a month ago, everywhere aside from his underbelly, legs and face (missed off the belly as my clipper motor packed in ) His last bath was in August (for no other reason than being filthy) - No signs of anything. He has had Cushings the past 2 years, so I keep a close eye on his skin and coat.

Yesterday, looking at a bit of a swelling on his shoulder (unsure where that came from, possibly my youngster nipping him the day before) and spotted a crawler. In a few places, he's got about 6 either striped or the yellowy white types of lice/louse/mite.



For the past 5 years, my horses have lived together with no contact from other horses, so I'm thinking;

Can they come from other creatures, such as the 5 Pheasants that roam the horses paddocks, we have a lot of pigeons or the deer that sometimes visit (Have had my very first Tick on my biggest horse earlier this year)


Or maybe he's had them all along and just in such a low number they've never been spotted (despite all the clipping in the past) and have now scaled in enough members to be noticed? I feel like a negligent owner for not spotting them if that was the case.



I'm a little disappointed for him as he's not going to like me all over again now! I plan to clip him again (sporting a bit of a wool again) and bathe with Coopers repellant.. The powder in the past I have found hasn't been effective and I am a little wary of using chemicals on him due to us both having sensitive skin.

Any help very much appreciated by us both!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I think he's probably had them all along, linked maybe with his Cushings, and only now spotted in his new clean shaven look! I'm sure you know they can live in wood, on trees, in rugs, bedding, you name it, for ages! You don't have to bath your lad, I use Frontline spray down the obvious reservoir spots such as down the centre of the mane, root of tail etc etc. Rub well in to skin level and repeat after 10 days. You might have to get used to doing this a coupole of times a year because of the Cushings. Is it well controlled, ie Pergolide or Prascend? Prascend has really come down in price now as sales reps have realised that owners are buying it off the internet for half the price vets were able to sell it at!

 

[Vintage]

Thank you for your quick reply! His coat is growing out again (you can tell he's been clipped, but the long 'cat hairs'? are becoming thicker, if that makes sense?) so it's possible they've climbed along those and have spotted them that way?

They've only been on this property a year, but I'm unsure as to the condition of the previous horses.. I'm just praying my others don't get them - in the previous years, they were all out together and no one picked up any from him, and ideally would like to keep it that way!
That is good news about the bathing, I think he'd forgive me if I did that! Has Frontline always worked for you?

It is yes He's been on Prascend for about 15 months now - so far so good! Due for another blood test in Feb to recheck everything, but after the last up-dose he's been the best since he was diagnosed, really pleased!

 

[Foxhunter49]

Neem Oil!

Neem oil is brilliant stuff and great with any creepy crawlies.

2 tablespoons Neem, 2 liquid soap and add 1 litre of hot water.

If he dislikes baths then I would just sponge this over him. You do not need a lot to cover them and, as I said it will kill the beggars off.
I would repeat after 10 days although it does stay on them for some time.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My donkey has loads sores scabs open wounds all over.


Those damn foxes poor melody

 

[Vintage]

Ouch, poor girl!

Just wanted to say thanks for the replies - I got some Coopers & a different type of louse powder and applied last week. I was actually amazed at how quickly it worked. I'm yet to clip again & do a reapply, however he is much happier (and possibly very glad he's escaped a bath, for now) The others are still clear, though have given them all a wipe over too.

Thank you all!