Lice or sweet itch?

pinklilly

pinklilly

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I've taken in a pony which is not mine and was returned from loan in a slightly poor condition, however I found some old bald patches on it but the bald patches are increasing day by day and it's constantly itching itself on posts etc. It doesn't seem to be scrubbing it's mane and tail hence I assumed it has lice but the owner says it's allergic to midges... Surely this would be sweet itch then? Got the vet coming on Tuesday to do it's teeth and have a look at it.
 
Sweet itch normally causes them to rub mane and tail, other areas will be affected but usually after m&t are rubbed, it sounds more like lice to me.
 
check under the forelock at the roots or part the hair, you should be able to see eggs or lice if they are present.
 
you'd have to identify which lice they are first, biting ( they feed on dead skin) or the blood sucking types.
With the biting lice shampoo treatment is probably best, deosect etc followed by a second treatment few weeks later to kill any lice left behind or newly hatched.

blood ones I think you can get a injection from the vet for those, though I imagine they can also be treated with shampoo.

So I would say at least a few weeks to catch them all and break their life cycle?
 
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That's not great news for me as moving house next weekend and my horse is moving to livery ( he's been in contact with pony ) but never mind will see what the vet says on Tuesday :( but thank you
 
Hi, it could be lice. Some poor horses next to my field are coverd in them and the owners been warned by WHW but she still hasn't done anything about it. They rub constantly on the trees and have patches missing on their face. I found it easier to see the eggs when I parted the hair on the shoulders than looking in the mane.
 
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