Mange

[Sarah B]

Horse at our yard has been diagnosed today, mainly found underneath his mane. I don't know a huge deal about it, having no experience of it. We have 10 at our yard, all in close proximity and all are due to have first jabs Wednesday. Two others are showing signs of it. It is hugely contagious ? I.E no touching an infected horse and then a non infected ? Also, any ideas of the treatment involved - I understand it to be 2 lots of jabs ? Lovely for the first week after Christmas!

ETS I know I could "google" it, but it's always nice to have first hand info from others who have had dealings!

 

[Eaglestone]

My horse had Leg Mange over the summer, due to a biting midge, passing it on to him I believe and was treated succesfully using Switch. If that had not worked then he would have needed to have the Cattle Wormer injection, which I presume the horse at your yard may need.

I have another horse, who was not affected and I really do not think the rest of your yard need to worry too much ... I must admit, that when my Vet said Mange I thought of Foxes and then thought it would spread like wild fire. However if affected they need to be treated, as it can compromise their health, especially Cushings horses, like mine is.

I did google it at the time and felt there was nothing to worry about too much as long as it was treated.

I would just keep an eye on the other horses and have a chat with the Vet about your concerns

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

yup pretty much following what eaglestone said.

Mange is a mite (normally sarcoptic I think on the body, chorioptic mainly effects the legs, but can spready...) Therefore contact is only from direct contact, I dont believe you can spread the mite between the horses, however the environment can effect their survival as if hygiene is not intense they can survive (like cleaning out areas between horses etc.)

They are relatively easy to treat if you get ontop of the problem quickly, but it can be expensive and time consuming, but its worth it or else it is more expensive and time consuming to just keep repeating ineffective (due to poor compliance) treatment!

So its good uv got ontop of it now, keep it up and I am sure it will clear up in no time!

Hopefully the cold weather etc will kill some of the little buggers off too!