Mites.... interim help!

[Dyllymoo]

So J stamped 3 times out on a hack about a month ago and on closer inspection his legs were a bit warm and scurfy. Dealer did mention that his old owners had given him the injection for mites.

Vet called and booked in for injection. He had his first one and I was told to cold hose his legs off after any exercise that might cause him to sweat a bit and towel dry rigorously, which I did. He then had a second injection 2 weeks later. I had seen no stomping or nibbling of his legs in this 2 week period until the morning of his 2nd injection. Vet said a 3rd injection would not be likely but to keep an eye. That was 8th November. He stamped 7 times with his back right leg out hacking on Saturday BUT he stopped when we met a horse he didn't know (a lady my hacking friend did know) and we joined them for a bit of the hack and then they left us, then he stomped twice in some long grass. I have seen him nibble his front legs slightly this weekend as well.

I did wash his legs on Saturday after the hack and gave him a good rough towel dry. They don't feel as irritated as they did before. No stamping on a long hack on Sunday either.

My main question is, is there anything I can do to help keep the mites at bay? Do you think I need to get a 3rd injection or just try an interim measure?

He is on Snowflake Softchip bedding so no straw.

Any suggestions? Do you think I should clip out his legs or will that make him a target for mud fever (they aren't big feathers but just starting to grow out of a clip really).

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Following this with interest: you may have to clip the legs to get a look at what the extent of the problem may be, but this isn't the best time of year to do this TBH as yes you are liable to increase the likelihood of mud-fever developing.

My vet advised me to spray Frontline on my horse's legs; you need the bigger version of the spray, the one for bigger dogs basically........ (got mine at VioVet, ehmmmm, you have to say you have a dog of a certain weight in order to get the stuff, but I was purchasing it on vets advice so didn't have any qualms about a little fib ).

 

[Dyllymoo]

Following this with interest: you may have to clip the legs to get a look at what the extent of the problem may be, but this isn't the best time of year to do this TBH as yes you are liable to increase the likelihood of mud-fever developing.

My vet advised me to spray Frontline on my horse's legs; you need the bigger version of the spray, the one for bigger dogs basically........ (got mine at VioVet, ehmmmm, you have to say you have a dog of a certain weight in order to get the stuff, but I was purchasing it on vets advice so didn't have any qualms about a little fib ).

His legs aren't massively hairy so I can see under the hair and the vet said not to clip but I'm unsure now.

Hmmm that's interesting. I have just ordered some Oil 2 Horse to see if this helps him. Who said cobs were easy?!

 

[Hack4fun]

My vet says clipping won't help, but at least you can see more. I left the feathers on but it is difficult to see the skin. The feathers provide some protection against mud fever. The 2 injections worked well. The expectation is that the mites will return and another pair of injections will be needed in due course.

 

[Dyllymoo]

My vet says clipping won't help, but at least you can see more. I left the feathers on but it is difficult to see the skin. The feathers provide some protection against mud fever. The 2 injections worked well. The expectation is that the mites will return and another pair of injections will be needed in due course.

Yes my vet said the same but in 6 months, not 1 week after the 2nd injection. Since I washed his legs on Saturday he hasn't stamped just hope I removed the irritation if it was itchy rather than actual mites.

 

[ester]

I've used deosect and found it helpful after dectomax treatment.

 

[Gloi]

If you are oiling the legs with pig oil mix some neem oil in with it and that will help kill mites.

 

[Hack4fun]

Yes my vet said the same but in 6 months, not 1 week after the 2nd injection.

Absolutely.

I asked about pig oil and deosect and was told basically that only frontline would have any impact and I was not encouraged to go down that route.

 

[Leo Walker]

I've never had a problem with mites on clipped legs, and I've never been able to eradicate them on hairy legs! I used to do dectomax injections a couple of times a year, then every few weeks wash with dermoline, apply frontline and deosect, and then cover in neem oil which was kept topped up. That used to keep him comfortable, but the only thing that worked permanently was legs clipped out, and then I never needed any treatment.

 

[ester]

fwiw it was a vet who told me to use deosect.
or moving, that worked, never had a problem in somerset, had a problem about may time in wilts every year.

 

[twiggy2]

I would suggest your vet may be the best person to speak to.

 

[Dyllymoo]

I would suggest your vet may be the best person to speak to.

I have spoken to him, and he said wash and towel dry rigorously. That doesn't seem enough of an interim help if I'm honest and just wanted some other ideas that I could use. Of course if it hasn't settled down over the next few days I will see if they need to come out and do a 3rd injection, but that would say to me that maybe something I am/ am not doing needs to change?

 

[Archangel]

I have found shampooing with Nizoral a week after the second injection kills any stragglers. You may even need to do it once more after that as your are dealing with an infestation.

Apply Nizoral, massage right down to the skin, leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off and towel dry.

Washing and drying on its own would help but sometimes chemicals are needed to bump the little blighters off.

If you are not already doing it, a good vitamin and mineral supplement to give general health a boost would also help.

When buying the shampoo from a chemist say it is for you as they won't sell if for a horse.

 

[Dyllymoo]

I have found shampooing with Nizoral a week after the second injection kills any stragglers. You may even need to do it once more after that as your are dealing with an infestation.

Apply Nizoral, massage right down to the skin, leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off and towel dry.

Washing and drying on its own would help but sometimes chemicals are needed to bump the little blighters off.

If you are not already doing it, a good vitamin and mineral supplement to give general health a boost would also help.

When buying the shampoo from a chemist say it is for you as they won't sell if for a horse.

Brilliant, thank you. Will get some today and give it a go. Yes I have started him on a supplement so hopefully that will help him