Mites reaction ?

[Penny Less]

My horse has feather mites which are mostly under control. Today I shampooed his legs with Dermaline. He stood for 15 mins with the shampoo on, then I thoroughly hosed it off, all fine. As soon as I turned him out in the paddock he went mad biting his legs and has drawn blood, a much more violent reaction than his usual occasional foot stamp. The dermoline hasn't changed its ingredients and I have never had a problem before. I know its not usually used for mites, only lice. Is the reaction caused by the mites" going potty" from the dermoline do you think , if such a thing is possible? or perhaps he has suddenly become allergic. I haven't used it since last summer.

 

[Alec Swan]

An I/M jab of app 12ml of Dectomax every three weeks, and for 3 rounds, works. For those horses which continue to be affected, then a six-monthly single jab seems to work, for us at least!

Your horse's reaction sounds as though the activity of the mites is 'aggressive', rather than it being a reaction to the externally applied chemicals. Don't know though, not a vet.

Alec.

 

[Penny Less]

Sadly Alec Dectomax doesn't seem to work on him, he has had it many times. I have used the Frontline spot on which posters on here have recommended and also diatomaceous (sp) earth! I usually use a double or three pronged attack. The strange thing is he never stamps or bites or scratches in the stable its always when he's first turned out. Between him and the blooming Clumber Im in a medical daze with itching problems. Although Clumber seems to be mainly sorted (crossed fingers)