Sweet itch or mange?

[DixieMare]

Hello every one

A friend has brought a mare that she thinks has sweet itch.
She is fully clipped including her mane
She scratches her back as soon as you take off her rug or saddle
She rubs her front legs with her head
She doesn't like being groomed, even with a soft brush
And I came away with a strange bite!!

I don't want to suggest any thing to my friend before finding out some facts first as I wouldn't want to cause any unnecessary stress or upset.

I would be grateful for Any advice.

Thank you.

DixieMare

 

[DixieMare]

I also need to know if Mange can be passed on to humans?

Thanks

DM

 

[YH31]

Could also be lice - have a good look to see if any dandruff is moving - top of the withers good place to look or top of the tail.

 

[JillA]

She needs a vet if she genuinely suspects mange - some types of mange are notifiable. I suspect it is more likely to be lice though, it is too early for sweetitch although it could be an allergy to something different. My money would be on lice - it's the time of year for it. Is the mare in not brilliant condition? Those types are more susceptible, and bear in mind some biting lice aren't very visible to the naked eye. If it is the invisible ones, she will have a struggle - all rugs, grooming kit etc will have to be burned, they are very difficult to eradicate.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ditto above re. veterinary attention.

I've got a horse with sweet itch, and these signs/symptoms don't altogether figure with that....... its also a little early in the season for SI to fully develop - though if the horse has been somewhere where midges are biting then yes SI IS possible at ANY time of the year.

Does the horse have bare patches in the mane/tail/rump area? Has she rubbed herself there? Is the area raw and/or bleeding? One would expect to see these sorts of symptoms if a horse has SI. But like I say, a bit early in the year now.

Personally I would say the owner needs to get a vet out to look ASAP and not mess around. Ditto above post if its mange; there are two sorts if I recall - demodectic & sarcoptic. Both of which will require veterinary attention.

Or perhaps its ringworm???

Or as someone else has suggested, lice.

Either way OP you'd be well advised to keep your distance from the horse and its rugs/tack etc. Coz you don't want your horse to catch whatever it is. So be aware and take note.

But main thing is FFS to get your friend to get the mare looked at by a vet ASAP.