Itchy legs and fetlocks - UPDATED FOR VET VISIT

Jane&Ziggy

Jane&Ziggy

Jane&Sid these days!
Apr 30, 2010
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Poor Ziggy is itchy on his lower legs and fetlocks.

I can't see anything wrong, but he is constantly nibbling at them, front and back.

I fear lice. This hasn't happened to us before - what should I do? Help!
 
I'd probably dectomax him TBH, if it's a new thing it sounds like mites maybes? Then maybes use deosect watered down as a fly repellant, I spray on legs too to try and repel any nasties. x
 
I would wash them with a shampoo that does lice and mites. I use Dermoline.
You could treat with Spot On. Ours get done as and when.

It could simply be the warm damp weather and the hanging onto winter coat. Mine did itch when she was shedding.

Eta. How near to yours is the itchy pony you posted about? Has that been resolved. Unlikely but is it possible that's why yours is now itching?
 
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I'd do an insecticidal wash, itchy legs is generally mites rather than lice, but it doesn't hurt to do the whole lot :)
 
newforest said:
I would wash them with a shampoo that does lice and mites. I use Dermoline.
You could treat with Spot On. Ours get done as and when.

It could simply be the warm damp weather and the hanging onto winter coat. Mine did itch when she was shedding.

Eta. How near to yours is the itchy pony you posted about? Has that been resolved. Unlikely but is it possible that's why yours is now itching?
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Do you need to treat with spot on twice? Last time I used it I ended up with dectomax but then thought that was maybe cause I'd done it wrong:oops: but I did only treat once and then realised as the dectomax had to be given twice due to the hatch cycle maybes the spot on needing using twice too:oops: At times I'm so thick:rolleyes:, just wondered exactly how it's done for future reference.x
 
Trewsers said:
If you do use deosect be very careful. It's stinky noxious stuff, so wear gloves and do not breathe in the vapour.
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I love the smell of deosect :confused: I know I'm strange:D:D:D( also like jeyes fluid smell) our vet suggested we used deosect as fly spray for our sweet itch pony and since then I've always used it as a fly spray. A tin seems to last forever as you use so little and it doesn't need applying daily so it's great in summer. x
 
tikkitti said:
I love the smell of deosect :confused: I know I'm strange:D:D:D( also like jeyes fluid smell) our vet suggested we used deosect as fly spray for our sweet itch pony and since then I've always used it as a fly spray. A tin seems to last forever as you use so little and it doesn't need applying daily so it's great in summer. x
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Omg I hate the smell, you are bonkers lol:p
A tin does seem to last forever, I've got loads left in the cupboard......
 
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From my limited knowledge of mites there's those that live under the skin and those that live above it. x
 
tikkitti said:
Do you need to treat with spot on twice? Last time I used it I ended up with dectomax but then thought that was maybe cause I'd done it wrong:oops: but I did only treat once and then realised as the dectomax had to be given twice due to the hatch cycle maybes the spot on needing using twice too:oops: At times I'm so thick:rolleyes:, just wondered exactly how it's done for future reference.x
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I just looked on the board. She was done in Feb. If she should start itching again though she would be treated again.
Dermoline works for us in between but I do keep on top of the feathers because she piddles on them with her seasons.. She can attract flies and be a bit niffy.
 
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Oh dear, that's what I was afraid of. I am going to try Dermoline shampoo today but if it doesn't work it will be the vet.

Interestingly the rain seems to have made things better for him.
 
Jane&Ziggy said:
How do I treat a horse with Spot On @newforest ? Wouldn't I need about a pint of the stuff?
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Just checked and it lasts eight weeks.
Mine has just been retreated as started to be itchy. (lice and flies)
Washed legs at the same time with Dermoline (lice) You can use it even if you don't have a problem and since she gets ' messy' behind I may as well use something medicated.

But I actually think it's flies / pollen in our case. What pollen have you got, buttercups, hemlock type flowers?

Eta why isn't there a licensed mites product on the market that doesn't require an injection and two vet visits? Yes you can then use pug oil and sulphur as a prevention after you have shifted the buggers. If that is what you actually have.
 
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Very good point, well made!

I have washed his legs with Dermoline and he seems much more comfortable. It says to do the whole horse for lice but I shall try a bit at a time first. Might do head and ears next.
 
The injection is doromectin which is a version of ivermectin, the same stuff you treat intestinal worms with from a syringe.........;) ivermectin will kill the biting version of lice too :)
 
But why can't we buy it? We can buy wormer over the counter / online.

Spot on is from the vet but we collect.
 
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