Itchy, scabby heels
- Thread starter MrA
- Start date
Sweet itch is a specific allergy to bites, that causes an auto immune cascade, just being itchy from bug bites isn’t the same thing and I wouldn’t be hasty to label him. My big two are being driven slightly crazy by stable flies just now, they like biting the legs in particular but will chomp anywhere.
Maybe give him a bath in an anti-itch/soothing/insect repellent shampoo and see if that helps. I find the barrier anti itch soothing shampoo very effective.
Re the heels, generally bug itch of whatever degree doesn’t cause scabby heels, I’d treat that as mud fever. It doesn’t have to be muddy to get mud fever, just damaged skin and if he’s been itching that could do it.
Maybe give him a bath in an anti-itch/soothing/insect repellent shampoo and see if that helps. I find the barrier anti itch soothing shampoo very effective.
Re the heels, generally bug itch of whatever degree doesn’t cause scabby heels, I’d treat that as mud fever. It doesn’t have to be muddy to get mud fever, just damaged skin and if he’s been itching that could do it.
Sweet itch you need to stop the midges getting to him, so realistically a sweetitch rug all the time until there are no longer midges about - often that means from about Feb to late Oct, but can vary depending on the weather and where you are. Lots of good fly repellent on legs, face, and sheath. That said I'd be a bit surprised if he's developed sweet itch at his age, and unrugged I'd expect him to be a lot worse than you describe.
I wonder if he's just itchy? This weather means a lot of them have never seemed to stop shedding and so are itchy and greasy, plus one day too hot then the next chilly and wet. I'd maybe start by giving him a really good bath with an insecticidal shampoo. paying particular attention to the top of his tail and base of his mane. See if that helps.
I'd also wonder if he has a mild does of summer mud fever, often called scratches or grass scratches. It sounds silly when a lot of the time it's been dry, but if the heels get a touch of sunburn or crack then if the grass is long enough it can scratch it slightly and then the morning dew can be enough to let damp in and cause mud fever.
I wonder if he's just itchy? This weather means a lot of them have never seemed to stop shedding and so are itchy and greasy, plus one day too hot then the next chilly and wet. I'd maybe start by giving him a really good bath with an insecticidal shampoo. paying particular attention to the top of his tail and base of his mane. See if that helps.
I'd also wonder if he has a mild does of summer mud fever, often called scratches or grass scratches. It sounds silly when a lot of the time it's been dry, but if the heels get a touch of sunburn or crack then if the grass is long enough it can scratch it slightly and then the morning dew can be enough to let damp in and cause mud fever.
Both Sid and Ziggy are/were often itchy at this time of year. Peak mozzie and midge time + coat change = itch.
I have tried fly rugs on Sid but the thing that works best for him is sweet oil - any kind - rubbed into his legs, tail head and the root of his mane. Of course he has mallenders too so I do his legs all year, but I add the mane and tail in Spring and around now.
When I got him he had half a mane. 3 years later he still has half a mane, but the missing (lower) half is actually a couple of inches long this year, so there's progress.
I have tried fly rugs on Sid but the thing that works best for him is sweet oil - any kind - rubbed into his legs, tail head and the root of his mane. Of course he has mallenders too so I do his legs all year, but I add the mane and tail in Spring and around now.
When I got him he had half a mane. 3 years later he still has half a mane, but the missing (lower) half is actually a couple of inches long this year, so there's progress.
Spoke to the vet who recommended treating for leg mites. Used Frontline spray and a cow spot on. He seems a lot better already and less itchy!
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This was the only thing that ever cured Chloe's feather mites. Fabulous stuf and good value. I didn't feed it though (not sure why it says a feed additive?) I just puffed it onto her legs every day and patted it in.
I'd be more suspicious that it mud-fever, also know as greasy heel or cracked heel. Especially if the legs have any white hair and pink skin. While I'm at it, midges or (sand flies) are easily controlled with nicotinamide insecticides or feed supplements. I use the insecticide but simply put 10ml in a syringe and squirt a small line of it along the base of the main and dock of tail. This way it enters the horses system and keeps them away for 3 to 4 weeks. No rubbed out manes here and I'm in Qld and on the coast. It's so prevalent here it's known as Qld itch.
Thank you for this, I will get some to try if the problem persistsMULTI MITE® 1KG PLUS 400G Shaker Special FEED Grade DE - Buy Diatomaceous Earth Online UK | Multi-Mite
MULTI MITE® Animal FEED Grade Diatomaceous Earth - is a superior FEED GRADE DE that is ideal as a Feed Additive and External Mite Control for virtually ALL animals from Rabbits, Cats & Dogs through all Poultry, Cattle, Horses you name it. A lesser variation of this product has been used in...
This was the only thing that ever cured Chloe's feather mites. Fabulous stuf and good value. I didn't feed it though (not sure why it says a feed additive?) I just puffed it onto her legs every day and patted it in.
The treatment for leg mites has worked really well, it was definitely that given how itchy he was and with the treatment there are no scabs or itch at all. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone
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