I Think My Pony Has Lice...

[Ainsley688]

First off, yuck. :lol: I adopted a neglected pony from the local "mini rescue" this past month, and have been watching him get progressively more itchy...he has large rubs where he has itched most of the hair off, and it has gotten really bad this past week or so. I dropped off a stool sample at the vets for a fecal, so I know what kinds of parasites he probably has (pretty sure he's never been de-wormed) and of course, after I did that I went to go feed and checked a dry-skin patch, and found...bugs...:eek:

They were very small, with opaque white bodies and reddish heads, and after doing some research, I'm almost positive he has "biting lice" or damalinia.

So, anyone with lice experience!? He is currently out with my mare, and I REALLY do NOT want her to get it...I am taking my puppy to the vet tomorrow, so I can ask her about it, but for now, I'd like some fellow COTH wisdom! Help!

[SuperSTB]

Gross- every once in a while I've had to deal with a new rescue w/ lice. Not fun.

I deworm first- power pac. If the weather is warm enough I'll bath w/ a good shampoo that contains selenium (head and shoulders) plus specific powder formulate to get rid of horse lice. But for the winter month new rescues have used just powder.

I've found it relatively easy to get rid of with a couple of treatments... but make sure you also all brushes, blankets and equipment that was used around or on horse.

[Ainsley688]

Yes, I don't think bathing would be an option, unless I clipped him...but then I would have to deal with blankets, and he lives outside. So, that's not going to work. Will just using powder work? I really want to make sure that my horse doesn't get it. Do you know what kind of powder I should get? Or do I have to get it through the vet?

Here he is!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/ilikekiwis123/DSC_0316.jpg

[Donkey]

He sure is cute - he must be one itchy pony. I would treat both horses if they are in immediate contact or have shared brushes. My understanding is that it is difficult for a healthy horse to pick up lice (if it is the skin particle eating louse) as a healthy horse doesn't have that much for them to munch on. If it's a blood sucking louse then I assume both horses are fair game.

[bird4416]

Pyrethrin or permethrin based fly sprays will also work.

[Sithly]

Definitely treat both horses. You can get the lice duster powder at Fleet Farm, your feed store, or any similar place. It works. Just read the directions; you have to treat at certain intervals to make sure you get the newly hatching eggs.

We've had a few auction horses come in with lice over the years. It clears up pretty easily with the powder. :)

[Foxtrot's]

Been there - not that a big a deal. Powders work, keep brushes separate, and horses, but treat everyone, more than once. They don't transmit to people or dogs, as far as I know.

[deltawave]

This is the time of year for them to crop up.

Ivermectin at the proper dose efvery 2 weeks x 3 doses, clip the pony if you can (don't bother if it would cause problems) and douse with horse lice duster every day for about a week.

They are theoretically contagious, but horse-to-horse transmission is pretty uncommon when an unthrifty critter brings them into an otherwise healthy herd.

[Ghazzu]

Ivermectin and a pyrethrin based fly spray.

[Ainsley688]

I haven't been too worried about my horse, since she's had her blanket on almost all of the time she's been with Timmy...but I'm glad to know it isn't that big of a deal! I'll have to reassure my mom, since she's freaking out about it, but it is nice to hear that just the powder works. He also doesn't look too bad, compared to looking on Google, haha.

[Foxtrot's]

OOOh - lice love living under a blanket that is not changed often and its occupant not brushed well. (I'm not suggesting anything, not you personally.)

[pintopiaffe]

Ivermectin at the proper dose efvery 2 weeks x 3 doses, clip the pony if you can (don't bother if it would cause problems) and douse with horse lice duster every day for about a week.


What DW & Ghazzu said.

I think I did Ivermec dose every 10 days for 3 doses vs. 2 weeks (what my vet said.)

Powder daily or 2x/day as I could for the first 10 days.

I think the internal is what really made the difference though--saw excellent results after the 2nd dose.

I did NOT treat other horses, other than deworming (once) with Ivermec at the same time as first dose for lousy mare, and none got them. They were turned out together, but with plenty of room. Did not share stalls or tack or anything like that.

[Ainsley688]

I've come to the conclusion that he has damalinia, or "biting lice" which feed off of the dead skin and hair particles. (um, ew!) I read that you cannot kill them as easily with a good de-worming, since they don't suck the blood, and will be harder to get the chemicals into. But, I will give him another dose of Ivermectin as soon as I can. Thanks for the help!