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Post by cederr on Mar 13, 2009 9:38:45 GMT -5
Hello ROers!
I don't post much, but I recently brought home a 'rescue' (in quotes because he was privately given up to me-not taken) gelding who had
to have the worst case of lice I have ever seen on top of being 150# underweight and totally filthy with over grown feet and nasty knots in his mane and tail.
He has been bathed, dusted, wormed with ivermectin and QTed. He gets a new, clean blankie every other day-new liner every day and we groom groom groom to get all the scurf and dead bug bodies OFF. I read that he needs redusted in 10 days, rewormed in 14 and then we're in the clear?
Is there anything else to do, not do? Should we dust the other horses just in case? We spray the stall, aisle, etc. everyday with pymethrin.
Good news is he has gained almost 50# in 5 days! I see NO moving buggies. He is still pretty itchy. Is that normal? Any advice is appreciated!
PAM
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Post by TashGaia on Mar 13, 2009 11:43:08 GMT -5
Sounds good, but I would dust the other horses too at least once.
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Post by halfwayhome on Mar 13, 2009 12:35:44 GMT -5
It is normal for him to be a little "itchy" for a while, his skin and internal immune system have been very challenged. I do like to give plenty of probiotics if you aren't already after a challenge like this, it will help settle his digestive system and let him utilize his food better since he was so compromised. Have you had his blood checked? Many times a severe case of lice and malnutrition will cause a temporary anemia that needs to be addressed.
You can always use a coat "soother" to aid in temp itchiness. Calm Coat for horses and dogs seems to be helpful. Most feed stores have it, or it can be ordered. Great job in helping this poor guy!
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Post by gratefulknits on Mar 13, 2009 13:41:11 GMT -5
I don't have any advice but kudos to you for taking him in and paying such close attention to his needs and wants. I don't think you have to call him a "rescue"; he IS a rescue. He was in a terrible situation (obviously, or he wouldn't be in the shape you describe) and thanks to YOU he is now safe. Congratulations.
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Mar 13, 2009 14:08:24 GMT -5
Yes, he will need re-dusted in 10 days, and I recommend doing it AGAIN in an additional 10 days. For severe infestations, it can take several go-arounds to get things killed off unfortunately. 72 hours after he has been dusted I recommend using a gentle shampoo, warm water and going ahead adn giving a bath. The dust can cause extreme irritation of already sensitive skin, so getting the dust off after the initial kill is really important. A shampoo like Betadine surgical scrub is a good choice. DO NOT use Vetadine shampoo - very irritating. Or just plain ORVUS soap shampoo is good too. If this kid is underweight and lice infested it is generally good practice to run a mild blood builder for 30 days. About 90% of serious lice infestations where the horse is unerweight will show anemia to at least a moderate degree. The product I recommend is Lixotinic or a product by Select the Best called Ultra-Fire. Both are very good. I would give 1 ounce daily for 30 days along with free choice quality grass hay and access to a quality chelated loose mineral like Gro-Strong minerals by ADM. www.admani.com Good for you for taking this kid in. There are SOOOOOOO many right now - it can be overwhelming at times. Take care, Sara |
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Mar 13, 2009 14:11:20 GMT -5
Ohh, and all the other horses should be sprayed with a 10% permetherin agricultural spray that is diluted 50/50 with water. Using a garden sprayer is the easiest way  Get them pretty much wet, let it dry and stay on for 48 hours or so - it will k ill any bugs and keep them protected - and is not as hard on the skin as the dust. I would Also spray DAILY any wood work that the contaminated horse is near. Lice eggs can live on wood or in the dirt easily for 48+ hours - so can reinfest during that time if the horse rubs on the wood at all or lays down where eggs are. Again, use a permetherin agriculture concentrated spray (available at dels and I THINK reber too!!) Dilute it to a 50% concentrate and put in a garden sprayer, spray walls and all surroundings Take car,e Sara |
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Post by crum on Mar 14, 2009 13:20:30 GMT -5
I agree with pretty much everything else said. I will throw out that if you have poultry and in particular chickens that they should be treated too. Lice tend to be species specific so cannot in general live on other species. However there are species of lice that can live on both horses and poultry so if just the horses are treated they could easily become reinfested if the chickens are not treated.
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Post by cederr on Mar 14, 2009 13:27:34 GMT -5
THANKS everyone. I got it on the calender to redust in 10 days (from 1st dusting) and the other horses are dusted. Will do it a 3rd time at another 10 days! THANKS. Probiotics done. Minerals done. Spraying done and doing the wood now too (thanks for that)! Sara his hay rack is stuffed full of grass hay at all times and I will check into the blood builder. He is a horse I used to know and was always very well taken care of....many of you would know him too I bet, but the last year something must have happened and he got run down. At least he's not been in bad shape for years like so many that get help too late...sigh. I've had a few of them too and they all came around so I am thankful to get the opportunity to help a horse again. Going to get the calm coat!!
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Get them pretty much wet, let it dry and stay on for 48 hours or so - it will k ill any bugs and keep them protected - and is not as hard on the skin as the dust. I would Also spray DAILY any wood work that the contaminated horse is near. Lice eggs can live on wood or in the dirt easily for 48+ hours - so can reinfest during that time if the horse rubs on the wood at all or lays down where eggs are. Again, use a permetherin agriculture concentrated spray (available at dels and I THINK reber too!!) Dilute it to a 50% concentrate and put in a garden sprayer, spray walls and all surroundings