Itchy mini - could it be the wormer?

My mini started itching herself a few weeks back and, assuming she was a bit wormy, I gave her the correct dose of Equest paste. Since then she has become extremely itchy, rubbing herself raw to the point of drawing blood all over her head and bum, as well as rubbing her tail out. I see her rubbing her body and mane against anything and everything.

I have checked for mites, lice etc.. and washed her in pinetarsol to no avail. The only thing I can think of is a) she has started shedding b) she's allergic to the worm paste or c) she is itchy from the worms that are dying off??

Any ideas?

I've recently had a super-itchy little one here. He was reacting to dust (I think) in previous hay and the hay at his new home (after he went there). He didn't get hay here as I had him in two grazing areas and hard feeds. It's not the "done thing" but I added a lot of oil (canola) to his feed and a 1/4 cup of bicarb soda. His new home have now added those as well.

Smart idea - I will give it a go. Anything to help her, she is just sooo itchy!!

Time for a Malawash bath. You won't see the microscopic midges that crawl through hair follicles. Nor can you see their eggs attached.
For horses that rub to the point of breaking the skin, a visit by the vet for a cortosone injection is recommended.
Also if you have some antibacterial cream (Filtabac is great) then put this on the areas where the skin is broken. Secondary infection from rubbing/itching is a real problem.

Wash rugs and then dip them in Malawash. Always put the cleanest lightest cotton rug on underneath anything else.

If you don't treat rugs and headstalls/leadropes then the buggers will keep coming back.

Once you have controlled all the broken skin areas then use something like Swift that will keep them from landing and making your horse their new home.

EVP you don't think she's having a reaction to the wormer? I belive this is the first time she has ever been wormed. I'd say she is around 2 years old.

ETA she has no rugs on. Unfortunately I can't find malawash out here and had to settle for Pinetarsol instead. I do have Filtabac though so will put that on. I didn't want to put anything on that would inflame the sensitive skin but I think Filtabac is great stuff so will do that tonight.

Heading to Perth next week so could get some Malawash then I think and treat her and my big horse. She is in with sheep at the moment and originally I thought she might have caught sheep lice but couldn't find anything.

needanswers said:

EVP you don't think she's having a reaction to the wormer? I belive this is the first time she has ever been wormed. I'd say she is around 2 years old.

ETA she has no rugs on. Unfortunately I can't find malawash out here and had to settle for Pinetarsol instead. I do have Filtabac though so will put that on. I didn't want to put anything on that would inflame the sensitive skin but I think Filtabac is great stuff so will do that tonight.

Heading to Perth next week so could get some Malawash then I think and treat her and my big horse. She is in with sheep at the moment and originally I thought she might have caught sheep lice but couldn't find anything.

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Its unlikely that she would have an allergy to the wormer. Pinetarsol won't treat midges/lice or other micro nasties. You need to get either something with Permethrin or the better ingredients that are in Malawash. Even Malaseb is good as it has a shampoo-type base. Thinking about it it might be better and less irratiting for her broken skin to use the Malaseb....its usually in a blue plastic bottle. If she still has itching you will need to shampoo her again or go to the Malawash (which is more like a rinse you bucket over AFTER a good shampoo).

If the horse is a rescue, saleyard, agistment neglectee ect........then it probably HAS crawlie bugs. Crawlie bugs love horses that aren't in optimum health because their immune system is lower. Once wormed, and her skin/coat condition is managed, I'd be inclined to get a full blood test done (checking fecal count too) and she might need a few doses of good injectable multiVit.
Worm once, wait 2 weeks and worm again. Do this in isolation if you can because this horse is going to "spread the love" to any other horses.

Got my hands on some Malawash and gave her a rinse this morning. I rinsed all my brushes and her halter etc...

On the tin it says wait 7 to 10 days before swabbing animal again - how long do I wait to see if this improves her itch?

As soon as I let her go after her bath she went rolling for 10 min then got up and started scratching on the fence.... :confused:

needanswers said:

Got my hands on some Malawash and gave her a rinse this morning. I rinsed all my brushes and her halter etc...

On the tin it says wait 7 to 10 days before swabbing animal again - how long do I wait to see if this improves her itch?

As soon as I let her go after her bath she went rolling for 10 min then got up and started scratching on the fence.... :confused:

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Funny thing about any product that rids biting insects, is that these pests bite as they die, or they move/crawl around madly......does the same to dogs.
Give the horse plenty of good curry combs and then dandy brush to remove eggs or dead nasties. I'd wait a few days and then bath her again in a good antibacterial/medicated wash. Rinse her thoroughly and then put her in a totally clean cotton rug. Leave her alone for a week and then see how her coat is then with view to reassess.

It's really terrible seeing her so damn itchy!!! I really hope this works. If not I'm taking her to the vet in case it's something else (though I am sure it is not).

Thanks for your help EVP.

Hi totally know what you mean, we have been having the same issues, have been to the vet. Our pony is allergic to biting insects which is intensified with the heat. She is now on medication. This has worked amazingly. Our problem now is when we shampooed her at the weekend with I will say expensive medicated shampoo she started to scratch again.
So I am looking for anyone who might know of a soap free shampoo for horses. I know you can buy it for humans. We have also been told to cut down protien and additives until she is back on track.
PS: my heart ached when I realized what she must have been putting up with.

The only thing that will stop this mad itching is really a cortisone injection or
Hydroxyzine. Its the breaking of skin that causes even more problems after the bite of an insect. Keep on top of it but if at all worried get your vet out.

HI, Need Answers just wondering if we are in the same area, having the same problem. We are in Oakford

I'm in Lake Grace and my mini is from the Boddington area originally. I have heard that the metro area is crazy with insects causing bites, rashes and hives.