Re: [RC] Mane mite (northern fowl mite) - Lani M Olson
Well, I broached the possibility of bird mites to the latest vet I have
looking at a mare who's been rubbing for over a year, based on what I read here.
Sounded plausible to me. Now, for a short history, she was treated for a uterine
infection and a bladder infection, after which I tried antifungal shampoos (in
case of fungus), baby oil (in case of extreme dryness, as we've been in drought
conditions for several years), withholding supplements and everything but
pasture grass and hay (in case of allergies - same pasture and our home grown
hay all her life) - you get the picture. This vet wanted to know how it had been
proven that the horse had bird mites and was highly skeptical of liquid
ivermectin killing the mites, pretty much chastised me for believing stuff off
the 'Net, said he'd discuss it with some other people - "by that I mean other
veterinarians", said he'd never heard of mites on horses and I felt pretty much
like I'd been brushed off, even though he hasn't any idea what my horses are
rubbing their manes and tails for. He mentioned skin biopsies and I said, yes,
anything - but then he said he wouldn't do that until he had a good idea what he
was looking for. He leans towards it being a "learned behavior". Now this is a
highly respected vet associated with a top-ranking university. I'm so frustrated
watching three horses that have rubbed half their tails off and a goodly amount
from their manes (I hadn't really noticed on the manes because they're half
Morgan and all have heavy manes). The last horse started four days after she
arrived on my property six weeks ago - I don't see how a two-year-old with a
perfect mane and tail suddenly "learned" the behavior of tail and mane rubbing.
I hope to do some endurance with two of these horses, but at this point I don't
know if this can spread from general contact as would be apparent with the new
arrival, who shared a common fence with the other two for two weeks while they
acclimated.
If
this mite Lived on humans we'd know a lot more about it of
course. As I mentioned before- the ONLY thing that'll
kill it is topical ivermectin - and since they hatch
so often (eggs laid under the skin of the
mane) if there are birds constantly introducing
the mite, then you'll have to treat this every 7
days.
