Neurological
Equine Grass Sickness (Equine Dysautonomia)
Equine Grass Sickness (Equine Dysautonomia) This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Equine grass sickness
Ectoparasites
Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.
An ectoparasite is a parasite that lives on the skin surface of an animal. The primary ectoparasites of horses are houseflies, stable flies, mosquitoes, and, to a lesser extent, horse and deer flies. Ticks, lice and mites are also common ectoparasites in horses.
Symptoms
- Discharge from ears
- Swollen ears
- Itchy ears
- Twitching
- Unstable
- Stumbling
- Itchy anus
- Stressed
- Hyperreactivity
- Hypersensitivity
- Restless
- Stomping hooves
- Crusted skin
- Bleeding skin
- Lesions
- Reddened skin
- Overall swelling
- Itching (pruritus)
- Fur loss
Treatment
Treatment should be performed under veterinary supervision and involves a class of medications called scabicides and pediculicides. There are different application methods, such as dusts, sprays and wipe-ons or spot-ons.
Thoroughly brush horses before treatment to remove excess dirt and dust. Then, apply products over areas to be protected while brushing lightly against the lay of the hair. Pay special attention to legs, belly, shoulders, neck, and face. Follow label instructions to protect yourself from exposure to the product when treating.
Prevention
Control aims to minimise exposure to fly and midge bites and it is advisable to start this early in the season before your horse starts itching. This can be achieved by stabling your horse during dawn and dusk when midge activity is greatest; turning horses out in fields with lower midge burdens such as breezy pastures, higher ground and away from the woodland; preventing horses from grazing areas that have open water nearby as this attracts flies and midges; using an effective fly rug to prevent midge and fly contact with your horse’s skin.
Additionally, every horse in the stable should have its grooming equipment.
How Happie can help you manage your horse's health
Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.
With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.
The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.
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Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.
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