Why Is My Horse Scratching His Ears?

Ear Mites (Psoroptes Equi) are just one of the possible causes of horses that scratch their head and necks. Other causes of itching of the face, head and mane include: Allergies to Culicoides – biting midges (Queensland Itch) – by far the most common. Fungal infections.

Why does my horse have itchy ears?

Mites in a Horse’s Ear
Nonburrowing psoroptic mites cause an itchy, inflamed ear canal in horses. Some horses show no signs of infection, whereas others may shake their heads and have a drooping ear. Bumps with scabs, hair loss, and/or scaly skin are common.

What do ear mites in horses look like?

Horse mites—Psoroptes Equi—are miniature insects that burrow into a horse’s flesh. At less than 1mm in size, they can be spotted by the naked eye, but you have to be proactively looking for the small white dots. They may be found beneath the mane, the tail, between the hind legs, or in a horse’s ear.

How do you tell if your horse has an ear infection?

Physical signs of an infection include a discharge or foul odor coming from the ear. Indications from a horse’s behavior can also include shaking his head excessively, tilting his head, and shying away if he is touched near his ears.

Can horses get mites in their ears?

Although ear mites are rare in horses, they have been known to be the culprit of head shaking or a head shy horse. Mites can be diagnosed by taking samples from inside the ear and viewing them under a microscope.

What can I give my horse for itching?

Commonly prescribed anti-itching medications include corticosteroids and essential fatty acids. A program that stresses preventive control of parasites in the horse’s environment—including insect control and regular deworming programs—can help eliminate or reduce some causes of itching.

How do you treat an itchy horse?

Provide temporary relief of the skin irritation by applying calamine lotion or anti-inflammatory creams. Your veterinarian will usually recommend daily bathing with a pyrethroid (eg permoxin wash) for a week then once weekly once the condition is under control.

What are the signs of ear mites?

Symptoms of ear mites:

• Violent head shaking and scratching at the ears.
• Redness in or around the ears.
• A dry, crumbly substance in the ears that looks similar to coffee grounds. It may be foul smelling.
• Waxy debris in the ears.
• Raw areas and sores or hair loss around the ears from scratching.

How do you tell if a horse has lice or mites?

The first signs that your horse may be infested with lice are biting at and rubbing infested areas and increased restlessness. Hair loss and even skin loss may occur. If the lice are abundant, the hair might also be matted. Sucking lice cause small wounds that can become infected.

What time of year do horses get mites?

Diagnosis of horse mites
Mites are around all year, but the onset of horse mite infestation seems to be more of a problem during the colder months.

What do you give a horse for ear infection?

As you plan your meeting with a certified veterinarian, consider asking about BNT Otic Ointment. This powerful compounded medication treats horse ear infections safely and efficiently.

Can horses scratch their ears?

That’s because the saliva of these minute gnats causes intense itching in sensitive equines, a condition known as “sweet itch” or “summer itch.” Your horse can’t stop rubbing and scratching all affected areas, which usually include the ears, mane, tailhead, face and virtually anywhere else on the body.

What can you do for a horse with an ear infection?

The first step of treatment is to clean the ear, removing all the debris and the source of infection. This is best done by liberally flushing the ear with disinfectant solution. Proper flushing also requires heavy sedation and can be done after the exam, while the horse is still sedated.

What kills ear mites?

“There are many topical, oral, and systemic agents,” Dr. Miller notes, “and most—such as ivermectin—are highly effective. Even one old-time remedy—baby oil—can do the job. A few drops put into an affected ear several times a day for a month or so will usually smother the mites.”

How do you clean a horses ears?

For the most part, a horse’s ears are self-cleaning. But Anderson says if you need to get rid of the insects and gunk inside, wipe them out with a cloth sprayed with fly spray. If it’s a bad infection or the horse won’t let you touch its ears, you should probably call your vet.

What are ear mites and what do they look like?

Ear mites are microscopic parasites that look like tiny spiders or ticks. Otodectes cynotis is the most common type of ear mite. These mites can infest the external ear canal in both dogs and cats. However, they are more common in cats than dogs.

How do I know if my horse has sweet itch?

Signs of Sweet Itch

1. Mild to severe itching and rubbing, usually along the mane, back and tail.
2. Loss of tail and mane hair.
3. Bald patches, which can look ugly and grey due to permanent hair loss and skin damage.
4. Areas of sore, open, broken skin, which tend to bleed.
5. In some cases, itching along the legs and under the belly.

What is a natural antihistamine for horses?

Quercetin, a natural antihistamine, belongs to a group of beneficial plant antioxidants known as flavanoids. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant and immune booster and has been said to be similar to, or more effective than, common NSAIDs in reducing inflammation.

What does sweet itch look like in horses?

Sweet Itch leads to skin lesions which are often hairless, weeping, and in some cases, ulcerative (non-healing). Horses tend to have severe itching at the site of these lesions along the horse’s back, especially at the base of the mane and tail.

What time of year do horses get sweet itch?

This causes the immune system to attack its own cells and leads to an extreme reaction. In the UK, insects that cause sweet itch are the midge (Culicoides) and potentially the black fly (Simulium). Horses are mostly affected between March – November when the biting insects are most active.

Can grass make horses itchy?

Grass Allergy – Equine is a natural remedy for horses that experience hay fever-like symptoms such as itchy welts, irritability, and lethargy when exposed to summer grasses. This popular homeopathic remedy can be used long term to support a normal immune response to grass allergens.