ArizonaRealCountry.com 7 July 2019 stimulates a localized immune response in the ear and helps diminish the lesions. Protect your horse against biting flies, especially blackflies. Use fly spray, and outfit your horse with a fly mask that includes ear coverings. Also use ear covers that can be worn with a bridle, especially if you ride in wooded areas near water. Stable your horse at dawn and dusk, when blackflies are most active. DANDRUFF - PRIMARY SEBORRHEA Heredity plays a significant role in cases of primary seborrhea, and it is more common in Arabians and Thoroughbreds. In affected horses, dandruff is likely to be a lifelong issue. Please note, however, that primary seborrhea looks just like secondary seborrhea. The biggest difference is that secondary seborrhea develops in horses that had not previously experienced the condition, although the onset can be very gradual. Secondary seborrhea is a sign that can accompany several potentially serious illnesses, including liver or intestinal disease. The sudden onset of dandruff should be investigated by your vet. Seborrhea can be dry or oily. In the dry form, small flakes of skin appear routinely, usually at the base of the mane and tail, and sand-like flecks may appear on the girth area or anywhere sweat accumulates. Oily seborrhea causes large, waxy crusts, often on the elbows, hocks or lower legs; when peeled off, these may leave hairless patches up to several inches in diameter. Dandruff sometimes causes a fetid odor caused by decaying skin, but the horse is not usually itchy or in pain. Many antidandruff shampoos are available that when used as directed can dissolve flakes and loosen oily scales. It's always best to choose products formulated for use on horses as human products can sometimes be too harsh. Gentle scrubbing with a soft- to medium-bristled brush can help remove crusts. If you have difficulty controlling a stubborn case, talk to your veterinarian, who may recommend other topical medications. She may also suggest performing diagnostic work, such as blood tests, to rule out other causes. Regular grooming will stimulate circulation and natural oil production that will help keep the skin healthy and clean. Feeding vegetable oils, especially omega-3 fatty acids, and supplements that contain biotin may also help promote healthier skin. Talk to your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist before making changes in your horse's diet. MANGE Mange is a parasitic infection caused by several species of tiny mites that can barely be seen by the naked eye. The most common form that occurs in horses in the United States is chorioptic mange, caused by the mite Chorioptes equi. Although rare, horses may also develop psoroptic mange which produces lesions under the mane and tail, under the jaw and in the groin and armpits, and demodectic mange over the face, neck, and shoulders. It appears as small, round bumps at first, soon followed by bald spots, with scaly, thickened skin. In more serious cases the skin may be rubbed raw and show signs of secondary infections. A number of different topical antiparasitic products can be effective against mange. Look for products that contain lime-sulfur solutions, organophosphates or permethrins that can be applied by spraying or sponging. Administering oral ivermectin or moxidectin may also be helpful in some cases. Treatments may need to be repeated three or four times at 12- to 14-day intervals. Call your veterinarian if the infection is severe or does not respond to treatment. She can examine skin scrapings under a microscope to confirm the presence of the mites, and she may suggest an alternative treatment. Oral antibiotics may be necessary to treat secondary infections. Mites usually are passed directly from horse to horse, so do not allow your horse to have contact with others especially Ask the Vet continued from page 5 Arizona’sUltimate,Year-RoundFamilyFunDestination.Arizona’sLargestCollectionofExoticAnimals. NorthernAve.andthe303Freeway•623-935-WILD(9453)•WildlifeWorld.com 20newspecies,including3newRhinos! Don’tMiss OurNew BabyGiraffe, Austin! Don’tMiss OurNew BabySeaLion, Sunny! Zoo,aquariumandsafaripark with6,000animals, 8showsdaily, tonsofrides, athousandthrills andamillionsmiles. AllinOneDay! Enjoythenew 8acreadditiontoour Off Admission Per Person/$20 Value Not valid with any other discounts $ 5 if they have visible bald areas that appear to be itchy. Some horses can carry the mites without showing signs of infection and can be a source of recurrence after other horses are treated. LICE Two types of these parasites infect horses. Chewing lice feed on sloughed-off dead skin cells and are more likely to affect the neck, flanks and the base of the tail. Biting or sucking lice prefer longer hair and may be found under the forelock and mane, the tail and on the pasterns of long-feathered horses. Hair loss from rubbing usually appears first on the shoulders and neck, as well as on the head and the base of the mane and tail. Affected areas are intensely itchy and may also have abrasions and scabs from rubbing and possibly secondary infections. Flattened insects up to two to four millimeters long may be visible if the hair is parted and the skin examined in a good light. Pale, translucent eggs may be attached to nearby hairs. Permethrin sprays, wipe-on insecticidal powders and shampoos are effective against lice. Read and follow label instructions and precautions carefully. Many treatments need to thoroughly coat the skin to be effective, but some products may irritate small cuts and abrasions. Oral ivermectin may be effective, but only against the biting lice. Because the insecticides will not kill eggs, the treatment needs to be repeated in two weeks to eliminate newly hatched adults. Lice can be passed directly from horse to horse, as well as via shared tools and equipment. Isolate affected horses as well as those who have been exposed to them. Clean brushes and small tools with an insecticide, or boil items that will not be damaged by heat. Pads and blankets can be sterilized by machine washing and drying at a high heat setting. Also, spray or scrub down stall walls or paddock fences and change the bedding.