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| Author |
Message |
    
Patti G.
| | Posted on Monday, May 3, 1999 - 11:40 am: |   |
We've got two horses and I'm looking for some ideas on how to help with the bugs in the ears. Their ears seem to be getting bit inside. We've wiped fly wipe on their ears, but I'm wondering what would help clear up the bites that are there now and is their something else that would work better for the ears? I think it's gnats causing the problem. Thanks :) |
TJ Gilbert
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 1999 - 3:40 pm: | |
Dear Patti-
I find that a coating of vaseline around the outer ear seems to work. TJ Gilbert |
The Advisor Vet, RN Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 1999 - 4:12 pm: | |
I like the Vaseline idea. These guys land on the outside then climb in. We did a 4H experiment many years ago when face flies where very bad one summer. We put Wipe, Swat, and Vaseline around the eyes to see which prevented flies the best. Vaseline was the most effective, longest lasting, best tolerated of the three.
If you continue to have problems perhaps you could combine Deep Woods Off (wiped, not sprayed) applied the whole ear in and out and then a layer of Vaseline around the edge.
Lastly when things are real bad they make ear covers, both by themselves and built into face masks.
Generally the bites themselves need no treatment just prevent further damage.
DrO |
martin green
| | Posted on Saturday, May 8, 1999 - 6:18 pm: | |
my 3 yr old mare often shakes her head, their appears to be small white lesions inside her ears. could these be mites. |
The Advisor Vet, RN Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Sunday, May 9, 1999 - 9:49 am: | |
Hello martin,
Probably not, the white crusty lesions are areas of chronic inflammation secondary to fly bites. This is a very common occurence. And, no they are not a fungus for those out ther who are going to write it in. They are technically described as areas of depigmentation and hyperkeratosis. That would translate into raised, white spots.
The fly bites set up the acute inflammation that results in death of the melantocytes (the cells that produce the pigment). With exposure over time the skin produces extra keratin giving them a raised slighly crusty appearence. Once they have developed they are ususally permanent. Probably because no matter what you do, there will still be some flies that get through.
I suspect your horse is telling you, "I am getting bit around the head a lot". Follw the helpful hints above and realize that if we could cure flies...
DrO |
Bunny Delgado (Wabbit94)
| | Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2001 - 9:09 pm: | |
Hi Patti,
I use Swat in my horses ears. It works wonderfully and I've been using it for probably 15 years. It comes in pink-which makes my grey look like a giant rabbit- or clear, which I was able to find last summer. The horses don't mind it and its less messy than vasoline. Hope you try this-I think you will be pleased.
Bunny |
Maureen Mc Aree (Maureen)
| | Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2001 - 9:57 pm: | |
What is "Swat"?
Also, when my mare finally has her foal, what sort of fly repellant is safest to use on the baby?
Thanks! |
3rsatsmf (3rsatsmf)
| | Posted on Monday, Mar 5, 2001 - 11:33 am: | |
I use Gnat-Away creme in my horse's ears; it is a softer, less-insecticide-like product that probably doesn't sting. He tolerates it well despite having those white spots Dr. O talks about above. He's very sensitive to his ears. I wasn't "allowed" to put a fly mask on him at his old barn but this year at our new place I plan to use both - a fly mask with ears and the Gnat Away.
Dr. O - is there any reason to believe those white spots of chronic inflammation are causing my horse any discomfort? If so, would some sort of neosporin ointment with lidocaine help any? Any other ideas?
Thanks |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2001 - 6:19 am: | |
Hello 3ratsmf,
You got to do something about that name! No the white spots represent dipigmentation and hyperkeratosis so are not painful. However they do indicate a sensitivity to midge biting so there may be a pain issue during the midge season.
DrO |
3rsatsmf (3rsatsmf)
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2001 - 9:57 am: | |
Midge season??? How to address the pain then? Topical? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 7, 2001 - 6:40 am: | |
I would try to avoid getting the ears bit, see the above discussions and also: the sections in the Disease Skin menu that talk about biting flies. I don't think appling topical anesthetics is a practical solution.
DrO |
Anthony T. Regalbuto (Theman)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 8, 2001 - 8:20 pm: | |
It seems the white spots are there for all horses with this problem. however, When I look in my horses's ears, I dont see white spots, but a crust-like appearance, perhaps red instead of white. In any case, the crusts scrape off easily. but I know there's discomfort there based on the way my horse acts when I scrape the insides of her ears. She hasn't been shaking her head near as much as I can tell. What other ear problems would cause crust inside the ears, and what are the symptoms associated with ear mites. One more thing, isn't there an anti-biotic out there that would clear up these types of conditions. |
Denise Haupert
Member
Username: Den845
Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2003 - 3:37 pm: | |
From what I've read, gnats are not biting insects. They are confused with black flies (which look similar). Black flies are the ones that bite. Gnats are just annoying as they like to swarm around the highest point (like our heads), and sometimes accidentally get into the eyes.
Anyway, I've made my own ear covers to sew onto Farnam's Supermask, as I am suspicious that the mesh they make their ear covers from would be too warm in the hot sun. Also, a tip I learned from another horse owner is to apply a thin coat of used motor oil to the areas prone to black fly bites--THINLY in the ears, and between legs, throat area, etc. Isn't messy as it sounds. |
Deirdra Bragdon
New Member
Username: dutch
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 12:32 am: | |
Has anyone had trouble with the flies or gnats getting deep down in the ears?
Is there something I can use to clean out the ears that is safe for horses? |
Judy Henslee
Member
Username: judyhens
Post Number: 96
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 9:29 am: | |
The above thread gives some good information. We are in Texas and, with the serious rains we have had, are fighting this also. We may try the Vaseline route around the ears. I can see the little rascals getting stuck in that! Currently, we have found that the original, white Desitin rubbed on the outer and inner top part of the ears does a good job. The skin is less irritated and the hair is growing back where the horses have rubbed the outside of their ears on the fences. We tried the fly masks with ears. The horses succeeded in rubbing the masks off! Anyway, since we are dealing with this also, I will watch this thread with interest!
Judy
0 0
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Deirdra Bragdon
New Member
Username: dutch
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 - 1:53 am: | |
Thanks Judy.
We had a really wet spring and a really wet winter so the larva has hatched at warp speed.
I'll try the Desitin.
I would use fly masks but I happen to have 4 jokesters and I would imagine the deer would be wearing them by the end of the day. LOL.
I hope the rain has let up for you guys. I hear its just been aweful. |
