Lice
Lice infestation is seen very commonly especially during the winter when horses have their long winter coats.
There are two types of louse found in the UK, the biting-louse, Damalinia equi, and the sucking-louse, Haematospinus asini.
Signs
Affected animals may show mild to severe itching, hair loss, ill temper and loss of condition. In cases of lice infestation in-contact animals will often be affected.
Diagnosis
The clinical signs are usually enough to make a diagnosis, however, lice can be seen under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
There are many treatments available to treat lice usually containing cypermethrin, permethrin or pyrethrins which are applied to the animals coat.