Doramectin injection for horses

[Jaspie]

I own a gorgeous 14 hand appaloosa cob who has recently had problems with mites. He has been treated with fipronil spray and recently antibiotics and steroids for infection and inflammation. I have heard about an injection containing doramectin which seems to be effective but it is not licensed in horses. This makes me hesistant to use it as I would be unable to forgive myself if he had an allergic reaction to it. Does anyone know why it isn't licensed in horses? Is it lack of trials or because there has been a problem with it and what are people's experience of using it?

[thoroughlybred1]

Someone else posted re this not so long back

http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133358

[Wally]

There's lots of stuff that isn't licenced for horses but with sensible precations and advice from a vet it's possible to use them.

You have to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages.

I have heard that if your vet phones the makers and talks to their vets they often have a HUGE database on the drug and its use in other animals, but they just don't have the funding or call, for the drug to be used in the other species, so can't afford the trials.

[eventerbabe]

my cob has had4 of those injections over 2 years with no ill effects :) i'd far rather him have the injections than put up with the discomfort of scabby legs.

[kaytenherponies]

I have had this problem for 6 years :rolleyes:

My horse has had the ivermectin injection for many years without any problems. I also use guinea pig mite spray by Jonhsons. 8 pumps under his feathers on ech leg every 4 weeks. Do a small patch test first though!

[Jaspie]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm fairly new to the horsey world so appreciate the help. I'm pleased to report that he seems to be improving at the moment!!:D

Kaytenerponies... Is the guinea pig spray a prescription medication? Where do you get in from? Also, does it smell strongly? I think one reason why he hates the fipronil spray is that it stinks!!:eek:

[kaytenherponies]

No it you can get it from any pet shop. Its just in with all the small animal flea powders. I got mine from pets at home. Don't know if they are a local company though. Make sure you do a test patch first though. I tried mine just above the back of the knee.

Just been reading about pig oil and sulpher as a preventative measure. Looks good will let you know how I get on!

[kaytenherponies]

Sorry and No it doesn't smell. Well not out of the ordinary anyway.

[Jaspie]

Thanks. I will look out for it. There is a 'Pets at home' fairly near me. I also read about pig oil and sulphur but it sounded complicated!! Let me know what you find out. I'm a great fan of 'as simple as possible'... hence the posting about the injection which would be fab if it works and is safe.

[Jaspie]

Just found the 'pig oil' thread. Will read it soon!!

[Jaspie]

Thanks for the advice:) Jasper seems to have improved with the antibiotics and steroids but not completely and the recent skin sample hasn't shown anything. I have had to clip his beautiful feathers off to get spray properly on him and the vet has taken more samples. He had to be sedated as the scabs/ swelling on the back of his right knee are so sore. After clipping, the skin in that area felt very thick and inflamed and the vet wondered if he had had an abscess there which has been helped by the antibiotics. I am keeping him in tomorrow to allow the frontline spray to work but do I need to think about protection for his legs (sudocream/ boots) as his feet are now naked!! The next thing will be that he will get mud fever!!!:eek:The vet thought I could turn him out as normal but wanted to see what you guys thought.:D

[kaytenherponies]

Poor little boy, my kallum knows how he feels he has to go thru that every3 to 4 months his legs are horrific. That Pig oil and sulpher is fab is takin all the thick scabby bits off would def reccomend it. Also the sulpher prevents the mites coming back.

I would turn him out tomorrow but put loads and loads of sudocrem on the sore bits. Def dont put boots on I made that mistake 1st time round and he ended up with a secondary infection. It wont do him harm to stay in though if your worried about it.

Hey if I lived nearer we could compare scabs lol!!!

[Jaspie]

Thanks. His clipping is a bit uneven. Where do you clip to??:confused:

[kaytenherponies]

Up to his knees if I am just doing his legs. You can use a comb to graduate it in so it looks more natural. I also take all the long hairs of the bak of his legs right up to the top. He has a full body clip every 5 weeks but am leavin his legs on at the moment because I hate them clipped makes his feet look ginormous also he is a sod to have his legs done so needs sedating every time!