Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pediculosis in two research ponies (Equus caballus).
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science : JAALAS
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Sorrell, Melanie S et al.
- Affiliation:
- College of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Two research ponies, both geldings, developed a lice infestation called pediculosis after being moved from pasture to indoor housing. Initially, they showed no signs of lice during a four-week quarantine and for several months afterward. Once indoors, they began to experience intense itching, which led to skin lesions on their necks. A diagnosis confirmed they were infested with a type of louse called Bovicola equi. The ponies were treated successfully with standard wound care and a special spray, highlighting the importance of being alert to signs of lice even in healthy animals.
Abstract
Horses and ponies are used infrequently in research but may be valuable animal models for studying both equine-specific diseases and biomedical applications. We report here 2 cases of pediculosis in random-source ponies. Infestation and clinical signs were not present during a 4-wk quarantine period or for 3 to 9 mo thereafter but became apparent coincident with the ponies' movement from pasture to indoor housing. These 2 geldings presented with pruritus associated with excoriating lesions on the neck, and infestation with Bovicola (Werneckiella) equi Denny, 1842 was diagnosed. Ponies were treated successfully with standard wound care and a spray containing 2.0% permethrin and 0.05% pyriproxyfen. These cases highlight the importance of recognizing the possibility of louse infestation, even in healthy, well-cared-for animals, and the need for personnel to be aware of early behavioral signs of infestation, such as rubbing and agitation.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20819398/