Horse Ear Problems
December 21, 2011
Our expert explains an uncomfortable ear problem horses can face.
An America’s Horse Daily reader submitted a question about a horse who she thinks has horse ear mites.
Tom R. Lenz, D.V.M., M.S., Dipl. A.C.T., offers some sound advice about horse ear problems. Dr. Lenz is an American Association of Equine Practitioners member veterinarian and a regular columnist in The American Quarter Horse Journal.
Question:
I am pretty sure my 14 year old mare has horse ear mites in her left ear (her right ear is fine). She will not let me touch her ear and it is a challenge to get the bridle on (I had to take the bridle apart the other day when I rode her, and she was fine). I do not see any swelling or any kind of abrasions around the ear.
How do I get the mite medicine in her ear? Her ear must be very sore. She normally will put her head down for me to put the bridle on. She has already broken her lead rope twice by sitting back when I approach the ear. I do not have a stock to put her in. I have tried treats, showing her the bottle, rubbing the bottle around her face and she is fine with all that but the minute I get near the ear, she throws her head or sits back. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Alisa Richey
Answer:
Horses, unlike dogs and cats, do not get ear mites. However, they can be infested with spinous ear ticks that live in the ear canal and cause a great deal of pain. They can also have a foreign object in the ear canal that may cause pain and inflammation, or they may be suffering from an external ear infection.
Before you begin treatment, it is important that a definitive diagnosis is made, as the various conditions require different treatment. I would suggest that you have your local veterinarian examine the horse to determine the exact problem. They can sedate the horse and then use an otoscope to look deep into the ear.
Once the cause of the problem is determined, your veterinarian can prescribe treatment and even give you tips on how to administer it.
Dr. Lenz offers more horse health advice in AQHA’s “Your Horse’s Health” DVD series.
Comments
5 Comments on “Horse Ear Problems”
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I HAVE USED CAMPHOR FOR A LONG TIME AFTER FINDING TICKS
IN THEIR EARS WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS OK?
THANKS GLENN
January 31st, 2009 at 10:59 am
I had horse which had a reaction to the ear tick bites. It was the worst tie up I had ever seen. The horses muscles where as hard as wood. Horse had to be hospitalized at vet hospital.
June 1st, 2009 at 9:00 pm
You will probably need someone to assist you and twitch your horse to get the meds. down in there. WATCH OUT after you put it in she may thrash her head violently and you don’t want to get hurt.
This is how my vet and i treated my whole herd.
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:19 pm
The best thing I have found that works is using repelex concentrate full strength. Either w/ cotton or a rag, saturate, then place in the ear, then massgae the ear from the outside. What ever is in there is now dead. Do this for a couple of days or until you notice a difference. You should by day 2 or 3. I have never had to this for more than 5 days. I have always used this to clean my horses and dogs ears out and have never had a problem w/ ticks or mites.
January 9th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
We are having the same problem Alisa Richey wrote you about. We cannot get around my sons horses head. You have to take the bridle apart. she will not let you touch the ears. I can massage her head next to her ear and she acts as tho it relaxs her as if they itch inside. I have heard that mineral oil works is this true?