(sometimes) Lice and mites on Falabellas

When winter arrives, our Falabellas develop their super-insulated winter coat. A healthy Falabella has a thick, shiny coat that lies evenly over its body. But then you'll notice your Falabella starts rubbing, searching for every possible spot in the stable and outside. This can lead to chafing, bald patches, and wounds. The warm, thick winter coat is an ideal hiding place for lice, making them difficult to detect.

It is best to part the coat a little in the warmest places, such as under the forelock and under the mane, and then look for small reddish-brown bugs or white dots, also called nits.

Some common biters include:

• Biting lice: These feed on the blood of the Falabella and are mainly found in thick manes and tails. They do not spread easily over the entire body.
• Biting lice: More active, they migrate across the entire body of the Falabella and can survive for up to 4-5 weeks. They feed on hair flakes and skin cells and are often found on the neck, chest, and withers.
• Mites: These are more common on the legs, especially where there are a lot of socks and wallpaper. Falabellas often stamp their legs in response to mites.

Falabellas are severely affected by these parasites, which are also contagious. It's important to intervene quickly and efficiently to prevent other Falabellas from becoming infected.

Combating lice and nits can be a challenging task, especially on a winter coat. Veterinarian treatments can help, but this must be repeated several times. Another option is to shave the Falabella, which prevents the parasites from hiding and makes treatment with sprays and baths easier. An alternative is diatomaceous earth, a natural product that can be powdered and massaged in, which dehydrates and kills lice.

It is important to take action as young animals can be weakened by a lice infestation and suffer permanent damage to the surface of their skin.