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Topic Dog Boards / Health / Harvest mites
- By Noora Date 25.08.10 22:43 UTC
Both of my dogs have had redness between their toes, little irritated areas/lumps.
I put this down to grass seed that gets stuck irritating the skin...
I stopped walking them for a little in areas where they get seeds stuck and to my amazement their toes have got worse.

I was having a look today and noticed little orange spots between their toes - Harvest mites, that explains it!
I was little surprised a dog that has never had any such issues(even tho she has collected grass seed on our walks through her life) suddenly this summer started having issues. We have moved and have big grassy garden!

Now, I would like to get ideas of what works for these little nasties?
I have had a quick search and thornit(the ear stuff) is mentioned as is frontline, minty shampoos, teatree oil...
So many different suggestions I would like to hear what people have used, how and if it worked?

I feel such a bad mummy for being so stupid and not thinking of mites earlier!
- By JeanSW Date 25.08.10 23:00 UTC
I can remember a thread last year, and one of the CD'ers with Beardies - so hairy feet, recommended putting thornit in a bag, putting foot in bag, and shaking.
- By goldie [gb] Date 26.08.10 10:30 UTC
One of mine had a case of them a couple of weeks ago....I washed all her feet everyday with hibiscrub for a week and it did seem to work...no more nibbling and scratching.
- By Lacy Date 26.08.10 10:54 UTC
If any problems, wash feet in diluted hibiscrub and use thornit.
- By sunshine [gb] Date 26.08.10 10:55 UTC
Thornit or Boric powder worked for me.
- By dogs a babe Date 26.08.10 11:47 UTC
Re Harvest Mites. One of mine came home from my mother in laws with these very recently.  He's been going there for years and doing the same walks, and he's been since with no reccurence BUT on this occasion I had run out of garlic tablets which I normally give daily. Incidentally the only time this dog has had a tick was when I hadn't given garlic for a few days!

Harvest Mites are pretty easy to remove as they don't hang on but I used Advocate (cos I had some in the cupboard), then wiped some Dermacton over the spots where I'd seen the mites (front legs), then 24 hours later a Hibiscrub wash. No itching, no repeat, no drama, thank goodness. My other dog, who had been in all the same places, didn't seem to have any HM's but got the Hibiscrub wash for good measure.

Garlic and Fenugreek tablets from Dorwest Herbs are expensive but I feel they work as a good catch all on a host of issues. I could give fresh garlic in small doses but find the tablets easier

By the way, Harvest Mites are more common on chalky soil - is that what you have?
- By WestCoast Date 26.08.10 16:26 UTC
I would like to get ideas of what works for these little nasties?
Benzyl benzoate.
- By G.Rets [gb] Date 26.08.10 17:05 UTC
Ditto, benzyl benzoate was what I used to use but I believe that pharmacists now give the third degree if anyone tries to buy it.
Used to buy a huge bottle, now only allowed to buy a very small one I believe. Another sign of the times!
- By Lacy Date 26.08.10 20:24 UTC
If any one can tell me where to buy benzyl benzoate I would be really grateful, finished mine some time ago and can't find it even through a friendly pharmicist. Do not want huge amounts. Many thanks.
- By tadog [gb] Date 26.08.10 20:45 UTC
I hate thouse wee mites. do they also get known by the name of berry bugs? or are these differant?
- By Noora Date 26.08.10 22:58 UTC
They have loads of different names used online.
I have ordered some thornit powder and got some hibiscrub from a friend.
I have also bought Dorwest shampoo that is supposed to leave a minty smell on the dog and prevent ticks etc might work on harvest mite too as some places mentioned it.
we have some frontline spot on so will use that if needed but will first try the other tricks as I don't like to use chemicals if possible and have not found Frontline to work 100% anyway(with ticks).
Spray might be better but I don't think you can get that without seeing a vet and getting a prescription?
- By WestCoast Date 27.08.10 07:19 UTC
Lacy, I haven't bought any for some time but it's used for sweet itch in horses so a local horsey place may be able to help. :)
These people sell it if you search for benzyl benzoate on their site  www.viovet.co.uk.
- By LucyMissy [gb] Date 27.08.10 07:40 UTC

>>Benzyl benzoate.


I've been advised to use this for mites in horse's feather but have always used pig oil and sulphur (sorry I know I'm going off topic) - What would I do with the Benzyl Benzoate? Just pour it on?
- By G.Rets [gb] Date 27.08.10 19:25 UTC
Need to dilute the benzyl benzoate to be quite weak (sorry, can't remember the dilution.) Use cotton wool to apply it or dip the dogs' toes in it in small container.
- By Ells-Bells [gb] Date 29.08.10 13:37 UTC
You can still get litre bottles from Hyperdrug...
- By colliecrew [gb] Date 29.08.10 15:01 UTC
I've never used Thornit but my dog has harvest mites again this year! His feet are quite badly effected and the itch is driving him wild. I've been bathing with dilute hibiscrub but thought I would try out Thornit. Can anyone tell me - given I will have to dust his feet - will Thornit have any ill effect if he licks his paws after dusting with the Thornit?

Many thanks
- By jeanlyon [gb] Date 01.09.10 17:11 UTC
Hi, I have always used thornit for my dog's ears, but she now has a rash which is not fleas and I suspect harvest mites or grass mites.  I have put some on her tummy today a few hours ago and she has not scratched since.

I have used it for paws as well.  I don't think there is any ingredient in Thornit that will harm if your dog licks it.
- By jeanlyon [gb] Date 01.09.10 17:14 UTC
Just to also explain.  Boric Acid and Zinc Oxide used to be used for eye baths when I was a kid and the other ingredient Iodoform is used by dentists, or was.
- By Noora Date 01.09.10 22:03 UTC
Just an update.
Hibiscrub wash and thornit... Worked like a miracle!
Only few toes have little redness& no bumps anywhere and that was after one wash and thornit treatment!
I will continue to put the thornit in as they will obviously re-infect themselves (the mites come from our garden) but I'm so pleased how quickly it worked having used different ointment for few weeks not realising it was mites.
Topic Dog Boards / Health / Harvest mites

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