vet focus
concentration when ridden. This behaviour is often worse when flying insects and midges are around. Diagnosis of sweet itch is not usually difficult as the symptoms and clinical signs listed above and the seasonal nature (spring, summer and autumn) are strong indicators. Symptoms can persist into the winter months depending on climatic and weather conditions (mild damp winters being most favourable for sweet itch), with severely affected horses hardly having any respite before the midge appears again the following spring. Sweet itch is most commonly seen in animals from 4 to 6 years of age as the allergy requires repeated exposure to fly bites to develop which usually takes 2 to 4 summers. The signs of sweet itch can get worse as the animal ages. There is also some evidence that stress and or other disease can be a factor when mature animals develop the condition. Hereditary predisposition may be a factor in Sweet Itch and work is under way to try and identify the gene(s) responsible. Where the horse is born and where it lives as an adult are at least as significant as the bloodlines of its sire and dam. Sweet Itch is not a contagious condition, although if conditions are very favourable to a high Culicoides midge population, more than one horse in a population may show symptoms.
Treatment and Prevention As is the case with most diseases, prevention is better than cure. By preventing the midge from biting the horse or pony, we can attempt to prevent the allergic itchiness from flaring up. In mild cases, commonly available insect repellents may be effective but they must be applied several times a day if they are to work properly Best to use products containing Pyrethrins or Pyrethroids. Products are now available that contain DEET, a longer lasting, more potent repellent used frequently in human products (jungle formula). Changes in management are extremely important in order to try and reduce the level of midge bites. Stabling of horses and ponies when the midges are most active (at dusk and dawn) can be effective. Turning out between 10am and 4pm will safely avoid these times. Keeping affected animals away from the midge breeding areas (muck heaps, open stagnant water, ponds, ditches, wooded areas and boggy fields) will help. A breezy field is also very good as the midge will not land to bite an animal if the wind speed is above a certain level.
www.theequinesite.co.uk
Fans can be used in stables/ corrals to help simulate the wind/breeze. One of the best ways of preventing fly bites is to use a commercially available fly rug. ‘Boett’ rugs provide good coverage of all vulnerable areas. Horseware make the Sweet itch Hoody which is reasonably priced. Obviously a combination of one or more of these management techniques can be applied in order to meet the horse/pony’s specific requirements. Available resources, economics and geographic position all have to all be taken into consideration when making a plan to address the animals condition. Some severe cases of sweet itch may require medical therapy during the spring/ summer months. A single injection of a long acting cortico-steroid is effective at stopping the itchiness of the condition. However using these drugs requires careful consideration and they should not be used in animals with laminitis, or that are at risk of developing laminitis. Once the itchiness has subsided, the use of an effective fly repellent and a rug such is usually enough to prevent sweet itch from returning. An alternative is the daily administration of prednisolone tablets but again these do not come without associated risks. Anti-histimines have limited affects and are cost limiting.
Other treatments include; Benzyl benzoate (difficult to get now) Feed supplements (including Garlic and/or Marmite) Shampoos can be prescribed to reduce the scurfiness and skin surface infections Topical creams and gels (Avon Skin So Soft, Betnovate,…..) Sweet itch can be a very distressing condition but with careful management, even the most severely affected horses and ponies can lead a comfortable life.
The Future Treatments to try and supress the immune system’s response to the midge saliva hold the key to the treatment of sweet itch. This treatment must be safe and reliable. Work is on-going to try and develop a sweet itch ‘Vaccine’ that will attempt to ‘down regulate’ the hypersensitivity reaction in affected horses and ponies so that they make a more ‘normal’ response to being bitten. The results of a large study carried out in 2010 where horses were fed a capsule every week are promising.
Visit
www.sweet-itch.co.uk for more information and up to date results.
love his Autumn Skin
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Summer Skin
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perfect
Love the SKIN he's in is ideal for every horse, including those with sensitive skin, or those prone to skin irritations caused by seasonal conditions.
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www.naf-equine.eu/uk For more details please call
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Equine Page 17
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