Bloodtest for Sweet itch

S

SKY

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 July 2010
Messages
1,770
Visit site
Just reading up online. Says there is a simple blood test for sweet itch. I phoned my vet he wasn't sure is going to look it up. But has anyone here heard of it. Theres a expensive one that is.£150 but I thought that would be cheap if it worked. But it can bring on laminites (sp). But there's a cheap standard allergy test. Just curious to know.
 
All I can think of is an ELISA, which uses antibodies to detect chosen antigens in the blood, in this case inflammatory cytokines. These are common to any inflammatory condition, though, so it wouldn't conclusively lead to sweet itch. Report back on what you find out!
 
When buying a horse or breeding from a horse in winter months sweet itch can go indected. I found iidex does it and just have to get your vet to send them blood sample. Not all SI are sever suffers but its great to know it can be tested now. Also a horse can be assummed they have SI when really they are allergic to something else.
 
What I don't like is iidex won't answer any question will only discuss with vets. All I wanted to know how accurate it was and is the test new or has it been used a lot. I think they could at least discuss this very strange.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top