Sweet itch

Fairynuff

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anyone tried Cavalesse and if so, did it work? Im about to start Paolino on it and am praying that it will help. Ive tried everything and so far nothing has really helped , not even cortisones which I hate using. Any advice is more than welcome. M.
 
Sorry im no use, but im going to keep watching this thread too! As my mare suffers from sweet itch. Its horrible and im just using fly spray etc on her .. Im also going to try marmite sandwhiches haha .. Im not sure if she will like them might spit them back out (habbit she has) but if they dont work then im going to try something else. I dont want to give her anything medical though .. but may just invest in a bigger and better fly rug, although she gets itchy and hot in that. We shall see how she is this summer. Also going to keep her hogged all summer. Shame as she has a really nice mane but she just rips so much of it out. She can smell like lemons this spring/summer as thats what the fly spray smells of lol. Unless it doesnt work but its doing some good at the moment :)
 
i have found lotions/potions no good at all.what works for my pony is being covered up.
if the pony starts to itch then it has been bitten already.
prevention is the key.
 
I tried it but it didn't make difference. I was told that it is best to start using it well before the SI season starts, and we weren't able to do that, so perhaps we didn't stand a chance. Basically we've tried pretty much everything and honestly the only solution really seems to be prevention as said above, so get the pony covered up head to toe and avoid the biting bast*rds at all costs!
 
I feed mine Brewers Yeast, don't no how effective it is but you could try it? I also use netex cream and he wears a sweetich rug(Rambo) He isn't itching yet but I'm sure he will start soon. I have to keep his face covered or he will remove all his hair off it. If he gets one bite on his face hes then raw. He was better last yr than the year before, not sure if I managed it better or luck!
 
There is some research that suggests that a double dose of ivermectin, repeated after 2/3 weeks may have a strong effect on sweet itch. They think that some cases may be caused by a parasite introduced to the system by the midges. Doesn't always work but Ivermectin has to be dosed at 10x the recomended to start showing side affects in an adult horse so it is very unlikely a couple of double doses will do any harm and it might well help. I cant find the article I'm afraid as I'm not a student any more and can't access EVJ, there was quite a lot of info on the topic online though if I remember correctly.
 
When my mini first showed signs of scabs we thought it was sweet itch and so did our vet but nothing that we tried worked. So I asked for allergy testing to be done and it came back that Dimby is allergic to grass! this is through absorption we have manage to keep on top of it but it does take a lot of time and try and error in what we do. But Dimby has a very good quality of life now that we can manage it
 
I have just started my Mare this week. My vet says that they had 15 horses in the practice on it last year. Only two had no effect, the others said it made their horses much less itchy. I think we still need to cover up, but I am hoping she will not mutilate her tummy so badly.
 
I have just started my Mare this week. My vet says that they had 15 horses in the practice on it last year. Only two had no effect, the others said it made their horses much less itchy. I think we still need to cover up, but I am hoping she will not mutilate her tummy so badly.

Paolino had his first dose this evening.Will be interesting to see how they get on so keep in touch and we can swap notes!!
 
I for one, as the owner of a severe sweet itcher, would be really grateful if you would both up date on this thread if possible. I have toggled it :)
 
I for one, as the owner of a severe sweet itcher, would be really grateful if you would both up date on this thread if possible. I have toggled it :)

Why dont you try it out on your horse? If you dont start now before the bloody midgies are active, it will be too late. Its recommended that the treatment begins about 3 weeks before the onslaught. I got mine from my vet and it cost about 80 euros. The treatment will cover my pony for 4 months= 2ml per day.
Will keep you up to date on his progress. M.
 
I, too, am about to start Cavalesse for the first time and will be interested to compare notes. Last year was bad for J, so this year I have invested in a Boett and hood, rather than the Rambo Sweetitch hoody that he has worn before. My vet suggested I try the Cavalesse, although he has no prior experience of it, and I have promised to let him know how we get on.
 
Why dont you try it out on your horse? If you dont start now before the bloody midgies are active, it will be too late. Its recommended that the treatment begins about 3 weeks before the onslaught. I got mine from my vet and it cost about 80 euros. The treatment will cover my pony for 4 months= 2ml per day.
Will keep you up to date on his progress. M.



Thanks Mairi

I would try it but I actually have my lads under control atm due to the very exposed field he is in. I can manage his quite easily now but am always interested in new ideas and realise that I may not have this field forever so will watch out for updates:)
 
Little sod has sussed that if he refuses doctored sugar cubes he gets a handful of mix and carrots- still doctored of course but thats beside the point!! Bloody ponies.
PS, what has happened to the 'already crappy' smillies? They are now soooooooooooooooooooooo sad that theyre not worth bothering about...sheesh
 
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