Sweet Itch

[chesnutty]

Need some help controlling sweet itch this year! Last summer my boy had it all over his nose, neck, back, tummy...

What is the best way of preventing and treating?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Gosh......... how long have you got????

Have a look re. "sweet itch" in the archives on here........ myself and others have, over the years, contributed quite a few threads/posts on this topic!!!

Main thing is to COVER UP with a proprietory brand sweet-itch hoody rug (like Rambo) whenever midges are around - if you don't do anything else, then if you do this you'll be more than half way there.

But do have a peek at the archives...... a lot there which you'll find useful.

 

[WelshD]

By trial and error I have found a multi pronged control to be best

Regular baths
covering as much as possible with a rug (I use Snuggy Hoods but have also used Rambo and Masta rugs whoch worked too)
Prompt treatent of the tiniest of sores with a cream from the vet (aqueous cream base with Baytril and Betnovate)
Deosect fly repellant
Fly Free supplement (there is one called Skratch but FF has very similar ingredients and is half the price) also Burdock root and a good dose of brewers yeast in feed

Out of everything the bewers yeast made the quickest and most profound difference

 

[Billy the kid]

Need some help controlling sweet itch this year! Last summer my boy had it all over his nose, neck, back, tummy...

What is the best way of preventing and treating?

My welshie has bad sweet itch.

We got told of a strange tip years ago, and now swear by it. You may think its crazy but it works for our pony...............Talcum powder! (its a non sented one) Imperial Leather, original.

We put it all down the crest of his mane, and the dock of his tail. The midges hate it and dont go in it.

We also use a branded barrier cream at worst times.

He is brought out of the field at peak times for midges; evenings are a bad time here.

Also i regularly wash his mane and tail and re-apply the cream and tac or you end up with a right mess!

if after all that he rubs and gets saw (which is rare now), then i apply soothing cream. I think its a NAF product. (cant remember, my mind has gone blank)