jelibean
Well-Known Member
Am i right in thinking that an outbreak of sweetitch would be unusual for this time of year?
SWEETITCH
- Thread starter jelibean
- Start date
carthorse
Well-Known Member
Think it would be slightly strange if he has never shown signs before , have you changed routine or diet,is he getting warm because of long coat or rug?
Honeypots
Well-Known Member
Unusual but not impossible. There are still plenty of midges around..
Has the horse shown signs before? My sweet itch cob is still scratching..its pretty much year round these days due to milder weather and less frosts
Has the horse shown signs before? My sweet itch cob is still scratching..its pretty much year round these days due to milder weather and less frosts
Bedlam
Well-Known Member
How old is your horse? My friend's horse only started to show signs of 'sweetitch' at about 5 yrs old. She had him blood tested and it turned out he was allergic to may things, but niot the specific midge that causes sweetitch (cucloides?). One of his main problems was Rye grass, but there were others........
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
Whats he doing / where's he itching?
Id keep a close eye on it because one of mine I thought always had sweet itch as he'd itch his mane out every summer. Then he kept itching all last winter as well so basically all year round! I had an allergy test done on him. Turns out he doesn't have sweet itch at all (didnt show an allergy to the midge), instead he's allergic to most grasses, dustmites and hay moulds
So we've had a vaccine made which he's on now for the next 6 months. Hope it helps or don't know what we'll do...
Just be aware - its not ALWAYS sweet itch! If it is, I have a Boett sitting here not in use anymore!!
Id keep a close eye on it because one of mine I thought always had sweet itch as he'd itch his mane out every summer. Then he kept itching all last winter as well so basically all year round! I had an allergy test done on him. Turns out he doesn't have sweet itch at all (didnt show an allergy to the midge), instead he's allergic to most grasses, dustmites and hay moulds
Just be aware - its not ALWAYS sweet itch! If it is, I have a Boett sitting here not in use anymore!!
jelibean
Well-Known Member
Erm sorry, should have been clearer, not my horse at all so have no answers as to type of itching ect. I was asked advice for a sweetitch treatment by a friend, I advised that i wasnt sure that her horse would only just be having a outbreak at this time of the year and explained the basic info that I was aware of about it being an allergic reaction to biting insects and that it would have been more apparent in the summer months if this horse was going to suffer with it. Hes an older horse (13), and doesnt appear to have suffered with it in the past.
I was more curious as im always happy to be corrected when wrong, i have never been unfortunate enough to have an animal suffer with sweetitch but have seen other people nearly tearing theyre hair out over the condition. Im thinking: Hibiscrub any affected area and treat with a moisturing cream for a day or two incase its just a basic case of itchy scuzzzy stuff which usually occurs at this time of year due to grease and sweat.
Any thoughts?
I was more curious as im always happy to be corrected when wrong, i have never been unfortunate enough to have an animal suffer with sweetitch but have seen other people nearly tearing theyre hair out over the condition. Im thinking: Hibiscrub any affected area and treat with a moisturing cream for a day or two incase its just a basic case of itchy scuzzzy stuff which usually occurs at this time of year due to grease and sweat.
Any thoughts?
jasperchaz
New User
I found neem oil to be very good. Helps clear up any rub patches/sores from rubbing. Is rather expensive for the amount you get but you don't need to put a lot on. Can get it from holistic suppliers. My old boy is a sweetitch sufferer and I continue over the winter with Equi Dermis supplement from Feedmark. Unless we get constant heavy frosts, the midges will be hanging about!