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Sweet itch is a seasonal allergic skin condition caused by fly bites. In the UK the fly most commonly involved is Culicoides pulicaris. All horses and ponies are bitten from time to time without any major signs being seen, however, horses that suffer from sweet itch develop an allergy to the bites causing the characteristic signs.
The fly, Culicoides pulicaris, tends to stay near it's breeding ground, wet areas e.g. ponds, ditches, etc, and is most prevalent when the weather is warm. They appear to be present more from the afternoon and through the evening. |
Signs:
Sweet itch is most commonly first seen in animals from 4 to 6 years of age as the allergy requires repeated exposure to fly bites to develop, this usually takes 2-4 summers. The signs of sweet itch can get worse as the animal gets older.
The signs of sweet itch are usually seen between April and October, however, with the warming weather this period may lengthen. Affected animals show severe itching causing broken hairs, hair loss and scab formation. The areas most commonly affected are the mane, neck, rump and tail. |
Treatment:
The only reliable treatment available at the moment is to prevent the flies biting animals that suffer from sweet itch.
- Stable horses during peak fly activity: Only turn-out for the morning during periods when fly numbers are high.
- Summer sheets and hoods: Many rugs are available that act as a barrier, prevnting flies from biting.
- Insect repellents: There are many repellents available including those containing benzyl benzoate, permethrin, garlic or citronella. In my experience fly repellents containing diethyl toluamide (DEET) are the most effective. A small amount of any new repellent should be tested on a small area of your horse's skin to test for any reaction.
- Move horses to an area away from any ponds or ditches during the summer months.
- Electric fencing to prevent the horse from rubbing on fences etc. can help prevent skin damage, however, does not treat the underlying problem.
- Corticosteroids: Steroids, given by injection or in feed, are very effective at prevent the itching, however, long-term use has been shown that it can cause laminitis.
- Sweet itch vaccine: There is currently a vaccine undergoing trials at the moment. The idea of this is that the injections given will help to reduce the horse's immune response to fly bites and, therefore, reduce the signs of sweet itch. This treatment has great promise, however, is as yet unproven.
In most cases a combination of the above are required to help control sweet itch. The condition is incredibly frustrating to manage, however, it can be done can become easier with time as you better understand the exact nature of your horse's problem. |
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Lameness
