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Post by eveadel on Aug 9, 2005 17:35:14 GMT 1
This is slightly non horsey - I was just wondering if someone could advise the cause of sweet itch? I know there are many ways to treat or control it. Can you advise some good remedies that have worked.
I am wondering if a dog with itchy skin could be treated with sweet itch supplements??
Many thanks
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varkie
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by varkie on Aug 9, 2005 18:09:27 GMT 1
Sweet itch is caused by an allergy to the saliva from the bite of the midge. I'm not aware of any dogs who suffer from it, though I guess they could? I guess technically if they were allergic to midges then sweet itch treatments might work, but do be careful about cross species treatment - things formulated for horses will not have been trialled on dogs.
As to what remedies work, different things seem to work for different people & their horses. Personally I have tried practically every lotion, potion & supplement, and none of them seemed to make a difference to my pony. What did work for us was cutting out added sugar & garlic & grain in her diet as these made her worse, electricing off her field so she couldn't itch, and putting a Boett blanket on.
There appear to be three types of injection on the market to treat it. One is a steroid, which can have bad side effects including laminitis, so I don't have that one. One is one which seems to gradually desensitise the horse I think - anyone have this & can give more info? The last one is the one I'm hanging out for - its not yet fully available, but is being trialled, and should be on market within a couple of years, and thats an actual vaccine.
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becky
Novice Poster
Posts: 3
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Post by becky on Aug 10, 2005 14:44:00 GMT 1
the best thing to do is cover the horse up and reduce the chance of it being bitten. Call Snuggy Hoods, they do a Sweet Itch rug. Also, Net tex stop itch salve!
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