Horses Sweetich

[petmar]

My pony seems to have sweet itch i have tried homeopathic tablets, lotions from the vet but this still doesn's seem to help. does any one know any other treatments or lotions that could cure sweet itch? many thanks

[Clanad]

We occasionally experience Sweet Itch in our cow ponies here in the western U.S. The malady, at least here, is seasonal since it's primary cause are certain varities of flies often lumped together under the name of "midge". Our Vet says there are basically two types of flies that are causal. One, the most common, bites the horse on the upper parts of the horses body, especially around the head, wethers and base of the tail. The other, less common, bites lower parts of the horses body. This causes itching, which the horse tries to alleviate by rubbing, often with disatrous, infectious results if left untreated
Our flies tend to breed and stay fairly near a source of water... especially pasture ponds. Keeping the horse as far away from the sources helps. Keep in mind that the flies are seasonal... spring through late summer. We do spray the water areas for flies since they can also cause problems with the cattle.
I realize many like to use "natural" or homeopathic cures, but, in all seriousness, we've found that cortisonal salves supplied by the Vet to be most effective.
Barring that, if you can, stable your pony in the venening until late morning since the flies tend to be most active during that period. You could also cover the pony with a light weight rug and hood during the daylight hours. There are preventive sprays available that are very effective but are chemically compounded...
Best of luck!

[woofgang]

petmar I am a bit concerned that the vet you use didn't talk to you about managing the problem as well as treating the soreness/infection.

Its not an unusual problem and the cause and management are well known (just google). Does your vet treat ponies other than yours?

[jules77]

I can thoroughly recommend the products from Aromesse for both sweet itch and mud fever, in fact I have used their cream Aromaheel for numerous skin related problems on horses, and they improve almost overnight and you can actually see the hair growing on wounds within a few days.

http://www.aromesse.com/pages/products.php

[showcatbenga]

Most of the treatments for sweet itch either treat the inflamation (a bute will reduce swellings) that results from allergic reaction to the midge bites that are thought to cause it, or try to prevent the bites in the first place.
It can depend very much where your pony is stabled & grazed - if conditions favour the midge the sweet itch is bad whereas somewhere else you could get away with minimal management tecniques.
Using specalist barrier rugs plus neck/belly covers & topical fly repellent coupled with carefully selecting the grazing times could minimise or prevent exposure & give you complete control.
I agree with other abers, you need to research the problem, solutions & management tecniques.
I had a Fell pony who was quite badly affected if left out 24hrs even with a rug & long acting fly killer. When kept stabled with no grazing there was no problem. You may have to consider stabling full time during the worst affected months & only turning out during the winter. You may also consider re-homing your pony (sell or loan) to someone whose stables & grazing are not as badly affected by midges or who can offer a full time indoor home. Away from shady trees & water sources. Exposed windy fields seem to be good guidelines.

[petmar]

Thank you very much for your comments it will be a great help any other suggestions welcome once again thank yoou