17 August 2023 | Product and Promotions Guide
Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a
common summer problem, as Culicoides
(i.e. gnats, midges, no-see-ums) and
other biting flies become more active.
Different than typical insect bites, IBH
is caused by an allergic reaction that
certain horses have to the insects' saliva,
and clinical signs can range from hives
to hair loss.
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Once you've tested for and confirmed
IBH, it's important to talk to your clients
about different treatment options to try
to ease their horses' suffering.
Talking About IBH Treatments
Part of why it's so important to make sure that owners know the
causes behind IBH is that some of the best management options
are environmental and not medical. Because these biting insects are
most active at dawn and dusk, your clients should avoid turning the
horses out at those times. When the horses are in the barn, box fans
should be set up and kept on to ward off midges with the strong
air currents. Regular barn maintenance, like manure removal and
refreshing still water, can interrupt the breeding cycle, which cuts
down on future bites and allergic reactions.
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On top of these environmental changes, there are a few options
that you can offer for short-term relief and repellancy. Through
your Covetrus
®
Prescription Management storefront, you can
recommend dermatological sprays to soothe the irritation, as well
as repellents to prevent new bites. Work with your clients to choose
the correct repellent, as the active ingredient in most fly sprays,
pyrethrin, breaks down when exposed to the ultraviolet light from
the sun; a good fly spray will also include sunscreen to lengthen
the effectiveness. You can also offer corticosteroids to reduce
inflammation.
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