For the Health of It
as symptomatic therapy to reduce
pruritus is warranted. In IBH pro-
cedures to decrease exposure to in-
sects should be fully implemented.
Farm sanitation to compost manure
properly, eliminate wet areas with
decomposing vegetation, and the
use of fly predators or feed through
fly inhibitors can greatly reduce fly
populations. Heat, humidity, and
solar radiation exacerbate pruritus,
thus the provision of shade and
wind currents by fans provide relief.
Stabling to avoid the most signifi-
cant insects and the use of fly sheets
and face masks are helpful. Because
some horses develop contact aller-
gies to topical products, judicious
and cautious use of fly repellants is
advisable. Simple feeds and whole
grains are better than mixed, mul-
tiple-grain sweet feeds. Cool-water
rinses and shampoos can rehydrate
and sooth dry skin as well as reduce
the amount of allergens on the skin.
Colloidal oatmeal, pramoxine, and
1 percent hydrocortisone shampoos
or leave-on hydrocortisone rinses
may reduce pruritus and minimize
or reduce the amount of systemic
antipruritic medication needed.
Systemic medications (steroids and
antihistamines) may help interrupt
the itch-scratch cycle, however long
term use, particularly of steroids,
should be avoided. A complete
and detailed investigation into
the etiology of the disease should
occur simultaneously with general
symptomatic care. Intradermal skin
testing to determine antigens for al-
lergen specific immunotherapy may
be helpful, particularly in young
animals with atopy. Clients should
understand that hypersensitivities
and atopy are lifelong. Affected
horses will need continuous man-
agement and/or therapy. Often a
patient may be symptom-free with
low exposure to inciting antigens
and symptomatic as the antigen
load increases. Antigen exposure is
additive, thus comprehensive man-
agement is needed to best control
clinical disease.
CONTACT:
Susan L White, DVM, MS,
DACVIM
slwhite@uga edu • (706) 296-
8607
Department of Large Animal
Medicine College of Veterinary
Medicine University of Georgia
Athens, GA
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