INSECT BITE HYPERSENSITIVITY GENETIC COMPONENT
Researchers have discovered a gene defect in the skin epithelial surface barrier of horses with insect bite allergies. This is why some horses have an insect bite skin allergy while others in the same pasture do not. This gene defect is hereditary, so the offspring of the affected mares will develop the allergy too. With the insect bite hypersensitivity, the skin becomes inflamed from the bites and does not have the immunity it needs to protect itself from the bites. Treatment of insect bite hypersensitivity is:
1. Cortisone, anti-itch medicine, Zaracyl for open sores
2. Insect bite prevention with citronella natural fly sprays, diluted skin so soft, or fly be gone. To be effective, the sprays must be applied at dawn and dusk.
3. Confine the horse to its stall at dawn and dusk.
The good news is a frost usually occurs in October which kills the insects until next May.
ZARACYL
Zaracyl is a new wound cream to treat fresh wounds or chronic non healing wounds that have biofilm and proud flesh. A biofilm is a protective coating made by the bacteria on the surface of the wound that delays healing. Zaracyl has nano particles of silica which favors wound healing. It stimulates the T cell immune response of the wound healing cells and the production of new skin cells. The nano particles carry the orthosilica drug thru the biofilm. It is also antibacterial. It can be used topically or under a bandage. I have used it successfully healing large deep leg wounds without the production of proud flesh (excess granulation tissue)
SUMMER SORES
Now that the flies are back, they can create a summer sore on an open wound or in the corner of a draining eye. The flies transmit a habronema parasite into the wound tissue. The habronema larva migrate in the wound causing excess scar tissue, sulphur granules, and inflammation swelling. We are seeing summer sores due to the resistance of the habronema parasite to Ivermectin. Treatment is to surgically cut out the affected tissue, inject ivermectin in the wound and apply it topically, and worming with ivermectin weekly. Prevention is protecting the wounds from flies such as bandaging wounds on the legs. On wounds that can’t be covered, apply fly repellent ointments (Swat) or sprays several times a day (Scarlet Oil, Cut N Heal).
OIL
CBD can be used for pain or behavioral difficulties. CBD mediates the release of cytokines from immune cells to reduce inflammation and pain. It also affects receptors in the brain for anxiety reduction. The dose is 250 mg twice a day orally.
EIA
Equine Infectious Anemia EIA is what the Coggins test is for. It has almost been irradicated from the US except for some positive Coggins in Mexican match race horses. In 1970 there were 50,000 positive Coggins tests. In 1990 there were 1000-4000 positive Coggins tests. In 2021 there were 80 positive Coggins tests in 1.4 million horses tested with 40 of them being Mexican match race horses.
VACCINE GUARANTY
ZOETIS and Boeringer have guaranty on their vaccines should your horse come down with the flu after being vaccinated by the vet. Both pay for testing. Zoetis pays for testing and treatment. Zoetis has the CORE and Flu/ Rhino Innovaator vaccine. Boeringer has the 7 way Vetera Gold vaccine.
FECAL TESTING / DE-WORMING
Fall fecal testing should be done this month on the adult horse. Often the result is negative or very few parasite eggs, so worming is not needed until April. Young horses do not have the worm resistance of adult horses. Worm the weanling, yearling or two year old now. Use the foal dose of Panacur, or a double dose of Safegard for the weanling, and Strongid for the yearling or two year old horse.
HORSE WEEK TV
October 9-15- Horse week film festival and documentaries. Access at HorseWeek.TV on PCs and Mac or streaming. This is sponsored by Boeringer vaccine company
CASTRATION SIGNS
September 29-October 7.
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