Sweet itch that isn't sweet itch

Pyrgirl · Sweet itch that isn't sweet itch

I just wanted to post on a subject that I first encountered in the SC threads and which then got transferred to the COTH forum last year. I don't even know how to access that thread any more, but thought my experience might be interesting or helpful to someone here. I think it was Leah who started the thread on SC (I'm not sure I remember right, but if it was, I thank you, Leah!)

My horse had terrible terrible sweet itch problems on his belly every summer. It was so bad he would have open oozing sores that the flies would congregate on and make worse and worse. I tried everything in the world to help with this. We put SWAT on twice a day just to keep some of the pests off, I sprayed him, wiped him with every conceivable potion and paste. Then I found this fly sheet that went around his belly. It was quite a contraption that also covered his manliness and involved rinsing out that special cover twice a day. He coud easily urinate through it, but I sure didn't enjoy keeping it clean. He was grateful to wear it though it sure looked stupid. The other horses even learned to ignore it. I thought we had the best answer possible for him.

Then someone posted that sometimes sweet itch isn't sweet itch but really a worm problem. The recommendation was to do Equimax at increased dosages in 2 week intervals to kill the worms (they live in the neck and muscles.) It was October when I found this. I decided to try it since by then he was living at home with me and not boarded. I did it, and everything cleared up beautifully! He healed and was itch free. I thought it was pretty amazing but still in the back of my mind I thought - well, it's also fall and the weather is cooler and it's really hard to tell what the reason is. So this spring he started developing the same condition around the middle of May. We did the Equimax/ivermectin routine. Now it is the end of June and my horse hasn't had to wear any silly belly sheet. He is healed on his belly. I am so very very happy!

The only other thing we are doing different that I can think of is that he's on Springtime garlic powder at a double dose since March. That also seems to help with the flies for him. Someone told me that if you give raw apple cider vinegar you can also kill the larva of these buggers. I know the ivermectin only battles the adults. I haven't gotten to a store to get the vinegar so don't know about that yet.

Anyway - hope that helps, and thanks, Leah!!