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Discussion on Small bumps-hives or Onchocerca or just response to bugs
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2003 - 9:53 am:
Hi Dr. O,
First, My pony (Welsh)who has sweet itch has had his first summer without needing ADT. His tail is intact and so is his mane and his midline looks great. There is no obsessive rubbing except after being ridden. It usually starts before the ride is over. He bites at his skin around the girth area and when the saddle is removed he goes crazy biting and loves it when I continue the scratching with a curry mostly the girth area and under the flap over the saddle area on both sides. He hasn't been ridden much for the last 2 years but he started this behavior at the end of the riding season 3 years ago. I've washed the saddle pad with mild soap and double rinsed it in the wash machine the girths have been leather(long) or synthetic (wintec short). He also has a cough just after his first couple of trots, this too has been going on for a few years.
Second, my horse(Arab) keeps getting hives or small bumps on his face, along his shoulders and trunk. At first I thought it was from bugs, but it seems to get worse after sponging him off after a ride. This is the first summer he has had this problem and this is his second episode this summer. Our stall bedding is pine shavings.
Both of them are turned out on pasture during the day only, with rambo and or boett fly sheets and masks. They are in a dry paddock with access to their stalls from 6- 8:00. They usually get a break from their clothes mid day when i bring them up to ride.
Could the two guys have a similar cause to their problems? It has been very humid and rainy for weeks and everything is on the verge of molding. Could they be sensative to this? Or is it heat sensativity? The thought of it being parasite related also concerns me. They were last wormed with ivemetin in March and I had a fecal run for the first time in July which was neg. I planned on following the worming program based on their fecal results but this makes me nervous could we be missing something? Kim
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2003 - 6:38 am:
This is not onchocerca related Kim but other than that I cannot say. I don't think these problems are related strongly but you might find in both cases cold (well) water is pallative. I do think it is likely that your tack could excerbate your chronic problem with midge bites. A coupla of episodes of hives is so common that I would not be too worried about this: they come they go and rarely will you know why. The article on hives describes this and treatment in greater detail. Most important is to continue to monitor the skin closely for signs of disease: rain rot and grease heel is rampant right now in our water logged areas.
DrO
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2003 - 1:05 pm:
Thanks Dr. O. I read the article on hives during my horses first bout and decided no to worry and they slowly went away after about a week. He didn't seem bothered by them. Foxy's issue with the tack is bother some as I would like to get him back into condition so children can ride him.
I have cough free (which might help with a allergic reaction-cough and itch related?)but oh my that stuff is strong. I actually tasted it and it is spicey!  Foxy eats bute tabs with a handful of grain but even this stuff is too much for him. The dex didn't help with the saddle issue last year but he isn't on dex this year. Do you think I should try again with ADT or should we be doing antihistamines?
The only things he gets on a reg basis is cidinidine(SP?)for his melanoma and Cosequin. Kim
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2003 - 6:53 am:
Start with an antihistimine and don't be surprised if it doesn't work then turn to ADT if the problem warrants it. YOu might experiment with different pad/girth materials also.
DrO
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