THE CONDITION Sweet itch is suff ered by horses which have a hypersensitive reaction to midge bites. Th e horse will bite, rub and scratch the aff ected area, resulting in hair loss and skin damage. Th e most commonly aff ected areas are the mane, base of the tail and the face, but in severe cases the whole body can be aff ected. Sweet itch is usually at its worst in midge season - from March to November. It aff ects about one in 20 horses in the UK and all breeds can be aff ected. Native Ponies are particularly susceptible.

TREATMENT & PREVENTION* Prevent the midges from biting.* Reduce hypersensivity reaction.* Prevent scratching.

TO PREVENT MIDGES BITING* Stable horses at dusk and dawn when midges are most active.*Choose paddocks in well drained, windy areas away from trees/bushes and water courses.* Use barriers like close-fi tting rugs.* Vaseline or barrier cream.* Fly repellents, especially those containing DEET are useful.

TO REDUCE HYPERSENSITIVITY*In-feed supplements such as ‘cavalesse’can be useful, especially if given early in the season.*Topical creams and lotions, especially those with steroid base if only a small area is aff ected.*Systemic steroids in tablet form are eff ective in dampening down immune response but do carry a small risk of laminitis.*If skin allergy test has been performed, treatment using doses of midge saliva can desensitise some horses.

TO PREVENT SCRATCHING*Turn out in pastures surrounded by electric fencing to avoid gates, trees and fences being used as rubbing posts.

Th e best control is to start treatment early each year before midges fi rst appear.

Contact us for more information and advice.

Lifelong care for animals providing clinical excellence, knowledge and experience.

NEWS May 2013

Contact us:

CALDEW

VETERINARY HOSPITAL Carlisle House, Townhead Road, Dalston, Carlisle CA5 7JF Tel: 01228 710208 vets@paragonvet.com

TOWNHEAD VETERINARY CENTRE Newbiggin, Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT Tel: 01768 483789 townhead@paragonvet.com

LONDON ROAD SURGERY 87 London Road Carlisle CA1 2LG Tel: 01228 591005

SWEET ITCHby

Neaera FletcherBSc (hons) BVMS MRCVS

24 hour

emergency service

PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP Visit us at: www.paragonvet.com and please ‘like’ our FACEBOOK page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Equine

Caring for your horse afterexercise By Lucy Shaw RVN

When your horse is exercised he should be warmed up and cooled down, just like any other athlete. Cooling down will prevent ‘tying up’ which is when muscle cramp results from a build up of lactic acid. It will also let him relax and prevent injuries such as sprained muscles. Allow at least 10-15 minutes to cool down after work. Walk your horse for the last 10-15 minutes of exercise time to cool down and give him his head to relax and stretch. You can also loosen the girth - but not too much! Cooler rugs can help wet or sweaty horses, especially on cold days as they’re designed to lift dampness away from the skin while keeping the horse warm and dry. When the horse has cooled down and the sweat is dry, groom him thoroughly. This will prevent any sores from building up, especially

over the saddle area. If you are washing your horse down in winter, dry the lower legs properly to prevent him getting mud fever. Do not ever put a horse away while he is still cold, wet or sweaty as this could lead to a chill, or even colic.

NURSE CLINIC

FIRST AID WORKSHOPWHERE: Townhead Farm, Newbiggin WHEN: Wednesday June 12th, starting at 5pm.

Our Equine Vets will give a short presentation followed by small interactive group sessions on various aspects of First Aid. If you’d like to attend, please call

017684 83789

PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP Visit us at: www.paragonvet.com and please ‘like’ our FACEBOOK page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Equine

CUSHINGS DISEASE TESTING OFFERCushings Disease and Metabolic Syndrome are the two most

common hormone or endocrine disorders in horses and ponies. Evidence now suggests 9 out of 10 equines with Laminitis

will have one of the two conditions. To diagnose Cushings, a blood sample is taken to assess ACTH levels.

During May & June ACTH test lab fees will be FOCas part of an awareness campaign by

pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. For more information and to apply for your blood test voucher

go to: www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk or call us on 017684 83789.

VACCINATION

REMINDERSWe always strive to provide

accurate vaccination reminders for our clients, but must stress it is the owner’s

responsibility to ensure their horses do not over-run their

vaccination dates.It’s also a good idea to check

your horse’s passport when the reminder arrives to ensure

the date is correct.

EQUINE A.I. PACKAGE 2013The equine breeding season is well

underway. If you would like information about the breeding

services we offer, including Artificial Insemination, or to discuss your mare,

please call Newbiggin on 017684 83789. The brochure is also available on our website - www.paragonvet.com.

ACTH TESTINGThroughout May and June, laboratory fees for ACTH

(Cushing’s Disease)tests are FREE.

For further information and to obtain your voucher

please visitwww.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk

or speak to one of the Paragon equine team.

STAFF NEWS It is with regret that after many years of service, Veterinary surgeon Sarah Lewin will be leaving the Practice on May 2nd. Both Paragon and colleagues wish Sarah the very best while thanking her for her professional contributions and support shared throughout her time with us.

Sarah personally extends her farewells and thanks to all the clients from the last 18 years and wishes them well.

Veterinary Nurse Lucy Shaw, starts maternity leave on Friday 3rd May 2013.Our very best wishes to Lucy and husband Dale who are waiting to hear the patter of tiny feet around 8th June.