| dc.description.abstract | Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonal dermatitis of horses. IBH is an allergic reaction caused by bites of Culicoide spp and Similium spp. The disease causes extreme pruritus. It is difficult to get a clear picture of the disease, since multiple factors are involved. As yet, there is no proper therapy against IBH.
The aim of the present study is to get notion of the different kinds of measures taken by owners of affected horses and which ones are likely to be effective.
An Internet-based inquiry amongst horse owners was carried out to identify factors affecting the incidence of IBH among horses in the Netherlands. The questionnaire included questions relating to the habitat, stabling, nutrition, management/care, health, and use of the horses and a couple of specific questions about the symptoms of IBH and the preventive and therapeutical measures.
This study shows that there is not a single, generally effective therapy. Many owners are desperate and try virtually anything they can think of as possibly helpful. Those measures vary from liniments, dietary supplements or changing the complete diet, to moving the affected horse to a different area or putting particular plants nearby.
Because of the subjectivity of the answers, no hard conclusions can be drawn, but it seems that the use of a fully covering anti-insect blanket, changing the diet, changing the stable/pasture management, applying corticosteroids and the use of a topical therapy are the most effective of all mentioned therapies.
Independent scientific research is required to prove whether or not these measures are really effective. | |
