Queensland itch in horses - new treatment options

What is Queensland Itch?

Queensland Itch, also known as Sweet Itch, Summer Eczema or “The Itch”, is a skin condition that is caused by a hypersensitivity, or allergic reaction, to Culicoides midges (small biting flying insects).

The condition occurs more severely in the warmer months of the year and in humid, coastal environments, such as the mid north coast of NSW. The horse’s immune system overreacts to the proteins in midge’s saliva. This results in skin inflammation, causing scratching and rubbing, leading to hairless areas and sores on the horse’s body (generally face, mane and tail).

Management options:

Queensland Itch is often worse when horses are kept in coastal areas, near dams, lakes and
water reserves. Some things you can do at home:
- Move horses away from dams, rivers and creeks to open paddocks.
- Prevent midge bites with cotton rugs and hoods. Some midges can bite through mesh
rugs, therefore cotton is preferable, pre-treated with insecticides eg Wildhorse rugs.
- Stable horses with fans before late afternoon and early morning
- Insecticide sprays or long acting treatments eg. once a week application of Dermcare
Equipel leave-on insecticide conditioner.

How we can help:

We are able to assist itchy horses though a variety of medications available at the clinic
such as:
- Topical medications: Equicort is a new leave-on conditioner that has a topical
anti-inflammatory steroid and a long acting insecticide.
- Anti-inflammatory oral or injectable medications to assist with severe symptoms.

Mobile Veterinary Service:

Please contact Wingham and Valley Vets to discuss the best management for your itchy horse. We perform regular run days to surrounding areas to reduce travel costs for you, should we need to examine your horse. These include Taree, Old Bar, Tinonee, Krambach, Dyers Crossing, Nabiac, Forster and the Great Lakes region, Diamond Beach, Tuncurry, Harrington, Coopernook, Hannam Vale, Lansdowne and Upper Lansdowne, Comboyne and Lorne and as far as Wauchope and Port Macquarie