CASE STUDIES
Ok…I’ve taken all the individual Case Study e-mails that posters to this thread sent me over time. This is a good way to see a variety of horses of all breed types/ages/health. These were only edited for proper format/syntax. NO RESULTS WERE CHANGED/ALTERED IN ANY WAY.
CASE ONE:
AGE OF HORSE: 26
BREED OF HORSE: TB
SEX OF HORSE: G
–Pre-Administration symptoms that lead to suspicion of NTW infestation, with length of time if you can. Try your best to keep it the report clean and “clinical.” Very nervous acting all the time. Very itchy. Would scratch on trees, barn, humans mostly over hips/back and belly. Would not eat due to “nerves”. Thought it was ulcers. Dropped weight when off food - fast.
DATE OF 1st DD Administration – present post symptoms, clearing, new symptoms, etc. August 22. Less itchy; more interested in food. At 7 days, beating down the doors to get out and scratch. Less interested in eating.
DATE OF 2nd DD Administration – present post symptoms, clearing, new symptoms, etc. Sept 1. 10 days post first DD. Hair coat much smoother and glossier. Hardly scratching at all.
If you’ve done post 2nd DD de-worming (like weekly Ivermectin or 3rd DD), list dates, info. Sept 15. DD Em. Horse LOVES to eat now. No scratching. No neverous behavior. Maintaining decent weight. Sept 22. Single dose Ivermentrin. Just to make sure!
Offer final conclusion and how you plan to change your de-worming program going forward. Double dosing is now a staple in my barn!!! Anytime he is itchy - gonna hit him so it doesn’t get out of control and contribute to the ulcer/eating disorder he had. I was at my wits end with this horse and thought the only relief he could have is if we put him down.
CASE TWO
AGE OF HORSE: 21
BREED OF HORSE: QH
SEX OF HORSE: Gelding (Bubba)
Pre-admin Symptoms: No significant symptoms. Horse is out 24/7, wears fly sheet and mask with ears. Horse is a cribber. Started at age 14.
First treatment: 23 August 2008 1 Ivermectin + 1 Equimax No significant change other than decrease that day in cribbing.
Second treatment: 6 Sept 2008. DD Equimax.
No significant change other than BIG decrease that day in cribbing.
about 2 weeks after DD Equimax, small serum pimples (10 - 15) appeared on his body.
No further treatment as of 30 Sept 08.
CASE THREE
AGE OF HORSE: 6
BREED OF HORSE: MFT
SEX OF HORSE: Gelding (Bentley)
Pre-admin Symptoms: Horse had what I thought were scars on his chest - but they seemed to come and go. About 4 inches long. Had some lumps on chest and between front legs. Rubbing /scratching tail despite 6 week de-worming protocol.
First treatment: 23 August 2008 1 Ivermectin + 1 Equimax Small lumps on chest gone. Tail not being rubbed.
Second treatment: 6 Sept 2008. DD Equimax.
Between the first and second dose, the “scars” reappeared. I now realize these are sub-derma parasites and most likely NTWs or migrating onchocerca? No crusties on midline. A few bumps and itchiness which seemed to resolve in a few days. Tail not as scruffy. (decrease in tail itchiness) Third Treatment: 13 Sept 2008. full dose Ivermectin. No significant changes in lumps, bumps, or anything else.
No further treatment as of 30 Sept 08.
CASE FOUR
AGE OF HORSE: 10
BREED OF HORSE: Mountain Pleasure
SEX OF HORSE: Gelding (Amber Bock)
Pre-admin Symptoms: Horse was “rescue” from truck to Shipshewanna (auction). I got horse December 2007. Questionable de-worming history. Horse has goopy eyes, poor hair coat, rats nest in tail. Crusties on midline. Lumps at umbilical area and just in front of sheath. Very head shy and does not like to be touched.
First treatment: 23 August 2008 1 Ivermectin + 1 Equimax Have noticed that tail isn’t being rubbed. Crusties … still there … but might be a little smaller.
Second treatment: 6 Sept 2008. DD Equimax.
Some small oval areas have appeared on his sides and hip. One nearly quarter-sized, the other dime-sized. dry scabby sort of spots. His midline is getting softer but still has crusties. He LOVES it when I brush or scratch him there. Eye discharge a little less. He wears a fly mask almost everyday. Top of tail still a little ratty. The lumps in his umbilical area appear to be getting smaller.
Third Treatment: 13 Sept 2008. full dose Ivermectin. No significant changes. During the past few weeks of de-worming, he had 1 VERY good day about being touched, but is again very sensitive.
No further treatment as of 30 Sept 08.
CASE FIVE
AGE OF HORSE: 5
BREED OF HORSE: Percheron/QH
SEX OF HROSE: Gelding
August 16, DD of Ivermectin
First DD of Ivermectin 8/16:
Last fall he developed a sore on his ankle (he is allergic to grass and gets small sores which heal after a few days). It would not heal and kept getting bigger. Almost healed over winter then came back with a vengence once it got hot again. Sore was almost 3 inches across and looked like he had a tennis ball under the skin from the swelling. My vet thought it was a habronema, but a biopsy last fall didn’t indicate such. A biopsy done in June was sent to the lab that we use at the vet dermatology center where I work and that indicated habronema. It was amazing how quickly it responded to DMSO/ivermectin/furaointment. Was also dosing with ivermectin weekly. It healed nearly 90% and then stopped. Now, within the last week, it is getting worse again…the sore is now moist and enlarging and the swelling is back.
He also has the sweet itch tail and the lumps on the midline. So maybe I need to double dose the Equimax.
After first DD, tail, mid line and chest healed. No change on Habronema or face.
2nd DD, Equimax 8/30 – We are in the middle of TS Fay, lots of flooding, bugs are horrible. Habronema swollen and moist again. Chest and midline now broken out after 2nd DD, no real changes.
3rd DD, Equimax, 9/13 – Hmmm…some things happening today…not sure if a reaction to the DD or just more reaction to all the STUFF…but, his chest between his legs and the bumps right in front of his sheath look as if they are reacting to something…ANNNNNND, there seems to be something going on with the habronema!!! Am going to allow myself to be cautiously optomistic!
4th, single dose of Ivermectin – We are now dry, weather is cooling down. Bugs not as bad. Habronema starting to shrink and dry. About the size of a quarter and there is a dime size “spot” at the edge…some kind of eruption? Eruptions again on chest, midline. No changes to face, sheath.
CASE SIX
AGE OF HORSE: 18 1/2
BREED OF HORSE: TB
SEC OF HORSE: M
August 16, first DD of Ivermectin
Only symptom is an itchy tail, loss of tail hair. After DD, itching stopped, hair regrew.
2nd DD, Equimax, 8/30:
No changes. Still no itching.
CASE SEVEN
BREED OF HORSE: TB
AGE OF HORSE: 2
SEX OF HORSE: S
Pre-Administration Symptoms: “hay belly” which had not resolved with typical de-worming program. Has been on a monthly worming schedule his first year of birth then went to the traditional 6 week rotational worming schedule. Difficulty with gaining weight. He had no skin symptoms or coat problems.
1st DD – 9/26 with Equimax – 2-3 day later colt had multiple quarter size round welts that appeared, oozed, and bled. (looked like ringworm). Appeared on hind legs mostly (inner and outer), some on front legs, several on flank. Small bumps/welts running near mane on both sides of neck.
As off 10/2 welts healing over (no additional treatment was performed). Belly appears to be receding and coat appears “brighter”. Subjectively looks to have gained some weight with no change in feed.
Will be doing the second DD with Equimax
CASE EIGHT
AGE OF HORSE: 2
BREE OF HORSE: Registered KWPN
SEX OF HORSE : S
Pre-Administration Symptoms: none, only dosed because he was the pasture mate of above colt
1st DD: 9/28 with Equimax, no presenting symptoms
Still planning to do the 2nd DD with Equimax
CASE NINE
AGE OF HORSE: 10
BREE OF HORSE: Registered New Forest Pony
SEX OF HORSE: M
Pre-Administration Symptoms: “rain rot” symptoms on neck, belly, and chest. We have been blaming it on “bug allergies” – mare has been on Bug Check and flax seed to help (not really helping). This is a leased mare so I don’t know prior worming schedule.
9/10 – DD with Ivermectrin – no real change seen – may have had a slight worsening of the skin condition but we have also been very wet
9/28 – DD with Equimax – small welts seen on the neck and belly yesterday (10/1)
Planning on doing the 2nd DD with Equimax
CASE TEN
AGE OF HORSE: 4
BREED OF HORSE: Registered Selle Francais
SEX OF HORSE: M
Pre-Administration Symptoms: since a yearling has always been prone to skin problems looking like rain rot on chest and near mane. Rubs out tail hair. Also has had issues with colic when weather changes. Has always been on a standard if not pretty aggressive worming schedule her entire life
9/16 – DD with Ivermectrin – not much change, maybe a slight worsening of the skin condition but we have also been wet
10/1 – DD with Equimax – too early to not symptoms
Still planning on doing the 2nd DD of Equimax
CASE ELEVEN
AGE OF HORSE: 5
BREED OF HORSE: Registered Oldenburg
SEX OF HORSE: M
Pre-Administration Symptoms: Very itchy butt has almost bent one of my gates in half. Taking down rails (she is about 17.1 or 17.2 hh) with her itching. No skin issues. Has always (entire life) been on routine rotational worming schedule. No skin issues – does tend to get “rain rot” on lower legs during wet season but none this year so far.
9/16 DD with Ivermectrin – no additional increase itching but itching does seem to have decreased at this date
Going to be DD with Equimax tomorrow as supply order arrived this evening from KVet
Planning on doing the second DD with Equimax
CASE TWELVE
AGE OF HORSE - 8 years
BREED OF HORSE - Arabian
SEX OF HORSE - gelding
Pre-Administration Symptoms – Tremendous problems with sores on the belly - open and oozing wounds. Three years. This last year only we had lots of sores on the withers and neck areas. Also along the spine and in the face/eyes. Constant itching.
DATE OF 1st DD – Sept. 1, 2008 Used 1.5 dose of Ivermectin. After two weeks, sores on the neck and withers became less. Horse attitude much improved. Belly sores slightly reduced.
DATE OF 2nd DD Administration Used 1.5 dose Equimax Sept. 14, 2008. After three more weeks, neck and withers clear. Belly much improved - only one sore left.
Eye areas clearing up. Moderate dandruff. Weight improved, cresty neck reduced.
CASE THIRTEEN
AGE OF HORSES: 10 & 7
BREED OF HORSE: WB & TB
SEX OF HORSE: G & M
Pre-administration symptoms – Just an inkling suspicious. Nothing really in the WB gelding that was ongoing, just a very icky Spring reaction to what I’ve always presumed to be gnats and other bugs around his belly button. Bleeding, raw, scabby sore. Only in the Spring, never bothered any other time of year. The TB mare again was never very “eww, what’s going on”, but she’s a regular light tail rubber. Not enough even to thin the top of her tail.
DATE OF 1st DD Administration – 8/25
DATE OF 2nd DD Administration – 9/8
CASE FOURTEEN –
NOTE…this case is for repeated single doses of ivermectin. Participant did not follow DD Equimax Protocol
AGE OF HORSE : 14
BREED OF HORSE : KWPN = dutch warmblood
SEX OF HORSE : gelding
Pre-administration symptoms – A few tiny lumps in girth region that did not go away with anti-fungul shampoo received by vet
DATE OF 1st DD Administration – DD Equimax Sept 20th : 9hrs after administration horse assumingly coliced, veins up, some minor hives in neck region, increased heart-rate and breathing extremely uncomfortable, but does present with normal bowel movements and manure, albeit some of the initial passings of manure were rather dry. Vet tubed and horse had one day of diarrhea, no other symptoms noted that week.
DATE OF 2nd SINGLE Administration – Ivermectin SINGLE Sept 27th : within days horse shows corrugated skin over neck region, perhaps some itchiness over the top of mane but not substantial, else no symptoms
DATE OF 3rd SINGLE Administration – Ivermectin SINGLE Oct 4th : one day later horse had eggsized lump on flank, which is not itchy.
Two days later horse has a pencil shaped lump high up in the neckregion, which ‘does’ seem to be itch!
PLANNED DATE OF 4th SINGLE Administration
Ivermectin SINGLE Oct 11th :
CASE FIFTEEN
AGE OF HORSE: 8
BREED OF HORSE: FRIESIAN
SEX OF HORSE: M
Pre-administration symptoms – She battled scratches in her feathers of all 4 legs for at least 3 years that I’m aware off. It’s always been worse for her on her hind legs. I have owned her for about 1 ½ and have used all of kinds of topical concoctions whether purchased specifically for this or ones made by mixing a variety of over the counter items on them to the point of this spring just getting frustrated and shaving her feathers off. This helped in some ways but certainly didn’t resolve the situation to the point of healing/resolving. The vet had inspected the areas of concern and had stated that I was doing fine with what I was using but it never cleared up totally. The vet also saw it about 3-4 weeks after she was shaved. It was never determined what was truly going on whether it was fungal, bacterial or even mites. It was never suggested to do a scraping because it looked like it was clearing up as far as the vet was concerned. It never fully healed it would eventually get bumpy feeling, itchy, scabby and oozing. She will scratch the areas that bothered her with her teeth. It is a constant frustrating battle everyday to treat.
Last spring and this spring she experiences some strange peeling of hair and grayish dander on her legs and chest. She also had some odd peeling of skin that looked like crepe paper but had the constituency of fabric on the back of her pasterns after her feathers where shaved. I don’t have an exact date to correlate this with any de-worming that had taken place.
DATE OF 1st DD of Equimax on 8/28 – This past August she had an outbreak of what looked like bug bites on her chest, down her front legs and strange peeling crepe paper stuff on her chest as previously described on her legs. They were very itchy raised welts with scabs. She had some similarities to the horse in the beginning part of this thread that had pictures from another website but not as bad. Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures. She experienced a nodule on her right shoulder area the size of a quarter that opened up like a pimple and scabbed over. I felt some strange bumps in the pastern area on the hind legs after this dosage that seemed to do the same as the bump on her shoulder. These areas have since cleared up in the hind and the other areas on her hind legs are healing as well. The scratches on the front legs are healing to the point where they are barely noticeable.
DATE OF 2nd DD of Equimax 9/11 – It seems that every time after I double dose I have seen the most improvement with healing in the areas of her scratches with 4-10 days after treatment. No other bumps notice on her body
Date of 3rd DD of Ivermectin 9/25 – The area’s deemed scratches on her hind legs continue to heal and hair is growing where it had been irritated, inflamed and scabbed over. Her front legs are clear of any scratches and no other bumps have been noticed.
CASE SIXTEEN
AGE OF HORSE: 3
BREED OF HORSE: FRIESIAN CROSS
SEX OF HORSE: G
Pre-administration symptoms – He has always been extremely itching, oozing goopy eyes (late summer early fall and late winter into the spring), and has funny small bumps on his chest and neck area intermittingly through out. He has always been very itching on the areas of the bumps. He has had issues with thrush in his frogs that is not seen but is noted when he is trimmed. The farrier has said he has thrush pockets. He is barefoot. I am greeny horse owner so bear with description of this please. His frog has always been tight in the area to clean out with a hoof pick and it grows over so you are digging around to clean the area out. The frog grows very tight to the underside of his hoof and over the v area. As a side not we have changed farriers right before the 1st DD so some of the changes could be related to how he is trimmed. New farrier did not that he would change a few things in terms of angles and breakover.
DATE OF 1st DD of Equimax on 8/28 – A few of the bumps opened up and where oozing after the first DD. He became itching but not to the extent everyone else has commented on.
DATE OF 2nd DD of Equimax 9/11 – He didn’t seem to have any more bumps or lumps. Hoof/frog area seems to be opening up some
Date of 3rd DD of Ivermectin 9/25 – A day or two in he progressively got itchier and itchier to the point of itching on everything he could touch or rub up against. On day 5 he experienced hives on his left side only from his face down towards his chest and towards his ribs. Not sure if it’s related to the worming or the change from TC 30 to Poulin MVP. I did switch back to TC 30 for the process of elimination. The hives lessened by the next morning and were gone for the most part by the next evening. He also had a handful of bumps on the underside of his chest that have opened up and are scabby oozy. The frog is growing over up opening of the v area but is much more pliable to allow you better ease on getting the hoof pick in and cleaning the v area out.
Final conclusion – I feel this has been very helpful and not for the same reasons as noted by previous people. The gelding makes me the the NTW is certainly a possibility especially his reaction. This makes me lean towards the possibility of either double dosing Ivermectin or possible anthelcide at 1 and ½ the dose or even Ivermectin once a week for a few weeks. Just not sure what to do but feel like I have had much success in terms of dealing with the mares scratches that I would have never expectd. She has never been this clear of scratches since I have known her (3 years). I’m curious and wondering if anyone else had and interesting frog changes too.
CASE SEVENTEEN
AGE OF HORSE: 5 1/2 (Feb. 03)
BREED OF HORSE: Andalusian/Appaloosa
SEX OF HORSE Gelding
Pre-administration symptoms – Gringo exhibited no real symptoms to indicate NTW. I did notice an itchy tail (possibly due to the dirty sheath - sheath cleaned shortly thereafter, in August I think) and a flaky forelock/mane. Had some bug bites (noseeums) on his chest, armpit area and midline, though a good round of vaseline a couple days in a row typically took care of it.
DATE OF 1st DD Administration – First DD of IVERMECTIN was 9/24/08. No new symptoms. Most of the “symptoms” listed were not present or were clearing up prior to first administration of Ivermectin.
DATE OF 2nd DD Administration – Second dosage was 10/11/08, again just generic Ivermectin was used. No symptoms. No outbreaks. Everything went smoothly.
CASE EIGHTEEN
NOTE…this case is for repeated single doses of ivermectin. Participant did not follow DD Equimax Protocol
AGE OF HORSE: 12
BREED OF HORSE: MORGAN
SEX OF HORSE: M
Pre-administration symptoms – Recurrent “Sweet Itch” this summer (diagnosed by vet as allergy to Culicodes), leading to itchy skin (rubbed off a lot of hair on neck/chest and some on face), flaky skin, and linear urticaria. Tail rubbing. A very few “knots” of the variety (a bit smaller than an eraser) that make one think “worms.”
Date of first DD: October 2, 2008
No major clearing noticed due to DD, as most recent “sweet itch” was already clearing up. Tail itching stopped. Mare gained weight.
Date of second DD: November 1, 2008
One week later, noticed flaky skin on neck in location of previous sweet itch. “Worm knots” no longer present.
CASE NINETEEN
AGE OF HORSE: 4
BREED OF HORSE: MORGAN
SEX OF HORSE: g
Pre-administration symptoms – No symptoms other than a few “wormy knots” and some tail rubbing as worming was due.
Date of first DD: October 2, 2008 – “Wormy knots” disappeared and tail rubbing stopped. Some weight gain.
Date of second DD: November 1, 2008 – One week later, no further improvement or symptoms to report
No further DD or weekly ivermectin followed the original DD protocol.
Could you send me the case report in this format: