I’m in Oregon. I did remove the crusty scabs and last night the area looked clean with no new bug bites. I have a cream called Belly Butter and have used it along with SWAT.
@Laurierace, I haven’t taken his temp. Thanks for the suggestion.
SWAT is not a wound ointment. It’s a fly repellant. It is not intended to be applied to open or compromised skin, it won’t prevent the bites from infection, or other reactions. In fact, it may worsen his condition, as it’s a pesticide. This is a common misconception, I just had the same conversation with my Mom whose been around horses for over 50 years.
Wash the area thoroughly with a soap like Ivory, or unscented castille soap. Rinse super well, and then apply Corona ointment or something similar to avoid drying the skin out. The actual bites, you can apply Corona, it won’t hurt, wont sting etc, and then paint a circle of SWAT around it. You could also opt to use topical diphenhydramine on the bites, and an oral NSAID to help with inflammation.
My last EPM horse, a mare, had horrible edema in her teats and stomach as well. She was soy sensitive. Once off all soy, she was perfectly fine. Some food for thought.
Thanks, I was careful with it. The swelling is going down and the bites have healed, so we are heading in the right direction.
Have to check my feed for soy. I had not read anything about soy products and EPM. Another thing to research.
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My gelding had same thing a couple weeks ago. I saw him pee, so I just gave him a previcox/equioxx and he was fine the next day.
It must be that time of year! Glad your guy is better.
The vet got back to me today and confirmed bug bites. There are lots of horses having issues right now. While we don’t have a fly problem at my place, obviously whatever is here likes his underbits.
