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Insect Hypersensitivity - Donkey (view source)
Revision as of 23:47, 16 February 2010
, 23:47, 16 February 2010New page: {{review}} ==Insect hypersensitivity== [[Image:Allergic dermatitis donkey.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>The legs of a donkey showing a severe pruritic allergic dermatitis due to th...
{{review}}
==Insect hypersensitivity==
[[Image:Allergic dermatitis donkey.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>The legs of a donkey showing a severe pruritic allergic dermatitis due to the presence of [[Mange - Donkey|chorioptes mites]]. Selftrauma leads to progressive irritation and more self-trauma.(Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
[[Image:Protecting legs donkey.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>An interesting and effective method of protecting the legs from fly and parasite attack!(Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
Insect hypersensitivity occurs in donkeys, but is not often the typical
[[Sweet Itch - Donkey|‘sweet itch’ syndrome]] seen in horses. In D. Knottenbelt’s experience, many
of the cases suffer from sensitivity to biting flies other than [[Sweet Itch - Donkey|''Culicoides spp.'']]
Nevertheless, many do show a typical distribution and seasonal onset
that is indistinguishable from equine ‘sweet itch’.
==Clinical signs==
Typically the affected donkey shows an '''intense pruritus''' that becomes worse when exposed to the
causative insects and shows a progressive severity with succeeding years.
'''Self-trauma''' causes extensive hair loss, '''dermatitis''' and variable [[Skin Glossary - Pathology|lichenification]]
and thickening of the skin on the neck and withers regions in particular.
The rump and tail head are also affected in many cases.
With increasingly traumatised skin, secondary infection, further fly
irritation and exposure to ultraviolet light, the condition can rapidly
become very serious in individual animals.
==Treatment==
Whilst treatment is required in any case that shows signs, it is far better to '''prevent exposure to the
allergen'''. This may be easier said than done! Most insects do not ‘like’
windy, cold or rainy conditions and so providing these climatic conditions
can be a useful way of helping. However, the downside of this is that these
conditions are not ideal for donkeys in other respects. Housing during maximal risk periods (e.g. overnight) and
‘turn-out’ at minimal risk periods (e.g.
in the heat of the day) can help.
'''Insect repellents''' and other
synthetic pyrethroids as well as
various natural and other insect
repellents also help, but in severe
cases the only effective way is
to separate the donkey from the
allergen. '''All-in-one suits''' may be
practical, but in most cases are
not! Severely excoriated skin can
be treated with antibiotic/steroid
creams. Parenteral medication with
[[Steroids|corticosteroids]] such as prednisolone
may be the only way of reducing the
severity of the inflammation. In D. Knottenbelt’s experience the use of depot
steroids such as methylprednisolone
actetate is not very useful.
==References==
* Knottenbelt, D. (2008) Skin disorders In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey'', 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 8
{{toplink
|backcolour = D1EEEE
|linkpage =Allergic Skin Disorders - Donkey
|linktext =Allergic Skin Disorders - Donkey
|rspace={{Donkey}}
|pagetype=Donkey
}}
==Insect hypersensitivity==
[[Image:Allergic dermatitis donkey.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>The legs of a donkey showing a severe pruritic allergic dermatitis due to the presence of [[Mange - Donkey|chorioptes mites]]. Selftrauma leads to progressive irritation and more self-trauma.(Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
[[Image:Protecting legs donkey.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>An interesting and effective method of protecting the legs from fly and parasite attack!(Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
Insect hypersensitivity occurs in donkeys, but is not often the typical
[[Sweet Itch - Donkey|‘sweet itch’ syndrome]] seen in horses. In D. Knottenbelt’s experience, many
of the cases suffer from sensitivity to biting flies other than [[Sweet Itch - Donkey|''Culicoides spp.'']]
Nevertheless, many do show a typical distribution and seasonal onset
that is indistinguishable from equine ‘sweet itch’.
==Clinical signs==
Typically the affected donkey shows an '''intense pruritus''' that becomes worse when exposed to the
causative insects and shows a progressive severity with succeeding years.
'''Self-trauma''' causes extensive hair loss, '''dermatitis''' and variable [[Skin Glossary - Pathology|lichenification]]
and thickening of the skin on the neck and withers regions in particular.
The rump and tail head are also affected in many cases.
With increasingly traumatised skin, secondary infection, further fly
irritation and exposure to ultraviolet light, the condition can rapidly
become very serious in individual animals.
==Treatment==
Whilst treatment is required in any case that shows signs, it is far better to '''prevent exposure to the
allergen'''. This may be easier said than done! Most insects do not ‘like’
windy, cold or rainy conditions and so providing these climatic conditions
can be a useful way of helping. However, the downside of this is that these
conditions are not ideal for donkeys in other respects. Housing during maximal risk periods (e.g. overnight) and
‘turn-out’ at minimal risk periods (e.g.
in the heat of the day) can help.
'''Insect repellents''' and other
synthetic pyrethroids as well as
various natural and other insect
repellents also help, but in severe
cases the only effective way is
to separate the donkey from the
allergen. '''All-in-one suits''' may be
practical, but in most cases are
not! Severely excoriated skin can
be treated with antibiotic/steroid
creams. Parenteral medication with
[[Steroids|corticosteroids]] such as prednisolone
may be the only way of reducing the
severity of the inflammation. In D. Knottenbelt’s experience the use of depot
steroids such as methylprednisolone
actetate is not very useful.
==References==
* Knottenbelt, D. (2008) Skin disorders In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey'', 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 8
{{toplink
|backcolour = D1EEEE
|linkpage =Allergic Skin Disorders - Donkey
|linktext =Allergic Skin Disorders - Donkey
|rspace={{Donkey}}
|pagetype=Donkey
}}