The effect of a supplement containing sunflower oil, vitamins, amino acids, and peptides on the severity of symptoms in horses suffering insect bite hypersensitivity.
Abstract: Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is most often caused by Culicoides spp., although other insect species are also thought to play a role in causing this disease. The disease has been reported to occur in most countries, with a prevalence of up to 28% in some countries in some breeds. The only truly effective therapy currently available is to prevent horses from coming into contact with Culicoides midges, which can be achieved by stabling horses during certain times of the day or by covering them with insect blankets. The effect of a new dietary supplement containing vitamins, polypeptides, and amino acids on IBH severity was tested at the start of the Culicoides season (April 2009). Fifty horses participated in this placebo-controlled, double-blinded study: 25 horses received the supplement and 25 received placebo for 30 days; thereafter all horses received the supplement for a further 30 days. The investigators scored the severity of IBH in all horses, based on clinical evaluation and digital photographs taken before and after the first 30 days of the trial. The owners were asked to assess the severity of the signs prior to the investigation and after the first and second 30-day periods. For each period, IBH clinical symptoms were classified as increased, decreased, or the same. Results showed that investigator-assessed symptoms became worse in more horses receiving placebo than in horses receiving supplement, indicating a positive effect of the supplement. However, there were no treatment-group differences when symptom severity was scored by the horse owners. No side-effects were observed.
Publication Date: 2010-07-24 PubMed ID: 20649138
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article evaluates the effect of a new dietary supplement on horses suffering from insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), a disease often caused by Culicoides spp. or other insects. The study found the supplement to have a positive impact based on investigator assessments, though horse owners saw no difference in symptom severity.
Background
- Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH) is a common disease in horses caused mainly by Culicoides spp. and other insects.
- The disease is prevalent across the world with up to 28% prevalence in specific breeds in some countries.
- The only effective treatment known currently is preventing contact between horses and Culicoides midges by stabling horses during particular times of the day or covering them with insect blankets.
Purpose of the Study
- The research aims to experiment and observe the effects of a new dietary supplement containing sunflower oil, vitamins, peptides, and amino acids on the severity of IBH symptoms.
Methodology
- The study was conducted at the beginning of the Culicoides season in April 2009, employing a double-blind, placebo-controlled approach.
- 50 horses participated in the study, split evenly into two groups: one group was given the supplement and the other a placebo for 30 days. For another 30 days, all horses were given the supplement.
- Investigators scored the severity of IBH symptoms in horses based on clinical observation and digital photographs taken before and after the first 30-day period.
- Horse owners also rated the severity of symptoms before the investigation and after each 30-day period. For each period, changes in IBH clinical symptoms were classified as either increased, decreased, or unchanged.
Results
- Based on the assessments by investigators, more horses in the placebo group exhibited worsening symptoms than those in the supplement group, suggesting a positive effect of the supplement.
- However, according to the assessments made by horse owners, there wasn’t a noticeable difference between the two groups in terms of symptom severity.
- The study documented no side effects from the supplement.
Cite This Article
APA
van den Boom R, Driessen F, Streumer SJ, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.
(2010).
The effect of a supplement containing sunflower oil, vitamins, amino acids, and peptides on the severity of symptoms in horses suffering insect bite hypersensitivity.
Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 135(13), 520-525.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Amino Acids / therapeutic use
- Animals
- Ceratopogonidae
- Dietary Supplements
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Hypersensitivity / drug therapy
- Hypersensitivity / pathology
- Hypersensitivity / veterinary
- Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
- Insect Bites and Stings / veterinary
- Insect Control
- Male
- Peptides / therapeutic use
- Plant Oils / therapeutic use
- Seasons
- Severity of Illness Index
- Sunflower Oil
- Treatment Outcome
- Vitamins / therapeutic use
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