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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Dermatol / Treatment of Culicoides hypersensitive horses with high-dose...
Veterinary dermatology1999; 10(2); 117-122; doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3164.1999.00147.x

Treatment of Culicoides hypersensitive horses with high-dose n-3 fatty acids: a double-blinded crossover study.

Abstract: In this double-blinded crossover study the clinical efficacy of high dose α-linolenic acid (linseed oil) for the treatment of Culicoides spp. hypersensitivity was evaluated. Seventeen privately owned horses from north Florida, USA completed the 18-week study. Criteria for inclusion included negative dermatophyte cultures, negative skin scrapes, failure to respond to ivermectin treatment, compatible clinical signs, positive skin test to Culicoides spp.antigen and a history of seasonal pruritus consistent with Culicoides spp. hypersensitivity. Horses were randomized and each horse's feed was supplemented with 200 mL of linseed oil (n-3 source) or 200 mL of corn oil (n-6 source) per day for a 6-week period. After a 6-week washout period, each horse was crossed over to the other supplement for an additional 6 weeks. Horses were evaluated every 3 weeks. The level of pruritus was determined by counting pruritic acts in a 30-min period. Total lesional surface area was determined by computerized evaluation of scanned photographs and documented physical examination findings. There was no significant change in level of pruritus observed between the groups (P = 0.89). Additionally, lesional surface area was not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.06). However, most owners stated that horses improved while supplemented with linseed oil.
Blackwell Science Ltd.
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Publication Date: 1999-06-01 PubMed ID: 34644932DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3164.1999.00147.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research tests the efficacy of high dose α-linolenic acid (linseed oil) in treating hypersensitivity to Culicoides spp. in horses, but found no significant statistical difference in itching or lesions between groups treated with linseed oil or corn oil. However, most horse owners observed improvements with linseed oil.

Objective and Study Design

  • The study aims to assess the clinical efficacy of high dose α-linolenic acid (commonly found in linseed oil) for the treatment of hypersensitivity to Culicoides spp. in horses. This is designed as a double-blind crossover study, meaning both the researchers and the participants (horse owners) did not know which treatment (linseed oil or corn oil) the horses were receiving at any given time.
  • Participants for the study consisted of 17 privately owned horses from north Florida, USA, that met specific criteria including displaying signs of seasonal itching consistent with Culicoides spp. hypersensitivity and responding positively to a Culicoides spp. antigen skin test.

Treatment Procedure

  • Each horse was randomly assigned to receive either a daily supplement of 200ml of linseed oil (which is a source of n-3 fatty acids) or 200ml of corn oil (a source of n-6 fatty acids) for a duration of 6 weeks.
  • Following this treatment period, a 6-week washout period was implemented where no treatments were administered to clear any residual effects of the supplements from the horses’ bodies.
  • Subsequently, each horse was switched, or “crossed over”, to the other supplement for an additional 6 weeks. This crossover design allowed for every horse to serve as its own control, as each horse was exposed to both treatments.

Measurement and Findings

  • The horses were examined every three weeks. The intensity of itching was determined by counting the number of itching actions within a 30-minute period. Additionally, the total area affected by lesions was measured using a computerized evaluation of scanned photographs and recorded physical examination findings.
  • The results showed no significant difference in itching levels between the group treated with linseed oil and the one treated with corn oil (P= 0.89). Similarly, the area of lesions was also not significantly different between the two groups (P= 0.06).
  • However, despite the lack of significant statistical difference, most owners reported that their horses showed improvement while being supplemented with linseed oil, suggesting a potential perception bias, placebo effect, or effects insufficiently captured by the researchers’ measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Friberg , Logas . (1999). Treatment of Culicoides hypersensitive horses with high-dose n-3 fatty acids: a double-blinded crossover study. Vet Dermatol, 10(2), 117-122. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3164.1999.00147.x

Publication

Veterinary dermatology
ISSN: 1365-3164
NlmUniqueID: 9426187
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Pages: 117-122

Researcher Affiliations

Friberg,
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0126, USA.
Logas,
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0126, USA.

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This article includes 27 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Graner A, Mueller RS, Geisler J, Bogenstätter D, White SJ, Jonsdottir S, Marti E. Allergen immunotherapy using recombinant Culicoides allergens improves clinical signs of equine insect bite hypersensitivity. Front Allergy 2024;5:1467245.
    doi: 10.3389/falgy.2024.1467245pubmed: 39403119google scholar: lookup
  2. Herrmann I, Sanchez AJ. Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Allergen-Specific Immuno-Therapy in Horses with Allergic Cutaneous and Respiratory Diseases-A Systematic Review. Vet Sci 2023 Oct 10;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci10100613pubmed: 37888565google scholar: lookup
  3. Lomas HR, Robinson PA. A Pilot Qualitative Investigation of Stakeholders' Experiences and Opinions of Equine Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in England. Vet Sci 2018 Jan 9;5(1).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci5010003pubmed: 29315275google scholar: lookup
  4. O'Neill W, McKee S, Clarke AF. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation associated with reduced skin test lesional area in horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity. Can J Vet Res 2002 Oct;66(4):272-7.
    pubmed: 12418783
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