Treating Equine IBH Without Antihistamines

Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH, also known as sweet itch) occurs when a horse has an allergic reaction to insect bites. The condition can cause extreme itching and be tough to treat—it often doesn’t respond to antihistamines, which are a common approach for managing other equine allergies. In this excerpt from Ask TheHorse Live, Jonathan Yardley, DVM, of The Ohio State University and Susan White, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, of the University of Georgia describe other options for treating horses with difficult cases of IBH.
This podcast is an excerpt of our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, “Managing Horses With Allergies.” Listen to the full recording here.
About the Experts

Jonathan Yardley, DVM
Jonathan Yardley, DVM, is a graduate of Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine. He began his career with a private practice internship, before joining a prominent racetrack practice, Teigland, Franklin and Brokken, where he specialized in caring for an elite clientele of Thoroughbred racehorses. In 2014 Yardley shifted from private practice to academia as an ambulatory, clinical-track veterinarian in the Equine Field Service department at The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he currently serves as an associate professor. As the equine rotating internship director, Yardley is committed to fostering an enriching learning environment that empowers interns to develop their clinical and critical thinking skills throughout their yearlong internships. Dedicated to veterinary wellness, Yardley serves as co-chair of the College of Veterinary Medicine Health & Wellbeing Committee, championing evidence-based strategies for health care improvement. He hosts the podcast “Horse Talk with Doc,” where he shares valuable insights into equine health and well-being. Outside of his professional pursuits, Yardley is an avid curler who enjoys traveling with his wife. They share their home with three beloved four-legged Doodles.

Susan L. White, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM
Susan L. White, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, is the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor, Emeritus of Large Animal Medicine at University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. White has a long-standing interest in equine dermatology, lectures on the topic extensively nationally and internationally, and maintains an equine dermatology consulting service.

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