Fly Bites | Alternative Therapy and Herbal Treatments for Dogs, Cats & Horses | Robert McDowells Alternative Medicine
Fly Bites
If you horse is prone to fly bites or other insect irritation your
first step is to cover your horse in a light cotton or shade cloth type
horse rug & neck rug during biting season, fly boots that cover the
legs are also an option.
To discourage flies from breeding make sure yards are clean of manure
& cover compost heaps, you can even grow plants that are insect
repellents around your yards like Tansy, citronella scented Geraniums,
Lavender, Rue, Elder and Wormwood.
If there are hairless patches it is often difficult to encourage
regrowth of hair as the parasites actually damage the hair follicles
but when the inflammmation has ceased Comfrey ointment from health food
stores or rosemary oil rubbed in once or twice a day can expediate hair
growth.
I would also recommend supplementing the diet with Chamomile Flowers.
Chamomile has many properties and helps various conditions ranging from
skin and nervous system problems to acting as an antispasmodic and a
digestive aid.
http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_chamomile_flowers.html
Dose rate is 4 dessertspoons made into a tea with 1 litre of boiling
water and given with feed.This can also be used to dab on the skin to
soothe irritated areas.
To treat any secondary infections caused by the bites you can dose with Colloidal silver internally see link for information;
http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_colloidal_silver_antibiotic.html
This treatment is also valuable to dab on externally any infected lesions.
As you head towards the insect season have a try of my antiparasitic spray applied topically
To repel the insects.
http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_anti_parasite.html Also add 1 cup each of crushed White millet & linseed to the diet half am & pm.
Mix straight into food or alternatively soak overnight in boiling water halve & add to food.
This will directly improve coat & skin condition.
If the situation is chronic you may require a course of blood cleansers
to be taken over a 12 week period.This will clear the blood of the
build up of toxins, boost immune and elimination systems & actively
and positively discharge waste products of infection and inflammation.
http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_blood_cleanser.html
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