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Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

   Welcome to my forum. 

Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information. 

Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you. 

Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought

I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.

And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.  

 

All the best,

 Dr. Getty 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Re: Ants

Thanks for the info. I'll try the calm coat. Have you ever seen bites in the horses ears? I thought the horse had ant bites because she had a few small soars under her belly but now I found a few in her ears. You said the bites would be clustered together and get a white bump, these didn't. I groom her almost every day and about ten days ago, I noticed soars on her belly. I have been using equiderma on them but it didn't help. The vet said they might be ant bites and gave be some bedigen spray. Now I'm not sure since it seems odd that she would have a few on her belly and they are scattered around and now the ears. Atleast I know what to look for now when it is ants.
Thanks

Re: Ants

Peg, I haven't seen fire ant bites inside the ears, although I'm sure that's possible. I've seen lots of bites on the neck and around the poll and outer ears. Inside the ears might be flies, especially if the bites seem to have dark scabs. You might check around the stall for fire ants and treat them as needed, then maybe put a flymask with ears on the horse if you don't seem to have an ant problem.

Where are you from? Peaster Texas

How did you locate this forum? Equine DDS, 2-3 years ago

Re: Ants

Hi Peg and Pam,

The issue of ant bites is not a nutritional one, so I cannot specifically address it here. Calm Coat is helpful, as well as rubbing a small amount of Vicks Vaporub on the ears.

Your vet can provide an antihistimine to relieve the pain and itching.

Formerly from Texas, I know how these ant hills can appear overnight after a rain, so the best approach is to treat the ant hills as soon as possible. Most horses avoid them, but there are plenty of accidental encounters.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO