USE OF CALCIUM SOAP FOR THE TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY SKIN REACTIONS IN HORSES AND PONIES

Abstract: A medicament based on a calcium soap grease is used to prevent or treat sweet-itch in horses and ponies.

Description: USE OF CALCIUM SOAP FOR THE TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY SKIN REACTIONS IN HORSES AND PONIES This invention is concerned with a novel medicament for veterinary use, particularly in the treatment or prophylaxis of sweet-itch in horses and ponies. Sweet-itch is a seasonal allergic inflammation of the skin of horses and ponies caused by a hypersensitive reaction. Insect bites, particularly from culicoides midges, are suspected of causing or exacerbating the condition. Hitherto treatment has been by application of soothing materials, such as calamine and anti-histamine creams, and anti-parasite preparations such as benzyl benzoate. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids have also been used, but prolonged use of such strong remedies is undesirable. The effect of topical application of water/oil emulsions is generally of short duration. As a preventive treatment, fly repellents have generally been too short-acting. Similar inflammatory reactions can be caused by contact with mud and rain, giving rise to mud fever and rain scald. The present invention is based on the discovery that calcium soap grease not only has a soothing effect on existing problems, but inhibits further outbreaks, and when applied early enough can prevent the onset of the condition. In one aspect the present invention provides calcium soap grease for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory skin reactions in horses and ponies. In another aspect the present invention provides the use of calcium soap grease for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory skin reactions in horses and ponies. The calcium soap grease medicament has been found particularly useful in respect of sweet-itch problems, but it may also be used in cases of mud fever and rain scald. The calcium soap grease preferably comprises a mineral oil thickened with a calcium soap. The calcium soap is preferably calcium stearate, particularly calcium 12-hydroxy stearate. The mineral oil is preferably a paraffinic oil which has been solvent refined and with a low aromatic hydrocarbon content, preferably less that 4%. A mineral oil having an initial boiling point of about 210°C and a final boiling point of about 495-500°C is especially suitable. To prepare the grease, the calcium soap is blended with the mineral oil and the mixture is heated, for example at a temperature of about 130 * C, with constant mixing until a desired penetration value of the cooled product is reached. A product with a penetration value of 265-295 at 25°C is particularly suitable (Cone Penetration - ASTM D 217/82). The calcium soap is used in an amount which will provide a desired thickening effect to the mineral oil. An amount of about 15% by weight of the combined soap/oil mixture has been found to give a suitable product. Alternatively the calcium soap grease may comprise a blend of calcium stearate and a mineral oil or grease. The calcium soap grease is preferably used directly as the medicament, without the addition of additives. However conventional veterinarially acceptable additives may be incorporated provided that they do not effect the efficacy of the product. For example dyestuffs, colouring agents, or additional thickeners or viscosity modifiers may be used to adjust the appearance or feel of the product. The pure product is preferred. In ponies and horses known to suffer from sweet-itch, the calcium soap grease is typically applied to the potential sites of irritation, usually around the mane and tail, at the beginning of the midge season usually at weekly intervals. Further applications are made if signs of sweet-itch are noticed. When animals are already suffering more frequent application may be necessary around the sites of irritation and to soften and remove any .crusts that have formed. The medicament may also be similarly used for prevention or treatment of mud fever or rain scald by applying the medicament to an inflamed area or an area of skin likely to be affected by the problem. In the case of mud fever this will primarily be the legs and possibly the stomach of the horse or pony. In the case of rain scald the upper body portions, primarily the back, will be the area to be treated. In the absence of an inflammatory problem the medicament may be used in similar fashion as an insect-repellent, especially a fly-repellent. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the medicament comprises a calcium soap alone or blended with veterinarially acceptable emollients.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. The use of a calcium soap for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory skin reactions in horses and ponies. 2. The use of a calcium soap grease for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory skin reactions in horses and ponies. 3. The use according to Claim 2 in which the calcium soap grease is a mineral oil thickened by heating with a calcium soap. 4. The use according to Claim 3, in which the mineral oil is an oil having an initial boiling point of about 210°C and a final boiling point of about 495-500°C. 5. The use according to Claim 2 in which the calcium soap grease is a blend of a calcium soap and a mineral oil or grease. 6. The use according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, in which the calcium soap comprises about 15% of the grease. 7. The use according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 in which the calcium soap is calcium stearate. 8. The use according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the medicament is for the treatment of sweet-itch. 9. The use according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the medicament is for the treatment of mud fever or rain scald. 10. A veterinary composition comprising a calcium soap dispersed in a veterinarially acceptable carrier. 11. A calcium soap as a therapeutic agent for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory skin reactions in horses and ponies. 12. A calcium soap grease as a therapeutic agent for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory skin reactions in horses and ponies.

Inventors: LE MAY DAVID S, LE MAY EDWINA J, LE MAY, DAVID, S., LE MAY, EDWINA, J.
Applicants: LE MAY DAVID S, LE MAY EDWINA J, LE MAY, DAVID, S., LE MAY, EDWINA, J.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61K31
IPC codes: A61K31, A61K47