Mystery Illness... again. Need new ideas!

[WillowHoney]

ATR, Yes we did allergy testing last year (skin, then blood), and she was essentially allergic to a huge list of items (that she was not allergic to in prior years.) I spent the money to go ahead with allergy therapy (injections) and she got even worse condition wise- so on my vet’s advice- I stopped. That’s when I called a nutritionist, we got her back with a great feeding/supplement program. I did allergy testing after she was stable again, and the allergy results came back with only one or two positive items. So, when I say ‘it wasn’t necessarily allergies’ that’s the meaning behind that.

When she was positive/over the limit for about 20 allergens, we had to use feed & supplements without soy, flax, rice, corn… What a challenge that was! And before testing when we thought it was solely allergies responsible for her condition- I was mixing her meds with soy-bean feeds. Essentially poisoning her accidentally (like you mentioned).

GREAT idea on the checking liver enzymes. The horse psychic (when I say ill try anything… I did haha) mentioned focusing on her liver (which is just logical considering her issues.)

[WillowHoney]

These are great ideas- thank you!
Never had her neurologically evaluated, am open to doing that.

For her hives last year we used hydroxyzine, then Dex, then prednisone. The vet stepped up to each more intense drug as the others weren’t working. THEN her condition got WORSE on prednisone, so I tapered her off and she stopped declining further. The vet wanted me to keep upping her dose . YIKES!

I have stopped all supplements as she wont eat the supps anyway. I’m glad to hear you had success with this… it makes sense as well!

[Bluey]

We had decades ago a horse with allergies so bad he would sit down and scratch his belly, that his shoulders, neck and face would get bare, no hair left and the skin looked like elephant skin.
Our vet finally gave him a shot of long lasting cortisone, Depo-Medrol ( Depo means long lasting, Medrol was the brand name of that preparation) and he cleared up and his quality of life improved tremendously.

There is a chance a horse may founder with that medication, but he never did.

For some years he would get his first shot late March, it lasted one to three months, when he started getting hives and then scratching, we learned to right away get him the next shot.
Generally by late fall he finally quit itching so badly, so it was seasonal allergies, but sure strong ones.
We never had to give more than three shots in one year, mostly two at his worst.
Once past 20, he had way less itching, we quit having to keep him so medicated.
By the way, he lived out to pasture in his gelding herd his whole life.

OP, a different clinical picture than your horse, but maybe something to ask your vet, if nothing else, as a diagnostic, a see what happens try?

[WillowHoney]

And thank you everyone that reiterated getting her outside again. Obviously as a lifetime horsewoman I do know living like a horse… is best for a horse… haha. But, thousands of people keep their horses in stalls with runs (like us) and do decently. But, my girl isn’t having it. So, OUT we go! It’s so helpful to hear others say the things you are thinking about. I have 3 awesome leads for huge pasture boarding.

[WillowHoney]

I will ask about Depo-Medrol. This makes sense as other drugs have lowered cortisol levels.

[oldernewbie]

The vet in the family says Zyrtec is also very effective. I talked to a vet at a horse show this summer that said she uses benadryl to get things under control and then switches to Zyrtec for long term use. I considered that but my horse was doing so well on bendadryl I hated to change mid summer.

Since I have a vet in the family to keep a close eye on things, I may also try Kinetic equishield this summer. I know, I know, I said I don’t like supplements, but since my trusted vet said people really like it, I may try it. It also has the benefit of not needing to be withdrawn before a show like antihistamines. Will give it a try and if it doesn’t help, back to the drugs.

Good luck!

[Bluey]

@oldernewbie

The vet in the family says Zyrtec is also very effective. I talked to a vet at a horse show this summer that said she uses benadryl to get things under control and then switches to Zyrtec for long term use. I considered that but my horse was doing so well on bendadryl I hated to change mid summer.

Since I have a vet in the family to keep a close eye on things, I may also try Kinetic equishield this summer. I know, I know, I said I don’t like supplements, but since my trusted vet said people really like it, I may try it. It also has the benefit of not needing to be withdrawn before a show like antihistamines. Will give it a try and if it doesn’t help, back to the drugs.

Good luck!

Oh, if showing, do not use any kind of corticosteroid, those are not legal for showing!

I don’t think they have an exception for serious allergies.

[oldernewbie]

USEF allows dexamethasone 10mg 12 hours before you show. Benadryl has to be withdrawn for 24 hours. So I would take him off the benadryl and give him 10 mg of dex the night before he showed to keep things under control. It’s a pain. If a neutraceutical like the Equishield would work, it would be great.

[Bluey]

@oldernewbie

USEF allows dexamethasone 10mg 12 hours before you show. Benadryl has to be withdrawn for 24 hours. So I would take him off the benadryl and give him 10 mg of dex the night before he showed to keep things under control. It’s a pain. If a neutraceutical like the Equishield would work, it would be great.

Thank you for the information.

Maybe do not use long lasting products when showing.

[oldernewbie]

If I don’t use something like bendadryl, I might as well not go to the show. He is frantic under saddle when he isn’t on something for his allergies. Took me a while to figure this out and I really don’t want to go back there!

[Bluey]

@oldernewbie

If I don’t use something like bendadryl, I might as well not go to the show. He is frantic under saddle when he isn’t on something for his allergies. Took me a while to figure this out and I really don’t want to go back there!

I know, we bought our gelding at four and when allergies flared, he could not stand, had to move and jig all the time he was being ridden, miserable for everyone.
Once on medication, he was back to his own sweet, quiet self.

[4horses]

Itchy tail suggests possible pinworms. I would probably cut everything from her diet. Stop all supplements and start a completely new and different type of hay. No feed or grain at first.

You are trying to eliminate anything the horse might be allergic to. If this approach does not cause an improvement in a couple weeks, then you can assure it isn’t a food allergy. Then you can start considering environment - exposure to blankets, beeding, pollen, mold etc.

Neck threadworms? Maybe?

Insect hypersensitivity? If you live in the south.