Severe Hives

[WillowHoney]

Hey there, yes it started 3 months ago; February 1st. At first we just gave her hydroxyzine, then dex for 5 days; and they went away. They came back with a vengeance stronger, and bigger within a few days after stopping the dex. Then my vet put her on Prednisolone. It initially worked to bring down some inflammation; but now it no longer works in that regard.

and you’re right, for the last month now i’ve been in my ‘Columbo’ mindset- hah.

I have a new vet coming out today; who is also a nutritionist. I’m hoping she can give me a new direction or some ideas.

At this point, my brain keeps telling me “these aren’t just allergies.” But I’ve also gone down the neurotic rabbit hole of trying so many different things that I feel like I don’t know anything anymore- like the matrix LOL.

[WillowHoney]

@Kyrabee

spirulina

Hi Susan! No, I haven’t heard of spirulina yet. Adding that to my list of research.

[WillowHoney]

Yes, moving is on the list of things I am going to do- just can’t make it happen ASAP. I am on a few waiting lists in different barns/areas.

[Prairie_Girl]

I had a horse that had a similar reaction we ended up doing the allergy shots, added spirulina, flax plus DHA, removed all-grain (worried about cross-contamination from manufacturing), removed alfalfa, and steamed his hay (this was an absolute must for this horse in particular because one of the allergens was corn pollen). In the end, we were not really sure what caused the reaction but we were able to eventually get it under control.

[WillowHoney]

@Prairie_Girl

was an absolute must for this horse in particular because one of the allergens was corn pollen). In th

Oh this is great to hear! I’ve been looking into a hay steamer too. And just heard “spirulina” from another member as well. Thank you for commenting. “adding it to the list”.

[atr]

Could your vet take her to the clinic for a couple of weeks to change her environment? At least then you’d find out if you needed to change her living situation permanently. Poor horse (and poor you!)

[Prairie_Girl]

Just checking to see how Willow is making out?

[vxf111]

Wow, that is worse than I was expecting. How is she now?

[WillowHoney]

Thank you for checking in! <3 So, I don’t want to celebrate quite yet… I don’t know if we are out of the woods. But, she has had 4 clear days of hives now!

I got recommended to call a Horse Nutritionist (she’s also a DVM). We are on a new feeding regimen, and It’s working! Also happy report that I completely tapered Willow off of the prednisolone, and the remaining hives did NOT get as bad as when she as on the steroids- bizarre.

It wasn’t quite an ‘allergy’ issue. She has ‘leaky gut’ which as you all may have read or know about, that it causes all sorts of issues, and can make their entire system out of whack.

2X a day:
Camelina Oil
Organic Sea Salt
Aloe Vera Leaf Juice
Whey Protein Isolate
Digest Plus (Probiotic)
Tru-Care Trace minerals
Espirit Endocrine boost
Spirulina (A lot of you mentioned this here too)
Hygain Zero (as a mixer only, but has nothing she’s ‘allergic’ to)
Rice Bran

Again, I don’t want to get my hopes up too soon. But, check this out!!
I’m going to give it another week or so, and if we are still in the clear I can’t wait to recommend & share the person responsible for saving my girl
.

[Bluey]

Wow, good something is working, she looks so nice and shiny and best, no scary bumps all over.

[Prairie_Girl]

Amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing!

[Gardenhorse]

So glad she’s doing better!

[Gracie]

My black horse started to break out in hives about 2 years about starting in spring. A fellow boarder recommended Inside Out by Cheval International. This year is our second season to use this product; I started using it late February (north Texas here) and it has kept the hives under control so far. After the rains let up, the biting flies and horse flies are very active; hopeful that this product will help.

This product is very messy and strong odor. I baggy it for the barn staff to add to evening feed. My horse has no problem eating it. You have to buy it via Cheval International; no one carries it locally. I think this product has too short a shelf life for local vendors to keep on the shelf. Feed throughs take a good 3-4 weeks to show efficacy which is why I started the Inside Out late winter.

[vxf111]

LOOKS AMAZING!

I would love to have contact info for that nutirtionist, if you don’t mind. I am battling allergies (though my horse’s hives are not nearly that severe!)

[ndirish07]

Wow!!! That’s amazing. She looks great— fingers crossed this new feeding protocol works long term. And well done to you to keep looking for an answer and being your horse’s best advocate.

[PaddockWood]

What an amazing turnaround! 20 yrs ago people sneared at the concept of leaky gut. That is one good vet!

[WillowHoney]

If this works for Willow, I’m going to document the timeline, the tried treatments, drugs, failures, successes etc. I haven’t been able to find another case like this online yet. I hope it helps someone somewhere.

[Brown_Derby]

Thank you for that (happy) and informative update. And what a relief it must be to stop the steroids. I’ve never heard of leaky gut causing these symptoms; fascinating and so helpful.

[quietann]

That’s quite a turnaround.

I knew one horse who got hives that bad, and then it got worse and his airway was closing up. The vet came and pumped steroids into him, and said, “get him out of this barn. Now.” (There was nothing wrong with the barn; the vet was just acting on a hunch.) The owner called around and found someone a few miles away who had an open stall. Horse was moved within hours, and immediately got better. The owner tried to bring him back to the first barn a couple of times, with not-good results, and eventually the horse started getting allergy symptoms at the second barn. One of the other vets in the practice offered to take him as he’d also had a terrible reaction at a show or two. She hung onto him for a while; he did fine at the vets’ clinic as long as he was on 24/7 turnout. Eventually he was sold to a family who had no desire to compete or anything, and he became a good kids’ horse for them.

[skydy]

It’s good to see your horse without hives. What a relief, for both you and your horse.