Having witnessed the nightmare…the first thing I would test for is pemphigus. Is there a vet school nearby that could biopsy via scalpel or punch? (Scrapings and smears are often inconclusive if the horse has been bathed).
Good luck. It sounds like you are uncovering all the rocks.
This seems like a reasonable idea. It sounds like you’ve nearly exhausted all the possible allergic components. Maybe it’s something more… medical?
Also, have you tried leaving a daysheet on her, just as an experiment? My old gelding started looking like yours every spring. Did the testing, the shots, the Azium, the Benadryl, etc. and nothing worked reliably. So I tried putting his sheet on. He’d ONLY break out where the sheet did not cover him. That’s when we realized it was a contact allergic reaction.
Is she on turnout? I would check the pasture for grass types, weeds, treats well meaning people give her. Plus bugs could be a major factor. Looks like something she is ingesting or rolling in to cause all over hives.
Have you tried spirulina?
I had a mare that would look like that when it got hot…July and August. She was especially bad when it was in the high 90’s-100. I also think she was allergic to corn. It seemed to happen if the field next to her pen was planted in corn and that is about when it tasseled and the pollen flew. The spirulina did tamp down her response quite a bit. It wasn’t a complete “fix” but it did help.
Man, it is frustrating to figure it out. Good luck.
Susan
What you are feeding her may be on her “safe list” but still be an allergy trigger. I have a pony that has allergies and tested negative for beet pulp and alfalfa and both give him hives over his entire body like your mare. So I would be thinking there might be some false negatives on the tests and maybe consider the feed is in fact contributing to the hives. Sorry you are going through this, it’s so frustrating.
I’d suggest a consult with a veterinary dermatologist.
If you’re anywhere near UC/Davis, Dr. Stephen White is brilliant.
If you get skin biopsies done, have them read out by a veterinary dermatohistopathologist.
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.
Hi Susan! No, I haven’t heard of spirulina yet. Adding that to my list of research.
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.
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.
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”.
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!)
Just checking to see how Willow is making out?
Wow, that is worse than I was expecting. How is she now?
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
.
Wow, good something is working, she looks so nice and shiny and best, no scary bumps all over.
Amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing!
So glad she’s doing better!
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.
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!)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
