My mare breaks out in hives when clipped, bathing doesn’t help, changing blankets from nylon lined to bucas has a little but not 100% The vet has been out a few times and it seems prednisolone has been the answer. I wouldnt mind finding an alternative to steriods …I read on here about people using Spirulina however I cant get my mare to touch her food with 2 tablespoons of it in it… would feeding less be pointless?
I would wonder if starting with a smaller amount and then slowly building it up would work. A lot of horses need spirulina well disguised in order to eat it!
Mix it with applesauce and use a syringe.
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That is a lot of spirulina. you start small and gradually add more. If your feed has soy in it I would remove the soy and see if that resolves the hives.
What does spiralina contain? Most seaweed products are heavy on iodine and not much else.
I’ve used spirulina for a horse with respiratory allergies but not specifically to address hives. He did also get hives at times, mostly in response to bug bites.When he got hives, I applied witchhazel to the hives, Just slather on with your hand or a cloth. It brought the hives down or minimized them surprisingly quickly. If the hives are a short-term reaction after clipping, I’d try the witchhazel.
As others have said, start slow (small doses) of spirulina and work up. That is quite a large dose you are feeding. Also, adding oil (cocoasoy or such) to her feed along with the spirulina may help make it more palatable. Mine had a decent response to less than half the dose you are giving.
Smartpak has a pelleted version https://www.smartpakequine.com/ps/spirulina-pellets-by-smartpak-13893
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Spirulina is not high in iodine. It’s not a salt-water algae.
I started mine on 1/4 teaspoon a day, and did get him up to 2 tablespoons!
Dr. Kellon recommends spirulina, chondroitin, and flax for allergies. “4 to 16 oz (by weight) of flax seed, 2500 to 5000 mg of chondroitin sulfate twice daily and 20 grams (1 oz) of Spirulina powder by volume measure twice daily. Also needs to be paired with a properly mineral balanced diet. Start the flax and chondroitin before allergy season for best results.”
Thanks everyone, once we switched her blankets to bucas ones with no nylon the hives all went away…but her skin is destroyed from the long term reaction to the nylon of her Amigo blankets being in such close contact with her skin. Time to pump the Omega 3 I guess! I really appreciate the responses !
Get some equiderma. Its a miracle worker for skin issues.
I shall! poor girl has mega dandruff now!
