Your Horse gets the Sniffles, Too
by Nicole Lanphear
As spring draws near, you aren’t the only one to fear the rising pollen count. Break out the bottle of Benadryl or Claritin. Allergy season is here – for you and your horse.
Equine allergies are not limited to any breed, size, or gender. They can appear in any horse at any point in the horse's life. Asking about allergy attacks before you purchase the horse is an important step to better prepare yourself and your vet in case your horse experiences symptoms again.
In a given day, your horse is surrounded by dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens. Reactions vary from mild to life-threatening, and can also be a result of bug bites, supplements, or even some types of hay. Some horses will react to a vaccination or a new fly spray.
The symptoms for horse allergies can easily be associated with other diseases or ailments, and there is no diagnostic testing for hives or any other allergic reactions short of skin biopsies and other costly, inconclusive methods.
Symptoms can present as skin allergies or respiratory ailments. Most commonly, after being exposed to the allergen, hives will appear around the horse’s neck or shoulders. The horse will itch and might also present with a fever.
Many horses will recover from hives on their own, but if symptoms persist, corticosteroid sprays or an allergy shot from your vet can help alleviate the reaction. Most importantly, recognize the source of the allergen and remove it so that the horse can recover. Repeated exposure to the source could lead to a more serious reaction.
For respiratory allergies, “heaving” is the most common reaction. Coughing, heavy breathing, and nasal discharge are signs of heaves, which can be caused by anything from mold spores to pollen. Fresh air or changing the bedding can reduce allergens in the horse’s immediate environment.
Hay hosts organisms that can lead to allergic reactions such as heaves. Soaking the hay in water can help remove some of those allergens, but if the reaction is serious enough, consider replacing hay with pellet feed. Always consult your vet first and explore other options, such as other types of hay or feed. As a second measure, corticosteroids administered by the vet can ease the effects of heaves.
Preparation for allergy season is the best prevention for your horse’s allergies. Be aware of changes in your horse’s behavior or condition. If you change fly spray or feed, be on alert for allergic reactions so you can remove the allergen as quickly as possible if your horse reacts. Cleaning out the dusty barn rafters, keeping old hay outside, and ensuring good air circulation in barns will help reduce allergens – hopefully for you and your horse!
Equine Allergy Symptoms*:
Sources:
1. “Horse Allergies: Symptoms, Common Causes & Treatments of Equine Allergy,” www.horses-and-horse-information.com
2. “Allergic Reactions” by Heather Smith Thomas, www.TheHorse.com
As spring draws near, you aren’t the only one to fear the rising pollen count. Break out the bottle of Benadryl or Claritin. Allergy season is here – for you and your horse.
Equine allergies are not limited to any breed, size, or gender. They can appear in any horse at any point in the horse's life. Asking about allergy attacks before you purchase the horse is an important step to better prepare yourself and your vet in case your horse experiences symptoms again.
In a given day, your horse is surrounded by dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens. Reactions vary from mild to life-threatening, and can also be a result of bug bites, supplements, or even some types of hay. Some horses will react to a vaccination or a new fly spray.
The symptoms for horse allergies can easily be associated with other diseases or ailments, and there is no diagnostic testing for hives or any other allergic reactions short of skin biopsies and other costly, inconclusive methods.
Symptoms can present as skin allergies or respiratory ailments. Most commonly, after being exposed to the allergen, hives will appear around the horse’s neck or shoulders. The horse will itch and might also present with a fever.
Many horses will recover from hives on their own, but if symptoms persist, corticosteroid sprays or an allergy shot from your vet can help alleviate the reaction. Most importantly, recognize the source of the allergen and remove it so that the horse can recover. Repeated exposure to the source could lead to a more serious reaction.
For respiratory allergies, “heaving” is the most common reaction. Coughing, heavy breathing, and nasal discharge are signs of heaves, which can be caused by anything from mold spores to pollen. Fresh air or changing the bedding can reduce allergens in the horse’s immediate environment.
Hay hosts organisms that can lead to allergic reactions such as heaves. Soaking the hay in water can help remove some of those allergens, but if the reaction is serious enough, consider replacing hay with pellet feed. Always consult your vet first and explore other options, such as other types of hay or feed. As a second measure, corticosteroids administered by the vet can ease the effects of heaves.
Preparation for allergy season is the best prevention for your horse’s allergies. Be aware of changes in your horse’s behavior or condition. If you change fly spray or feed, be on alert for allergic reactions so you can remove the allergen as quickly as possible if your horse reacts. Cleaning out the dusty barn rafters, keeping old hay outside, and ensuring good air circulation in barns will help reduce allergens – hopefully for you and your horse!
Equine Allergy Symptoms*:
- sneezing
- labored breathing
- head shaking
- nasal discharge
- nasal bleeding
- heaves
- hives, itching
- hair loss from rubbing
Sources:
1. “Horse Allergies: Symptoms, Common Causes & Treatments of Equine Allergy,” www.horses-and-horse-information.com
2. “Allergic Reactions” by Heather Smith Thomas, www.TheHorse.com
Labels: Equine Wellness, March 2008, nicole lanphear
posted by NWHS at
6:31 PM
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