Horses & Health Care - Allergies

Adapted from: Allergies in the Horse by Petra Bizikova, DVM, Ph.D., dipACVD, dipECVD, a dermatology specialist with NC State’s Veterinary Health Complex at the College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses allergies in the horse.

Not only can people suffer from allergies, but horses can too. Some of the clinical signs that may show up in allergy-prone horses are skin problems like hives and itchiness. These can actually lead to secondary skin infections. Other symptoms include watery eyes, cough,

and nasal discharge. These symptoms may all occur together or just one individual symptom may present itself. Often horses that have allergies might need medications or have a lower quality of life overall due to dealing with these symptoms. (Food allergens may also pose a problem in horses with specific symptoms.)

 

Photo Credit: http://vethospital.tamu.edu/large-animal-hospital/dermatology/allergies

 

Diagnosing horses with allergies is not an easy process. Notes will need to be taken in reference to the horse’s environment, patient history, and eating habits in addition to an exam by your veterinarian. It is obviously best to eliminate the allergen from your horse’s environment (if possible) but other treatments are available such as allergy shots. 

 

 Photo Credit: http://www.horsejournals.com/video-food-allergies-horses

There are two different ways to test for allergies in your horse. A blood test or a skin test. The skin test searches for specific allergen antibodies in the skin. The blood test searches for specific allergen elements in the blood. A lot of veterinarians like using the skin test. 

 Photo Credit: http://www.mbequineservices.com/food-allergies-in-horses/

If you notice your horse has any of the above symptoms in addition to rubbing at their skin, biting at their skin, or wheezing, you should contact your veterinarian for further investigation. If you would like more general information on horses with allergies, symptoms, or treatment, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office and speak with the Livestock Agent. 

See the full article here.