Chronic hives - what's causing them?

E

Elfen

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 March 2011
Messages
240
Visit site
My 15.3 very thinned skinned tb has had chronic hives since mid August. Literally looked like he was covered in bubble wrap. A shot of steroids brought it right down but a day later they were back. I've been trying to control them using two sachets prednisalone which keeps them at bay - but cant keep him on steroids. We've tried to work out what the cause is -fly spray, feed, bedding, flies, midges - he's had two weeks of being in - still comes up in hives - and then out totally - still gets them.

At the moment his head is particularly bad - they've burst and he's got scabs everywhere. Vet is at a loss - can't do skin scrapes until he's free from steroids but can't get them down without steroids.

Latest thinking was allergy to midges - he's covered in a rug with a neck and only his belly, head and top of neck and legs were affected. I've bought snuggy hood bug rugs and heads to see if covering head to toe will help.

Desparate to find out whats up with him.

Any advice, similar stories really welcome.

Thanks
 
My little pony had something similar and it was from something she had eaten. From what I can remember it was leaves from a particular tree I think.

Have you changed his feed or anything like that?
 
I'm really interested in this subject as I've got a 3 year old with something similar, she's had it since May.

We've tried steroids and washes but can't seem to get rid of it or to the bottom of it.
The other thing is that they get much worse when she gets hot, either from sweating (even slightly) or even just from a sunny day.

Vet is mystified as we aren't getting anywhere.

There was a thread on here recently from another lady with a similar problem and she wasn't getting anywhere either.
 
Mine horse had this last year in september and had three months trying to diagnosed it. He had skins scraps and apple core samples which showed he was allergy tested and came back that he allergic to dust mites. Which is in bedding, feeds, hay, the air. He is on immunne theapry and piriton when back.

I have changed him to bedmax, on hayledge and the thing thats worked the most is a fly rug on when out in the field.

Feel free to pm me if you need any advice
 
One of my tbs had this when we viewed her, the seller said it looked like it was sugarbeet. She said she stopped feeding it and the hives were reducing. Soon enough hives went so I didn't feed sugar beet to her again but when she done a few days full liv they automatically gave sugarbeet and she was covered in them
I guess it's just about elimination
 
Sorry,I can't shed much light either but my TB is also prone to hives and has had more flare ups than usual recently. Although they aren't as bad as what you are describing.
I've always assumed it to be linked to something shed eaten; a new bale of haylage etc.. Never thought about bedding.... As I've put a bale of fresh shavings in tonight I shall watch out for any lumps n bumps in the morning and let you know!!
I hope you get it sorted soon. X
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top