Hay Fever?

[HelenPassfield]

Wondering if my boy has hay fever/ general pollen type allergy?

About a month ago I found him with a severe allergic reaction, bumpy skin and really swollen face (eyes/muzzle) so I assumed it was something he had eaten, this was relieved immediately he had a steroid injection from the vet and he was back to normal in 24 hours. He has had similar episodes previously (in completely different areas) but nothing so bad. Since then he seems to have had problems with his eyes being swollen and weepy, bathing with cold tea and using a fly mask during the day but does not seem to help much.

Strangely, although I have no history of hay fever my own eyes have been a bit itchy and irritated recently, so was wondering if it could be something in the atmosphere? Has anyone experienced anything similar, or know of any particular crops/pollen causing this?

He is a 21 year old anglo-arab, lives out, loads of grass right now so nothing else to eat ie hard food, haylege etc, fit and ridden most days, eventing most weekends.

 

[paulineh]

You could give him some Piriton which could help.

Another thing someone told me about is giving them some Honey from the local area.

 

[HelenPassfield]

Thanks I will give both a go

 

[JillA]

Is he grazing among buttercups? One of mine had that and it settled when I moved him away from the buttercup infested paddock. He has been fine ever since except the skin that had been swollen and "burned" is now peeling off.

 

[HelenPassfield]

Thanks for that Jill. You're absolutely right, I am infested with buttercups right now, whilst I knew they were not great all my fields have them so a bit stuck as to which areas to use, but they are on the one lease affected. I have put my sheep and goats in with them hoping they would eat them down, they have a bit but not completely so perhaps best I have them topped.

Thanks again.