pollen allergy/ msm

[kethief]

hi has anyone ever had any success with msm for pollen allergies? my mare suffers from pollen allergies and i have been using pollene x for the past 2 months, I thought it was working as she is usually bad from feb. I now think she seemed better due to a late spring. She doesnt cough but has laboured breathing when being ridden (even in walk). Ive read some info on msm for allergy sufferers and wandered if anyone had tried it.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

MSM as in joint supplements do you mean? I've never heard of that and I'm not sure what the link is though I'd be VERY interested in replies to your post. My horse Sunny has summer pasture allergy that I think is caused primarily by pollen from the hawthorn blossom in hedgerows. Last summer he was very ill as on top of his pollen allergy he picked up a chesty virus that went round the yard. He was struggling to breathe at one point. This year, I've been prepared in advance and have waited...and waited...and waited for the first few coughs to start but so far, nothing. I'd put this down to a late spring too but last December, I put him on Cosequin for his joints as he's 23. I'm poised with a tub of ventipulmin, nose net and Nostrilvet but you've got me wondering now whether the high levels of msm in Cosequin could have made a difference. Just to mention that Sunny is on our local equine vets Veteran Programme and he has a health check twice a year. The vets have told me that he has permanently altered lung sounds as a result of last year's struggle. He breathes deeply all the time, which means if he ever needs to breathe MORE deeply, he hasn't got much in reserve. So I'd be very careful with managing your ned's allergy as the lung damage will increase every time your horse reacts to the allergens. Go easy on her work levels too - at one point last year I thought Sunny was going to have a heart attack just being ridden at walk up a medium slope. He had to stop and was gasping for air. Dreadful to see. Good luck with your research x

 

[saz5083]

I think the theory is the anti-inflammatory properties of MSM help with lung inflammation associated with an allergic respiratory response. I have an 8 year old eventer with summer allergies that is partially managed on equine america airways and would be interested to hear if anyone has found MSM successful if it would help manage his condition better. I might give it a trial this year myself and see how we get on!

 

[kethief]

I can't find the original article I read, but it.was mainly about improving a horse that suffered pollen related heaves. I have since Googled msm and horses and there seems to be so many benefits from using msm for humans as well as horses that I feel I might as well give it a try. But all article mention breathing and allergies. MY mare is 17.so even if it doesn't help her breathing it will benefit her in other ways. I have not had the vet yet as I want to try alternatives to ventapulmin as I'm sure that's what they will give her. Hopefully get some over the weekend so will give it for a few weeks and if it doesnt help I will I get the vet.