Respiratory allergies and immunotherapy

[Sunshine8]

I have an 8yr old mare who is very healthy other than in the summer she suffers with allergic asthma. She is on steroid inhaler (fluticasone as dex. made her membranes very pale). She is ok in her daily life but cannot be worked without wheezing when doing anymore than a walk. All other precautions have been taken regarding her care e.g. low dust, ventilation etc.
I am considering going down the allergy testing and immunotherapy route (although not covered by insurance ) but would like to hear of any experiences and outcomes.

Thanks!

 

[fabbydo]

My mare was allergy tested. They then made a vaccine specific to her allergies. I inject her every month. She has been on this treatment for about 3 years. It doesn't eliminate her problems but keeps her well enough not to he PTS because of her allergies. She can no longer be ridden but we are lucky to still have her.

 

[NinjaPony]

Mine has the same issues. He was allergy tested and his allergies are oats, maize, mozzies, midges and horseflies, which don't explain the breathing at all. So at the moment I have just cut out the oats/maize, am treating the sweet itch much more aggressively, and managing him as a severe COPD case. I'm in the process of swapping him to haulage, and everything that touches his new stable will be sterilised, and the stable sprayed daily. I'm also going to invest in a nebuliser for the summer. He is on10x antihistamines twice a day, and that is definitely helping. I'm also giving him 8 pumps of the blue inhaler before every ride. He still isn't brilliant but certainly better. I've accepted that the summer months will be difficult-I'm convinced that his is linked to dust/heat/pollen.

My vet warned me that it is important to manage it year round, as damage to the lungs is cumulative. They also recommended that any treatment eg steroid inhalers etc is started early on in spring, before the symptoms get too bad.

Wish I had a magic answer but I don't!