Severe allergy in pony

minesadouble

minesadouble

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Has anyone had any experience of a really severe allergy problem in horses. I have a pony who becomes really poorly in summer, symptoms include hugely filled legs (I'm talking elephant proportions), cracked heels, nasal passages intermittently swelling, intermittent lumps on and around neck & jaw area & weight loss, his breathing is normally fine though in v.hot weather he blows a little.
He is fine in winter, blood tests have revealed nothing and myself and vets are pretty much at a loss. Every summer I think we will have to have him destroyed but so far winter has come just in time to relieve him. He eats as normal just becomes a little depressed. Any help would be greatly apppreciated.
 
Our pony was on massive doses of antihistamines for headshaking a while back, and they made her absolutely psychotic! Really didn't suit her at all. Currently she is suffering from an allergy and has lumps weeping over her quarters and down her back legs. The vet gave her a steroid injection and some antibiotics and did a blood test, but like yours is baffled as to the cause. It started after she had a new bag of Megazorb but it is unlikely to be that. Isn't it frustrating?!
 
It is so frustrating. We think this may be some kind of tree pollen allergy but really we are just guessing - keeping him stabled doesn't work either - just makes him colicky! I keep almost making the decision to have him put down and then put it off in the hope that some solution will turn up.
 
my youngsters had allergy problems since last October, hes had biopsy and numerouse drugs but nothing has worked.
After cutting out his feeds and monitoring everything for months we have found that it is the grass. everytime hes moved on to fresh grass he comes out in huge lumps. I havent got a clue what to do any more he cant even eat hay.
My vets suggested moving him to another location some way away to see if this helps as it may be somthing growing in my pasture that hes reacting to.
The steorid helped him for about a month thats all, but im not keen on him having to keep having them all the time.
I know exactly how you feel, your poor horsey seems to be suffering much worse than mine.
Try moving yards just for a couple of weeks see if it helps, sorry dont know what else to suggest
frown.gif


Debs x
 
if you suspect its something in the field have you considered using a fine mesh nosenet?
i have used these with varied success but there has always been a degree of improvement even if its just slight, but the big key is to have two, so you always have one clean (i do 12 hours on then change and give the used net a good rinse in cold water)
good for headshaking too
 
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