Using cetirizine?

[oldhat]

I am about to try my horse on the above to try to reduce a terrible rash of hives she has literally just come up with, has anyone else sucessfully done this? I read an old post by popsicle saying that it had been deemed ok by vets and that around 10 10 mg tabs were about right. What do you think?? Bit worried about doing this, I'v already
covered her in hydrocortizone cream, she doesn't seem that worried but definitely likes a scratch, she did suffer from bad skin allergy when about 2 yr old but this is the first one since.

 

[Archiepoo]

Hi weve had a few horses come up in hives this year and they all have cetirizine. one horse is having 8 tabs every other day cos she just been plastered in lumps.

 

[oldhat]

I take it you are using the human version? She's not had a problem in so long it's odd, not sure whether to put a fly rug on her (usually so windy not needed), don't want to aggravate her skin more

 

[Archiepoo]

yes using the human version. ive never seen so many horses suffering as seem to be this year. i use fly rugs and also cold hosing makes them more comfortable, i even hose the flyrugs to keep them cool for a while

 

[mjcssjw2]

i do, but antihistamines are not thought to be particulary useful in horses, my horse wears a fly rug and mask all the time and I spray the fly stuff on top of the rug if I'm desperate.
Steroids are thought to be more effective, but then we are warned about the risks of laminitis. I tried the nostrilvet yesterday -my horse if rubbing his nose quite badly and it worked a treat, rode him in muzzle veil tonight and that was also very useful, but of course depends on your issues!!

 

[Venevidivici]

We've had one vet tell an owner they're no use in horses and another say yes,use them,they're fine and they work! In the 2 horses we've used them on (went with 2nd vet,as nothing to lose!) they worked Think owners gave 10 human tabs per day.

 

[glenruby]

Antihistamines are not very effective in horses at all. Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is the most effective of an ineffective lot but requires a dose rate of 1-2mg/kg.