Ask the Vet: Allergies in Horses
Due to the lack of rain and the false spring we are having this winter, many animals are suffering from respiratory and skin allergies. At this time of year, animals are often furrier than normal due to the weather, so skin issues can be concealed until they get worse. The skin is the largest organ of the body and has the huge responsibility of protecting the skeleton and internal organs. When allergies occur, it breaks down the skin barrier allowing for bacteria and fungus to invade setting up the perfect conditions for infection.
Clinical signs: The first sign often noticed and the most common clinical sign is itching. Owners will notice the horse’s lip quivering when grooming, indicating that it feels good and itches. They will often also find hairless patches on the ventral midline of the belly. These are usually circular and can be raised or crusty depending on what is causing the irritation. Intense itching often leads to hair loss, skin damage, secondary infections, and thickened, wrinkled skin.
Treatment: It is recommended to contact your veterinarian for a full clinical exam to help determine the cause of the allergies. Your veterinarian can often look at lesions and determine the cause, but might also recommend allergy testing if the cause is not evident. In our area, insects are most often to blame with the most intense time of year being the summer. This is often termed “sweet itch.” If allergy testing is performed, the animal can then be placed on immunotherapy to reduce clinical signs and discomfort. There are other oral medications horses can be started on to help reduce systemic itch and improve overall comfort.
Owners are also capable of helping the itch and discomfort associated by doing their best to avoid insects. Ways this can be achieved would include the use of fly spray, fly sheets and fly masks.
Owners can also direct fans at the animals to help prevent any insects from landing on the animal causing irritation. They can try and control the environment by using fly traps, fly predators, and eliminating any standing water that would attract insects. Horses will often
appreciate a cool water bath in a mild shampoo to help reduce inflammation.
If all of these modalities have been implemented, with little to no resolution, it is advised to contact your veterinarian for help and direction for treating the skin allergy.
“Ask the Vet” is a monthly column written by local veterinarians including Colin Chaves of Covington Creek Veterinary, Karen Novak of Mendocino Village Veterinary, and Kendall Willson of Mendocino Equine and Livestock. Past articles can be found on the AdvocateNews and Beacon websites by searching “Ask the Vet.”