My horse Fellow had two episodes of this, and a gelding I had years ago had one as well. My vet prescribed the same drug(s) but only one dose and the hives went away. He said he was likely allergic to a weed he found or some other noxious substance. The first one for Fellow happened after his first 50 mile ride. I left the awards dinner to go check on him (worried mom), felt under his sheet to be sure his muscles were still soft and found the hives/welts..I took off the sheet and they were all over his body. I took him to the vet and he gave him a shot. Two hours later, all the welts were gone. The second time was about a year later and I found him in his pasture with them. I took him to my vet, a shot again cured them up. He gave me some powdered Dex to keep in my trailer in case it happens when I am out and about. Both vets said he likely ate something noxious. (he eats anything)!
I would look for a weed/substance that your horse may have gotten into.
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From: lwinkel@xxxxxxxx To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Possible Hives Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2008 08:21:56 -0400
I suddenly keep having a problem with my gelding AJ
and what appear to be hives. For the last several weeks he keeps breaking out
all over with what appears to be hives I do not think it is mosquito bites.
Since he is covered head to toe.
The vet put him on the steroid Dex and benadryl
which I gave a series of treatments to him and got him all cleared up then about
two days later they are back.. of course they come back on the weekend when we
need to go out and do a ride to try and stay in some shape..
We live in Florida so it is hot and humid at this
time of year but he has never had a problem before he is 8 years old and we have
not changed anything in his environment or food..
He is now on a daily 1.5 cc of dex to hopefully
just keep it in his system enough to keep the hives away.
How hard is the dex on his system I am concerned
about him being on a steroid so often.. and the benadryl makes him want to just
kill over.. he is very tired with the medicine..
