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  Discussion on Allergies and anhyDrOsis
Author Message
New Member:
bsmith4

Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 8:50 pm:

Hi, I have a 9 year old liver chestnut quarter horse that suffers from allergies (probably sweet itch) every summer. I have owned him since he was 3. My 12-year-old daughter competes him in eventing, so keeping his skin / hair looking good and not testing positive for drugs during recognized competitions is important. His allergies have gotten worse the last couple of years. It starts when temp (88+) and humidity get high (live in TX). He gets itchy, has regular circle hives, and then also has what I'm assuming is another type of hives which are mulitple lines which run all the way down his side. He rubs himself until he rubs off hair and he rips off hide. The worst areas tend to be in the typical neck, chest, flanks, butt areas. He is boarded and during summer he is turned out in paddock at night (not much shade) and in the stall during day. The first summer it was really bad and he started ripping off his hide when he was itching, we tried giving him a steroid injection. Two days later he almost suffered a heat stroke and went into anhyDrOsis for 3 weeks (he was 5 years). I found him panting, not sweating, with a very elevated temp. Immediately I began soaking him in ice water and we had to administer fluids. Ever since then, he seems very sensitive to extreme heat/cold temps. He does not sweat well in hot weather, unless we give him a beer daily (Guiness Extra Stout). We can't give him beer 5-7 days before recognized shows because I've been told (FEI rules) that it tests positive. We give him One AC instead. We also can't give antihistamines regularly because of testing. When itching/hair loss is really bad we sparingly use a topical steroid spray..but again it tests. We have tried accupuncture as well as other bath/sprays recommended by holistic vet. Last summer, we managed him (but with lots of itching and hair loss) with daily hosing, fly spray, beer, the EQYSS Spray and bath for skin problems, and occasional steroid spray/ oral antihistamine. He is worked typically 5 days a week and shown about 2 times a month. I guess my questions are, other than praying for colder weather in Texas:

1) Is there anything else we could be doing for his allergies?
2) Are the 2-4 rows of raised lines from girth to flank which follow the curve of his stomach another type of hive...he keeps these several months out of the year now
3) Are we correct in assuming the steroid shot sent his system into such a state that it probably caused the anhyDrOsis
4) Should we be concerned about any future steroid use.
5) Is there anything else we are missing that we should be looking at or doing?

He is a very nice, competitive horse that usually places well. He seems to enjoy his job except during hot weather, when he is often miserable. But, unfortately, we live in Texas, where we get a lot of hot, humid weather.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 9:30 am:

Welcome Rebecca,
Let me start off with your first (and last) question. There are important management steps outlined in the article that you do not mention above. If you are not doing all of them they should instituted and strictly followed. If this does not completely control the problem you should try desensitization as this has on occasion been associated with a improved situation. Note that each of the treatment steps outlined in the article are not used individually but are additive and layered one on top of the other.

2. Such "dermatome" patterns have been noted with some allergic conditions so if the time frame is consistent with the culicoides exposure, I would attribute them to the culicoides until proved otherwise.

3,4. It is not certain that the steroids set off a heat stroke and period of exacerbated anhiDrOsis. We still are unsure on many of the mechanisms by which a horse becomes anhiDrOtic and this problem may have been set off by the severity of the pruritis that led you to give the steroids in the first place. But this too is conjecture.

DrO
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