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Discussion on Delayed Reaction to Bee Stings?
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Member:
Dakota04
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 30, 2005 - 5:31 pm:
Last weekend my trail club went on a ride nearby for a work party. Unfortunately, we encountered a large hive of ground bees along the way. A lot of the horses suffered a few stings including mine. I only saw one or two and he didn't seem very distressed after the initial pain.
However, all this week he's been scratching himself on his hindquarters, shoulders, legs, etc. and leaving behind lesions and open sores. I've also noticed in places his skin and hair are kind of bumpy and this is where a sore will develop. I gave him a bath today with a medicated shampoo hoping this will give him relief. I haven't seen this on any of the other horses, just him, so I don't think it's contagious.
Could this be a delayed reaction to bee stings? Like I said, I only saw that he got one or two that were obvious. Or maybe this is an allergy? Nothing in his feed or pasture has changed so that seems unlikely.
Help!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 31, 2005 - 11:41 am:
I have had bee stings that remained itchy and scabbed-over for days after the actual sting. But this should be resolving by this time.
DrO
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Member:
Dakota04
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Posted on Monday, Aug 1, 2005 - 1:49 pm:
It looks like it's starting to calm down some and he's not scratching as much. I was watching a spot on his shoulder to develop into a sore but it looks like it's starting to go away. The others are scabbing over too and he has stopped the intense scratching. For a few days every time I went out to the barn, I'd find a new sore.
Can a horse be given epinephrin (sp?) for stings? This time of year we go into the mountains a lot so encountering bees is pretty common.
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Monday, Aug 1, 2005 - 4:07 pm:
Can a horse be given Benadryl (and if so, at what dose?) Years ago when my dog was a puppy, she stumbled into a ground nest of bees or wasps. Within moments, her head swelled up to the size of a basketball...we were so worried that her throat would also swell and possibly close so we gave her a small child dose of Benadryl (based on weight) and then tried to find a vet (it was late on a Saturday night, of course). By the time we got a call back from the emergency vet, he recommended Benadryl (fortunately, we gave the right dose) and shortly after, the swelling started to go down dramatically. Just curious if the same would work for horses...DrO?
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Monday, Aug 1, 2005 - 4:36 pm:
Holly and Fran,
I've used Ranch salad dressing, as it has MSG in it, on the bites. It seemed to help. Meat tenderiser no longer has MSG.Kim
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Member:
Dakota04
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Posted on Monday, Aug 1, 2005 - 6:03 pm:
Ranch salad dressing - now that's interesting. I guess if it's the MSG that works, than soy sauce should be good too. The only problem is your horse smelling like Chinese take-out! ha ha.
One of the horses on this ride wasn't so lucky. His owner counted 240 individual bee stings. He's lucky he didn't go into shock and die from it.
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Monday, Aug 1, 2005 - 7:14 pm:
Chinese take out-that makes me smile!
Ranch might stick better than soy sauce.
That poor horse with so many bites! Dante's cleared up quickly. He had about 4-6 of them. Stepped in a hive in the pasture. I've never seen him run so fast!
Kim
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 2, 2005 - 7:02 am:
Epinephrine is not indicated for regular bee stings but if a horse has an a systemic allergic reaction to a sting it is rational therapy. For more on recognizing and treating see, Equine Diseases » Respiratory System » Anaphylactic Shock.
Though antihistimines may be used for local reactions they should not substitute for epinephrine and steroids for serious reactions. For dosages see, Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Overview of Scratching & Rubbing.
DrO
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Member:
Chohler
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 2, 2005 - 1:46 pm:
MSG can still be found in meat tenderizer. It is also in bullion, and season all. You just have to check the labels. Or if you live near a restaraunt supply it can be purchased in jars or by the pound.
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Member:
Dakota04
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 3, 2005 - 12:52 pm:
From what I understand, this is to be a year of higher than normal bee populations (at least here in the NW) due to our very mild winter and early spring. I'll try mixing the season all into a paste and carrying it with me on the trail.
Dakota had one small new sore on his fetlock yesterday, however, I'm not sure it's from the same problem as the rest. The site on his chest that I thought was going to develop seems to be going away. The rest of them are healing over well and not as itchy.
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