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  Discussion on Equine Antihistamines
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Member:
Lamepony

Posted on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 11:46 pm:

Dr. O: Can you explain to me why a vet might suggest using an antihistamine with isoxoprene to treat a lame horse on stall rest? He explained that the isoxoprene would help increase blood circulation but I don't get what the histane (sp?) would do... This was not my regular vet. It was a second opinion from a very well respected rodeo and track vet who says the horse has a soft tissue injury. Both vets agree on this but so far have not isolated exactly where the damage is. I am getting ultra sound on Wednesday. Regular vet says the isoxoprene is fine and gave it to me, but does not understand the antihistamine suggestion either. Have you ever heard of this as a treatment? On bute the horse looks normal but without he goes back to bobbing within 24 hours.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 6:09 am:

Histamines are a component of inflammation so you would think antihistamines might be logical antiinflammatory therapy. But this is generally not true except in the specific cases of allergic disease and some types of respiratory infections. No there is no logic, that I am aware of, in using antihistamine for muscoskeletal injury. I think the work supporting the use of isoxsuprene is weak see Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Miscellaneous Drugs » Isoxsuprine.
DrO
New Member:
ksojerio

Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 11:17 pm:

Dr.O,

My horse has had recurring hives for the last month. My vet thinks that when things stop blooming she will get better. He gave me dexamethasone to treat the eruptions and said I should try an oral antihistamine. On average, she is getting 10cc of dex about every 3-4 day.

I have been feeding a product that contains Pyrilamine Maleate U.S.P. 600 mg but it doesn't seem to prevent the eruptions. After researching your database I find that this is a fairly ineffective drug. Further reading indicates that she might benefit from benedryl. I understand the dosages that you describe, but wonder how long can she stay on benedryl before something adverse happens.

I asked about an interdermal skin test and he said he didn't do them on horses, but could refer me to a clinic 350 miles away! (We are in a very rural area of Arizona.) Would it be beneficial to request blood tests? It seemed to me that your article didn't think they would be very helpful either.

At this point I amk grasping at straws.
Board Administrator
Username: admin

Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2007 - 9:36 am:

Hi bbmother,
If you are not getting a quick response to your question we recommend you start your own post rather than place it at the bottom of someone else's discussion. Perhaps starting a new discussion in the article on Hives would be a good place and you will find it at, Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Bumps / Nodules / Warts / Tumors » Hives, Wheals, and Urticaria in Horses. For more on posting etiquette see, Help & Information » Welcome to The Horseman's Advisor.
admin
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