What are Allergies?

An allergic reaction is one in which an individual reacts to normal substance in the environment. These substances are called allergens and include pollens, molds, animal hair, insects, foods and many more. Allergens cause reactions through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion. Allergic individuals possess IgE antibodies to the specific allergens. These antibodies cause biochemical changes in the body which produce signs and symptoms of allergy.

When will my horse's allergy symptoms begin

This depends on the cause of the horse's allergy problems. If it has an allergy to pollens, you might expect to see all or more of the symptoms in the spring or summer. If, however, the horse has a problem with molds or food related allergies, you are more likely to see year-round symptoms.

How does a horse show signs of allergy?

The most common manifestations of horse allergies are through a group of symptoms collectively known as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Symptoms include persistent coughing, often accompanied by audible wheezing and/or a watery nasal discharge. As the disease progresses, flaring of the nostrils may become more evident. Work performance can be impaired to varying degrees. It is also not uncommon for allergic horses to show signs of skin irritation.

How can my horse's allergies be diagnosed?

After a thorough examination, your veterinarian will decide if allergy testing is indicated for your horse. Having ruled out other possible maladies, a small amount of blood may be drawn and sent to Spectrum Labs for diagnostic evaluation. There, your horse's serum will be tested for sensitivity to inhalants such as trees, grasses, weeds and shrubs, molds, oat, wheat, barley and corn pollens, barn dust, as well as for a host of food types used as ingredients in commercial horse food preparations.

How are allergies treated?

The best form of treatment for allergies is avoidance of the offending allergen/s. In most cases, however this is no possible. Steroid and other drugs are often used for short-term relief of symptoms, but prolonged use of these drugs can have serious side effects. Hyposensitization is another alternative. In this case, treatment sets are formulated for your horse based on its allergy test results. The treatment is comprised of the same allergens to which the horse tested sensitive. This stimulated the immune system to produce antibodies that bind to the allergens, thus blocking the start of an allergic reaction. The treatment (injections) are given in increasing concentrations. This builds the tolerance of the animal to the offending allergens so that it can live more comfortably in its environment ... without the worry of side effects and often impaired performance.

How effective is this form of treatment?

Some allergies dissipate with time and treatment. In other cases animals may require continued "allergy shots" to maintain tolerance to the allergens in question. With adherence to the treatment schedule. one can expect an excellent chance of elimination of or reduced dependence on steroid drugs. Improvement in most cases is seen after 3-5 months of treatment, at which stage injections are given monthly. However, maintaining the horse's response will depend on you, the owner, to adhere to the injection schedule set up by your veterinarian.

What if my horse is allergic to foods?