How To Treat A Horse With Hives
Introduction
Horses are majestic creatures, but they’re also prone to hives. You may have seen hives on a human before, but did you know horses can get them too? Hives on horses are caused by the same things that cause hives in humans: insect bites, pollen, or medications. They aren’t typically serious and usually go away within 24 hours. However, sometimes they can be a symptom of a more serious allergic reaction or even shock from an insect bite. If you suspect your horse is having an allergic reaction of any kind, call your vet right away! Otherwise, if you’re confident that your horse just has regular old hives, follow these steps to help make it more comfortable while the hives heal:
What causes hives in horses?
Hives can be caused by a number of different factors. Some common causes include:
- An allergic reaction to something the horse has eaten or inhaled. Hives are usually localized to the face and neck, though they can also appear on other parts of the body. The hives generally worsen when the area is scratched, and they go away once exposure ends.
- A type of infection known as strangles, which affects horses’ throats and lungs causing coughing, fever and breathing problems (source).
In some cases, however – especially if you’re unsure what’s causing your horse’s hives – it’s best just to see your vet for further evaluation (source).
What are some symptoms of a horse with hives?
Hives are red, raised, itchy bumps on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common around the muzzle and genitals. The affected area may also be swollen and scaly.
Symptoms of a horse with hives include swelling of the skin, itching and hives (redness). The affected area may also be red or white in appearance (raised), discolored (flaky or scaling), flaking/scaling/peeling (cracking), scabbing over time if not treated properly.
How do you treat a horse that has broken out in hives?
You should keep the horse calm and quiet, keep them in a cool area, and make sure they have plenty of fresh water. It’s also a good idea to remove any plants or insect stings that may have caused the hives. Don’t allow other horses near your horse while they’re dealing with an allergic reaction because it can easily spread between them.
If you suspect that there are any plants that cause allergies in your horse, try removing those plants from their environment completely until you figure out what is causing this issue. Be careful when handling or grooming these animals as well!
Hives on horses can be treated, but if your horse is having an allergic reaction or is in shock from a bee sting, call the vet immediately.
If you suspect your horse is having an allergic reaction or is in shock from a bee sting, call the vet immediately. If you suspect it’s just hives, you can treat them at home.
If your horse has hives, you will want to provide him with plenty of water and keep him cool until his body temperature returns to normal. Provide plenty of shade as well. In addition, try giving him some antihistamines to help with any itching he may be experiencing–even though his symptoms won’t go away right away (and probably won’t ever), this will make them more bearable for both of you!
Conclusion
Remember that there are many different causes and treatments for the hives. If your horse is showing symptoms of hives, try to determine the cause before treating it yourself. You can always take your horse to a veterinarian if you are unsure of how to proceed.