hives

Hi everyone,
I have this lovely TB mare (14 years old). She has developed hives. They were all over her body. Her legs filled up and she felt awful. I was giving her 15 tabs of Benedryl to try and avoid Dex. Finally, I had to call the vet. The vet came out gave her a steroid shot and put her on a schedule of Dex. She took blood and gave me antibiotics just in case it got worse with the Dex. Never had to give her the antibiotics, but as soon as we go down to 2 tabs of Dex it comes back strong. I have taken her off the grass and just hay. Bathing doesn't help. This has been going on 2 weeks. I don't want to keep giving her Dex as she could founder on it. Even on 3 tabs a day she has hives. Help.

What does your vet say at this point? In people hives can recur from the original exposure for 6 weeks..not sure if equines are the same (meaning that its possible the dex is quieting the immune system but when its not there strong enough...the immune system is still reacting to the original exposure)

I spoke with the vet on Friday, she said after increasing back to 3 Dex tabs to now decrease as it isn't good for the mare to be on Dex. The hives are now like little bumps with crusties on under them. Her hind legs are solid scurvies and bleed when you pick them off. Nothing on her face. She wears a fly mask. Wonder if bugs are the allergy? Hmmm. Some of the hives are more like fingers. Originally it was large patches of hives.

sounds risky for secondary infection which is why the antibiotics...did she say to give them?
Poor baby sounds miserable!
Really hard to tell what an allergic rx is from ...by the time the symptoms are visible many times the stimulus is gone
Sending healing vibes

Thanks for the healing vibes -- I know, it could be bugs or a weed. The year has been so dry the pastures are sprouting weeds when the grasses get eaten down.

SHe really IS miserable, poor girl....and I have never seen anything more covered in hives....they really do go in lines, especially on her belly and neck, seemingly. But now the total crusties everywhere. WE are bathing her in gentle shampoos, even tried the microtek at one point. Careful to use only organic fly spray, and even, as of today I think were going to switch and try Skin so soft and hope that was gentler. We really are running out of ideas, and hate to see her like this. PLus, frankly, she has a history of some hives at times since I have known her, but this is the worst....I am afraid that like people the allergies are getting worse? Does that happen in horses too? WE are really scratching our heads here.

Yes!
Over time, IgE antibody levels rise in the blood
In response to a horse’s continued allergen
Exposure....basically every time there is an allergic reaction the bodies immune system is primed and ready to react the next time...very similar to an asthmatic.
Have you changed anything recently, bedding, feed bags that might have dust mites, feed? Might be a trigger.

That is what I was afraid of.