Urticaria
Urticaria in Horses or Nettle Rash
About Urticaria
Urticaria in a horse is simply an allergic reaction of the skin to
- 1.Items in the diet
- Irritants such as stinging nettles (nettle rash) or some shampoos
- Flybites
- Or sometimes certain drugs (e.g. antibiotics).
Should I call my vet?
…Call your vet if:
- The head becomes swollen
- If fluid is leaking from the skin
- Your horse appears worried by the condition
- There is no improvement after one day
- If the condition appears to be a reaction to drugs. Your vet will probably treat the condition with antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs. Be careful with your horses diet and avoid barley and high energy foods. Just feed a bran mash at first with perhaps Epson salts. If the problem is related to something in the food 5 days of Psyllium may be useful to clean the bowels out.
How to avoid the condition of Urticaria
- Try and pinpoint what is actually causing the problem and of course avoid it
- Get rid of irritants in the field such as stinging nettles
- Protect your horse from flies.
Test new skin products on a small area of skin first and be careful of detergents you use for cleaning rugs etc.
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