Can you give a horse-human Benadryl?
Summary. Over-the-counter diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or comparable antihistamines can be used in an emergency for horses with severe hypersensitivity or allergy. Prolonged use is not advised. There is no literature to support the use of diphenhydramine in horses.
What antihistamines are safe for horses?
Antihistamines are often prescribed for the allergic horse as a safer alternative to steroids for long term control of symptoms. The most common antihistamine we choose is hydroxyzine, but other options include doxepin, amitriptyline, chlorpheniramine, and diphenhydramine.
What can you give horses for allergies?
Your veterinarian can prescribe several medications to calm an allergic response. Dexamethasone or other corticosteroids are effective for treating severe reactions. If your horse is only moderately itchy or has hives, antihistamines can be useful.
Does Benadryl make horses sleepy?
Antihistamines: Many owners (on the advice/approval of their veterinarians) use over-the-counter Benadryl for control of allergy problems such as hives (usual dose around 500 mg). However, Benadryl or its generic equivalent, diphenhydramine, can cause excessive drowsiness.
Can I give my horse Piriton?
These are a safe medication for horses (they do not have the same risk of laminitis as with steroid use) but have limited effectiveness. Piriton is one of the most commonly used anti-histamine. These are a very effective drug when used topically or in tablet form.
How do I stop my horse from sweet itching?
5 ways to prevent sweet itch
- Stable your horse during peak biting hours. Culicoides spp.
- Keep your horse covered. One way to reduce bites is to keep a fly sheet on your horse during insect season.
- Use fly-control products.
- Restrict your herd’s access to marshy areas.
- Try over-the-counter products.
What is hydroxyzine used for in horses?
Hydroxyzine (brand names: Atarax®, Vistaril®, Masmoran®, Multipax®) is an antihistamine used to treat allergic and itchy conditions or as a sedative/tranquilizer. Its use in cats, dogs, ferrets, horses, and birds to treat itchiness is ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’.
How much Piriton Can you give a horse?
The dose of Piriton is 20 tablets for an average 500kg horse, but this normally makes them very sleepy. Other antihistamines, such as Atarax, are less sedative, but generally antihistamines are rarely used in horses.
Do horses suffer from hayfever?
Symptoms of hayfever in horses
Pollen allergies are very common in horses (mostly very old or very young horses). Unlike humans, however, the symptoms will manifest more like flu symptoms than hayfever.
How do you treat hayfever in horses?
Treatment and prevention
Other ways to manage this respiratory problem are using items such as pollen nets or face masks to help ease the coughing, head shaking and nose itching. On days where the pollen count is extreme, consider not taking your horse out or go near the offending pollen.
Does apple cider vinegar help sweet itch?
Give the horse apple cider vinegar or garlic.
You might also be able to help prevent sweet itch by feeding your horse certain foods. The idea is to change the smell of the horse’s sweat so that midges aren’t attracted – and won’t bite. You might try mixing adding apple cider vinegar to the horse’s feed, for instance.
Can you use calamine lotion on horses?
“In my experience calamine lotion is well tolerated by horses and can be helpful in decreasing the distress felt by horses suffering from the condition. However, it is a treatment and not prevention i.e. it will not stop the flies biting.”
What is summer itch in horses?
Summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (SSRD), commonly called sweet itch or summer itch, is caused by a horse’s allergic reaction to the saliva of a biting gnat known as the Culicoides midge. Many people refer to them as “no-see-ums.” These bothersome fellows are active from April through October.
