9.16.2016

nemo & allergies

It's mid September, allergies should be gone. But they are not, and neither is our endless rain...sigh.
 
Today is the last application of a ten day course of the latest treatment attempt to help Nemo with his allergy symptoms, Equiwinner patches. I don't fully understand how electrolyte patches help allergies, other then balancing systems, but apparently they do. Just not Nemo.

We also are trying a new mask called Guardian Horse Mask. I came across them while doing online research. From everything I've read, they are very helpful for horses struggling with light and affected eyes. A horse mask with sunglasses, who knew??! These masks are all handmade, and the company has been great to work with. Jury is still out if it is making a difference for Nemo.

 
For several years, we've tried various courses off/on of Dexamethasone. Most years it's worked like magic. This year he initially showed some improvement, but it didn't come close to clearing symptoms up. We gave Cyproheptadine a whirl (along with Dex) it didn't work at all. He is currently off both. Brad hauled him to the vet to get his nose & throat scoped, nothing was found out of the ordinary. I have seasonal allergies myself, and know they are ever changing.

Nemo is double masked. We added a nose piece, and have limited his turnout during sunny days. Of course night only turnout is a possibility. It doesn't really solve the problem and puts him out of his regular lifestyle. We are less then thrilled about the idea in general.

Brad hasn't been able to ride him for weeks, not even indoors. Would like him to try some type of nose band to apply gentle pressure. Some folks are having success making them out of panty hose. Nemo is so unhappy he even bit his beloved human in his stall, while Brad was giving him some hay. So uncharacteristic. It's only happened once before. When he was a yearling walking in the pasture, testing Brad. Thought maybe Nemo just missjudged, but guess it was deliberate. I am sure Nemo was sending a message, he feels left out, and crummy. I know most horses don't care, but Nemo is one of those horses who visibly would rather not share his human. It was naughty, and really made his owner mad. I do think Nemo knows we are trying to help him. He puts his big head in our hands, looking for rubs & relief. Even with me.

Our vet has mentioned he thinks Nemo is allergic to something growing in the pastures. We think so too. It's a tough balance when Nemo prefers to be outside. All we can hope for is winter, and eventually moving him to our new home. The new location might not solve a darn thing. However it will allows us to manage the pastures and his care ourselves.

We are in the process of finding out what to try next, from our vet. Thankfully there are other options. I plan to look further into natural alternative's, most likely to try when we bring him home.

I found a very informative vet's website that has been compiling research on Head Shaking, altho much doesn't apply to Nemo and his allergies, some does. He falls under the Photic Headshaking section: http://www.headshakerinfo.org/

 
Suggestions on what has worked for others are welcome. 


4 comments:

C-ingspots said...

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry to hear he's still suffering with everything. How sad! He must be absolutely miserable to be acting out, and missing out on so much. Poor Nemo...Usually if dex doesn't work, then prednisolone won't, but it's considered safer for long term use. Have you guys considered an allergist? Might be spendy, but if you got some answers, maybe you would better know how to proceed. I'm so sorry. Has to leave you feeling helpless.
I checked into those Guardian masks several years ago for Harley, our blind horse. Was hoping we could find something for protection from his bashing into things. It still happens, but it's rarely. He has adjusted quite well, all things considered...(Missy).

aurora said...

I didn't know horse allergists existed, will look into it. Thanks for the suggestion Lorie!

Grey Horse Matters said...

Poor guy, he must feel miserable. I hope when he moves to his new home he will feel better with you managing the pastures. Allergies are hard to deal with. It might help if you could pinpoint exactly what he's allergic to. Maybe an allergist could help with that. I'm just throwing ideas out because I really don't know if there are such things for horses. I wish you luck in helping him I'm sure it's very frustrating trying to find a way to make him feel better.

Shirley said...

I googled some natural allergy treatments. Here are some links
http://www.thenaturalvet.net/Allergies-Itchy-Skin-And-Other-Icky-Stuff_ep_56.html
And this one, which I found quite interesting
http://holistichorse.com/equine-therapy/allergies-in-horses/

Sorry, I don't know how to do a live link in comments but you can cut and paste.
Hope the poor guy feels better soon!