Dexamethasone can be given IV, IM and the solution can even be given orally (it is absorbed quite well from the GI tract). In an emergency case of hives or wheals in which you cannot contact your vet, you could give 1cc per 100 lbs (of the 2mg/ml strength) by either IM or oral route.
How much Dex do I give my horse?
Equine – DEXAMETHASONE INJECTION 2 mg/mL – 2.5 to 5 mg intravenously or intramuscularly . Dexamethasone Powder may be administered or the parenteral dose repeated as needed.
How do you treat a horse with hives?
How are hives treated? Many cases of urticaria resolve in 24-72 hours. Other cases may resolve only to reoccur, while others will persist. For acute cases (seen by your veterinarian in the first 24 hours) a single administration of a short-acting corticosteroid will usually resolve the lesions.
Can I give my horse Benadryl for hives?
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. You are using this product at your own risk.
How long does it take dexamethasone to work in horses?
Dexamethasone per os was effective within 6 h with peak effect at 24 h at a dose of 0.164 mg/kg bwt prior to feeding. The duration of effect was, for all dexamethasone treatments, statistically significant for 30 h when compared to saline and tended to have a longer duration of effect when used orally.
How long does it take for hives to go away on a horse?
Hensel adds, “Hives rarely affect the general health of the horse and usually disappear within one to two days . In such cases, treatment is not necessary. In more severe cases, treatment may be indicated with epinephrine and corticosteroids.”
Why is my horse covered in bumps?
The most common reason that horses develop many small bumps on their skin is allergic hives (urticaria) , but there are other causes that should also be considered. If the bumps appeared very suddenly and are distributed all over the body, it is likely true hives.
Why is my horse breaking out in hives?
The most common causes of hives in horses are insect bites or stings, medications, and exposure to allergens . Other potential causes include vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels of the skin), food allergy, ringworm.
Can I give my horse human antihistamines?
They are generally considered safe , but are of questionable value. Extra-label use of human antihistamines is also common in equine practice. Examples of these medications include hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine, among many others.
Which antihistamine is best for horses?
It is concluded that cetirizine in doses of 0.2-0.4 mg/kg bw administered at 12 h intervals exhibits favourable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties without causing visible side effects, and the drug may therefore be a useful antihistamine in equine medicine.
How long does it take for dexamethasone to work?
There was a growing trend to a lower croup score in the dexamethasone group, evident from 10 min and statistically significant from 30 min. Conclusion: For children with croup an oral dose of 0.15 mg/kg dexamethasone offers benefit by 30 min, much earlier than the 4 h suggested by the Cochrane Collaboration.
How many days can you give a horse dexamethasone?
“They should only be given for seven to 10 days at a time .” Using a two-week study cycle with a two-week washout period, researchers administered dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP, a more soluble formulation of DXM), to six Thoroughbred horses (ages 6-10).
Does Bute calm a horse down?
It’s important to remember that bute – indeed, any NSAID – will not fix anything. It will reduce inflammation and therefore pain , and make the horse more comfortable while its injury or problem heals. Often, the reduction in inflammation will help the healing.
What can I give my horse for allergies?
Your veterinarian can prescribe several medications to calm an allergic response
What can I give my horse for itching?
Treatment: Antihistamines or corticosteroids may help ease the itch and inflammation, providing relief to the itchy horse; antibiotics or antimicrobial shampoos can help prevent secondary infections. Pentoxifylline can be used to decrease skin reactivity, and in some cases allergy serum is worth trying.
Can horses have seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies in horses are rare , but they are more common in geographic regions where people are often affected grassy, flowery areas, rather than drier landscapes. Seasonal allergies typically go away with the passage of time and changes in the local environment.
