tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post7636151194927146355..comments2023-05-27T11:53:06.487-04:00Comments on Memoirs of a Horse Girl: Equine Health Report: Allergy ShotsValhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-31540543787419554682012-08-08T07:56:12.384-04:002012-08-08T07:56:12.384-04:00Thanks, Mary.Thanks, Mary.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-21435109283349962362012-08-08T02:59:52.662-04:002012-08-08T02:59:52.662-04:00Oh my gosh, reading this has brought tears to my e...Oh my gosh, reading this has brought tears to my eyes, not only for Harley, but for you, knowing how much you adore him. To have him going through those coughing fits must be nothing short of an awful helpless feeling. I know you are on the right track. I am glad he is a big boy about getting those shots, (and you too, by the way) I think he knows it is good for him. Maybe he will need a humidifier in his stall for winter. Sending all my positive thoughts to Harley.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04068684611506771719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-84222607227958294942012-08-07T12:51:57.865-04:002012-08-07T12:51:57.865-04:00The lungs ARE precious!
Respiratory health is so...The lungs ARE precious! <br />Respiratory health is so important. I am more aware of this than ever. <br /><br />I am definitely in favor of 24/7 turnout and limited exercise in indoor arenas to limit dust intake. I have heard good things about MSM, as it reduces inflammation, but I am not sure if the breathing supplement containing MSM has made any difference for Harley. Clear condensation in the nose is not a big deal, but colorful mucus definitely is.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-5216314096012055102012-08-07T12:46:55.722-04:002012-08-07T12:46:55.722-04:00Immunotherapy has definitely come a long way. Som...Immunotherapy has definitely come a long way. Some people partake in self-exposure by supplementing their diet with "bee pollen" for seasonal allergies (not sure how well that works). I am allergic to cats, but my body became tolerant of my own cats when I lived with them for nearly 15 years. All other cats (and dogs) make me sneeze, though! My vet went through intensive immunotherapy in vet school when she discovered that she is allergic to many animals including horses!<br /><br />If the head-shaking is caused by allergies, than I would say "yes" the immunotherapy could make a difference. Negative side-effects are rare, so other than the cost and commitment, there is not much risk in trying. I much prefer this route to steroids, which suppress the immune system. You should mention it to your friend, for sure.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-64309552322635003222012-08-07T12:41:01.650-04:002012-08-07T12:41:01.650-04:00I have read about some horrendous problems that ho...I have read about some horrendous problems that horses can have with chronic hives and head-shaking. I think that allergies are a more serious problem than is readily obvious.<br /><br />Me too!Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-7642623416597455382012-08-07T12:39:41.590-04:002012-08-07T12:39:41.590-04:00Will try not to get discouraged, but it is much ea...Will try not to get discouraged, but it is much easier when things are good. You know?Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-91134449486129296322012-08-07T11:48:33.487-04:002012-08-07T11:48:33.487-04:00Sounds like you are right on top of it. I'm su...Sounds like you are right on top of it. I'm sure it could vary season to season so don't get discouraged. :) Isn't it sometimes insane the work ethic these babies have???Kristen Eleni Shellenbargerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01458744919530540978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-48493126062570315722012-08-07T05:54:57.448-04:002012-08-07T05:54:57.448-04:00I am glad you blogged about this. I had very littl...I am glad you blogged about this. I had very little idea! I assume he had skin allergies, not respiratory problems. How heat breaking for you.<br /><br />I hope he continues to cope well.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15121469297442797836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-13844982718069631342012-08-07T04:24:01.504-04:002012-08-07T04:24:01.504-04:00Hi Val, that's all really interesting. I didn...Hi Val, that's all really interesting. I didn't know immunotherapy had progressed so much. Do you know if it can help with head-shaking too? My friend's horse started this two years ago and is getting progressively worse.Martinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14496995504975297110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-41514333192190842192012-08-06T20:27:35.306-04:002012-08-06T20:27:35.306-04:00:):)Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-83307241004669798472012-08-06T20:26:37.172-04:002012-08-06T20:26:37.172-04:00Oh, that is interesting. Thanks!Oh, that is interesting. Thanks!Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-49435970609200782232012-08-06T20:25:35.306-04:002012-08-06T20:25:35.306-04:00That is fortunate!That is fortunate!Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-30206882147242942332012-08-06T18:14:07.090-04:002012-08-06T18:14:07.090-04:00It sounds like his injections are working and you&...It sounds like his injections are working and you're doing all the right things for him. I'm glad he seems to be feeling better and has learned how to stretch his neck to cough. Harley seems to know that you are trying to help him, what a smart boy.Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-3850992259400097242012-08-06T17:13:36.066-04:002012-08-06T17:13:36.066-04:00Sounds like you have all the bases covered Val. I ...Sounds like you have all the bases covered Val. I hope Harley's allergies improve (disappear entirely!) with his allergy shots.<br /><br />Having had to give my Val shots for years now, I'll share one suggestion I got from his vet. Piercing the top of the vial to load the syringe dulls the needle significantly. If you change needle tips after the syringe is loaded it will be a more comfortable injection. <br /><br />Wishing you the best outcome for Harley!!Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-28279695879692254682012-08-06T16:01:29.077-04:002012-08-06T16:01:29.077-04:00I'm glad the shots are working and that you ar...I'm glad the shots are working and that you are able to give them. Fortunately for me, Brett is very comfortable with giving shots so he gets the "privilege" of administering Flash's monthly Adequan shots and any other injections that crop up.Oak Creek Ranchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-74080292199167404462012-08-06T15:59:54.563-04:002012-08-06T15:59:54.563-04:00Thanks for your support, Karen.
I will keep you ...Thanks for your support, Karen. <br /><br />I will keep you posted and hopefully it will be more good news. I just couldn't bear to write about it when there was so much uncertainty.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-7540939784449278112012-08-06T13:36:00.365-04:002012-08-06T13:36:00.365-04:00Thanks for sharing your experience, Val. There ar...Thanks for sharing your experience, Val. There are probably lots of owners out there who do not know what to do about it. Being an allergy sufferer myself, I feel for Harley. I do many of the same things for myself that you do for Harley, not wetting my feed of course, although I frequently need a drink to get rid of the dry cough!<br /><br />Speedy is also bothered a bit by the dust. I hose his still down frequently and ALWAYS water the arena before riding. He gives one to two coughs at the start of nearly every ride, but once he gets it out, he's done with it. It was interesting to hear that you and your teacher needed to teach Harley to stretch down to get that "clear your lungs" cough. That's how I know Speedy's cough is coming; he begs to hang his head low so that he can really get it out.<br /><br />I hope that the therapy does its job and gives Harley the relief he needs. Keep us posted on his progress. :0)Bakersfield Dressagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05571487914424695283noreply@blogger.com