(10) - Equine Food Intolerance

Question 1

1. Allergic reactions to foods are believed to be caused by multiple immunologic mechanisms, including what hypersensitivities?
2. Clinical signs are classically year-round but, they can be seasonal if the animal is receiving the
   offending substance at one particular time of the year.
3. In horses with tail rubbing the differential diagnosis should include insect hypersensitivity, chorioptic mange, pinworm infestation, lice and stable vice.

Answer 1

1. 1, 2, 4

Question 2

1. Definitive diagnosis can only be made by doing what?

Answer 2

1. performing an elimination trial diet

(A restricted diet, prepared based on a careful dietary history, should be fed for a period of 4 weeks)

If a significant decrease in pruritus is noted during the trial, the animal should be fed the suspected
foodstuff for 3 to 7 days.

(If that food is the allergen, pruritus should recur.)

(Treatment consists of removing the offending food, supplement, or additive from the diet. )