My horse got into a hornet's nest??

Question

today after i was finished working with my 4 yr old appaloosa i took her to my backyard to let her graze & she got into a hornets nest that was in a cedar tree. i knew it was there but didn't think she would get near it since there isn't good grass around the tree. but she did some how and my dad said she was running around the backyard and he let her out and she ran straight to the barn & put her up.. then i went to see her & she was stung at least five times & when i would rub my hand over one she would set back & i notice that under her right eye it looked line her vein was swollen & her left i looked normal...i wasn't as worried about the stings as i was that..has anyone had that happen before?

and are there many horses allergic to bees??

and if so what are symptoms???

and is there anything i could do to ease the pain for her??

Answer 1

Sorry about that.That is very sad because i love horses.I dont know what to tell you but maybe call the vet  because that may be serious and dont wait until it is to LATE.

Answer 2

call the vet

Answer 3

I have had a similar experience with my horse getting stung by a bee. It was a few years ago and he had a few hornets get up under his cooler when he was in the cross ties. They stung him quite a bit and he fell backwards and wouldnt get up. I finally got him up and he laid down in his stall. I called the vet but he said he was booked with emergencies that whole day was booked for the next. I had to find some Bute to give him to ease the pain.

I would call the vet if her eye gets any worse, she might be having a pretty good reaction to the stings. If you have any i would give her some bute and then possibly call the vet tommorow and see if he/she reccommends any thing.

Answer 4

Ice it and put neosporin on it. That will make it feel less bad. My pony ogt stung on the mouth once. Also call your vet to see what he says...

Answer 5

i would call the vet

Answer 6

You can also use rubbing alcohol...

Simply soak cotton balls or gauze with it and cover the stings.  Not with the cotton balls or gauze...with the rubbing alcohol...It will reduce swelling and take away alot of the sting and 'itching' that will be coming next in the next couple of days.

This also works for humans who have been stung by a wasp.  I use it all the time...

Answer 7

this could turn very serious if not corrected properly, please call your vet!

Answer 8

A little Bute and a med called "Tri Hist" which is a anti histamine which you get from your vet; should make her a lot more comfortable.  Will keep the swelling and itchies down.  

An overly sensitive horse will have hives from the venom in addition to the stings...a call to the vet ASAP is appropriate.  A cool shower will help your horse out with particular attention paid to the hive area....lots of cool water on those.  

A "red flag" is a horse who is experiencing shortness of breath after a sting or multiple stings from hornets, bees, wasps, or spider bites.....An immediate call to the vet or make a liquid mix of Tri Hist and water placed in your horse's mouth with a needle less syringe...make sure your horse swallows this mixture..... anaphyaltic shock can kill a horse (inability to breathe).

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/horse-h...

Answer 9

the worrisome thing is that in an allergic response, sometimes swelling in the airways can prevent breathing....it usually  doesn't happen the first time a horse is stung, but the second time, the immune response is worse.  The vet can provide antihistamines and pain relievers as needed to reduce the swelling and inflammation, and block the pain.