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  Discussion on Copd and omega three fatty acids
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 18, 2001 - 2:32 pm:

Does anyone have any experience with heavy horses and giving them omega three fatty acids--i.e. flaxseed containing supplements? I have read that omega three fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties in humans and other animals, but have not seen any definative studies in horses. Any ancedotal results? I'm thinking of supplementing my heavy horse this winter when pasture is no longer available. Any response would be appreciated. Jayne

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 18, 2001 - 2:49 pm:

Sorry about the spelling--heavey not heavy in my previous message. Jayne

Posted on Thursday, Nov 1, 2001 - 1:18 pm:

Jayne,

I, too, had read that flaxseed could be of benefit to heavey horses and started my Cisco on it about 6 weeks ago. He does seem to be better, but I say that with reserve because the summer is ending and the change in seasons may be the cause instead of the Omega fatty acids. Still, even if the breathing were not a factor, he now has a beautifully shiny coat and I don't worry about sand colic! (Flax works like psyllium products in clearing sand from the gut.) Let me know if you see any results. Oh, and flax degrades quickly after the seed coat is broken so I grind my fresh each morning. It's not difficult--I keep a coffee grinder by the whole flax seeds, and whirl it for about 30 seconds before dumping it in the feed bucket. :-)
Heather

Posted on Friday, Nov 2, 2001 - 6:30 am:

Though you may or may not find the flax helpful, it should not take the place of good management, see article for details.
DrO

Posted on Friday, Nov 2, 2001 - 2:46 pm:

Dr O.

I've done everything humanly possible as far as management and environmental changes. Nothing is working, so I am still looking for the "miracle." I wrote to you when I first got him about 2 yrs ago and since that time I have taken him completely off hay, pastured 24/7, never goes near a barn/hay/shavings and is on a complete feed that is watered down to settle any dust. I have moved to a new location to see if there were any local weeds bothering him and this next summer I have arranged to board him up in the mountains of NC to see if the cooler weather will help. I can't possibly think of anything else that I could do for the guy.....but I'm always looking for something to make him more comfortable!
Heather

Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2001 - 6:55 am:

Right Heather,
yours is the horse we were discussing last season that sounds like it may have SACOPD. THe horse continues to remain heavy in spite of months of being outside and receiving no hay? On one of your last posts there was a comment that he had still been getting some hay intermittently, has that stopped?
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 15, 2001 - 9:53 am:

Dr. O,
Yes, Cisco has been off hay for many months. He was getting Dengie forage feed (not baled hay) to make up for pasture loss in the winter, but was taken off that in the spring so it has been at least 8 months with no sign of hay.

However, since little improvement occurred and the patures are getting sparse I may start him back on the Dengie forage. It is hay that has been high-temperatured dried to kill spores and vacuum packed to eliminate dust, so hopefully that does not contribute to the problem at all. Unfortunately, Cisco has choked on pellets 3 times so I am taking him off the complete feed and going back to textured feed and the Dengie.

Posted on Friday, Nov 16, 2001 - 7:05 am:

That gives me 3 possible considerations:
1) You may be dealing with permanant damagefrom the COPD.
2) The diagnosis is incorrect.
3) He is still being exposed to the allergins.

All of these questions could be answered with a positive response to long term ADT with prednisolone. The first two would be answered NO and the last ONE yes. Perhaps another thorough exam and discussion of the case with your veterinarian is in order to review possible causes of the allergy.
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 24, 2001 - 2:59 pm:

Heather, thank you for the reply--I am trying my horse on a flax product now that pasture is over--I'll report anything I observe. My horse has been symptom free for some time so I'm not sure what I'll be able to ascertain, but I thought anything that helps regulate his hyperactive immune system should be a good thing.
Also thanks Dr. O. We do try to maintain his environment--outside 24/7 etc. I realize nothing can take the place of appropriate managment of heavey horses, and we have been fortunate that he has responded very well to changes in his enviroment. Jayne

Posted on Saturday, Nov 24, 2001 - 3:30 pm:

Heather, I also meant to say I hope you are having better results with Cisco. It must be very disheartening to try everthing and still have problems. I dont know the latest about the technique, but I remember reading that some horses do well with desensitizing programs, like human allergy shots. If I remember correctly, not all horses responded, but for some the improvement was dramatic. Perhaps Dr.O has something to say on this, or maybe it has been discussed before. In any event, good luck and I hope that the move to NC helps. Jayne

Posted on Monday, Dec 3, 2001 - 9:02 am:

Hello Jayne,
The problem with desensitization programs are many but the bottom line is in double blinded controlled studies there is no difference in outcome between the treatment group and the control groups. Usually there are a few also in the control group, those who receive no active treatment, who remarkably improve too.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Dec 3, 2001 - 12:25 pm:

Dr.O,

I'm not sure what you meant by positive response to ADT of prednisolone---no, no, yes. Do you mean if he is on ADT with a corticosteroid(Dexamethozone is what I have used in the past)and gets better then I DON'T have permanent damage, DON'T have an incorrect diagnosis, yet still have the allergen present?

Also, what would you consider long term ADT or the proper dosage to confirm this. (I use Dex at 2 mg/ml and the horse is 1200lbs) How much at how long to determine this?
Heather

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 4, 2001 - 8:07 am:

If the horse returns to normal on the steroid, then there is no permanant damage, or at least not enough to show clinical signs when all the reversible symptoms are controlled.

Long term is steroid treatment over 6 weeks long. Dxamethasone is not a good ADT agent because it stays in the blood too long. For recommended ADT regimens check out the article.
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Dec 9, 2001 - 5:00 pm:

Heather, as you stated in your post, I don't know if the flax product is helping with the COPD, but my horse has a beautiful coat--especially for a winter coat! He has been taking the flax product for about three weeks. How are things with Cisco?
Dr. O--what put me on giving flax for COPD was an article I read on flaxseed and laminitis in a popular horse journal--and recently I found the article discussed as part of a forum in the nutrition section of horseadvice. The article discussed work by Dr. Herthel (? spelling) and two other researchers. You comented on the article. I have searched for anything further from these researchers and this work but haven't found anything new (I did find website for Platinum Performance-Herthel's product I think). Are you aware of anything new reported by these researchers? Thanks for any info. Jayne

Posted on Sunday, Dec 9, 2001 - 6:59 pm:

LOL Jayne!

Glad you have a nice coat on your horse now! Did you notice any difference in the heaves with it? Cisco is doing alright. Thank you for asking. He just switched pastures because the horses in his old pasture are starting to throw hay next week. So, it's adjustment time again. I got him a new friend, though. A little TB mare to keep him company and for me to ride during the summer so he can take it easy. :-)

Posted on Monday, Dec 10, 2001 - 6:44 am:

No I have not seen anythihg else by them or anyone else on the use of omega-3's with COPD.
DrO
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