This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Respiratory System » Chronic Cough Without Fever »
  Discussion on Upper & lower respiratory ailment
Author Message

Posted on Saturday, Jun 1, 2002 - 2:36 pm:

6 yr. old race mare that loves her job has been diagonissed with upper & lower resp. problem. Several days ago (two days after she ran - she ran poorly and stopped 1/2 way through the race after leading all the way) she was scoped and in the middle of the procedure, a wash of fluid that at first was clear, then discolored came out of her nose (blew out) and then clear stuff squired out of her eye. The vet pulled out the scope and suggested we take the horse to a vet hospital for a more in depth scoping, it was suspected that there may be a gutteral pouch infection.

She was tken to the hospital and re-scoped. Vet determined there was no gutteral pouch infection. Her arteroid function was abnormal on the left side, she is hemiparetic and assymeteric. There was mucous from the lungs, which the vet thought was consistent with bronchiolitis (bronchitis), allergic airway disease. It was determined that she was not a condidate for a tie back due to the amount of function she has on the left side. The following approach has been suggested: treat with bronchodialators (Torpex, albuterol) and Azium. Stop 24 hrs. prior to race day. Use a tounge tie (which we already do).

Several things that concern me is that we are suspect of a possible infection in the lungs, and that we should be treating that. The vet however insists it is mucus. She has no temp, but is also not acting with the same vigor as she usually does. She was on top of the world and full of herself, until race day. She was too quiet and calm, but we did not suspect that she was sick or not feeling well.

Should we be proactive in treating a possible infection or secondary infection? She does show signs of some sort of discharge at the nose, it is a white / green substance. Not a lot, but it can be wiped off once or twice a day. She eats good, is usually lively in the morning. When excerised, she may cough once or twice afterwards, but she seems fine. Her stall has always been watered down from any dust, her hay sprayed as well. We have misters in the shed row to keep dust to a minimum.

We are puzzled at a couple of things, first what could have squirted out her eye when scoped the first time? It was clear and definitely squirted. What could have also gushed out her nose when scoped the first time? Could she have had a cist or an obstruction that caused that?

I also have so many questions on the drug therapy. There is no info. on the internet on Torpex equine(albuterol) inhaler. I know it exists because I have it and am treating her with it. I wonder if Ventipulmin (liquid oral) would be more agressive, the recommended dosage seems to be higher than that of the inhaler. We also have to be legal for testing (in most states these are legal to use and run with on race day). We suspect that we could be more aggressive than what we are doing. We are feeling that we should treat for a possible infection with antibotics, treat the allergies with Ventipulmin syrup (4 cc two times a day for three days) then switch to the Torpex inhaler, two puffs once a day (120 mcg per puff of albuterol sulfate) and stay with the Azium. Stop everything 24 hrs. prior to race day. It is so hard to get any information from creditable people. Thank you for your consideration. I do not want to overdose or underdose, but I do want to aggressivly treat her. She has so much heart and loves her job. My first concern is for her - not winning. Help!

Posted on Sunday, Jun 2, 2002 - 8:14 am:

Hello MG,
No you should not be using antibiotics when there is no clear evidence of such infection. Most inflammatory lower air way diseases without fever are not infectious in nature, for more information of this see, Equine Diseases: Respiratory System: Chronic Lower Airway.

I admit to being absolutely clueless as to what squirted out of her eye. I suspect that tears became trapped in a fornix of the eye and where suddenly released, similar to what some kids learn to do with their tongue and saliva. I do not think this has any significance as a isolated one time event. Not having seen what gushed out the nose I do not know what that was either. IF there are no abnormalities on a thorough endoscopic and radiographic examination of the skull I would not worry about this either.

We have some scientific summaries of the use of albuterol as a inhaler, see the article referenced above for them. There are few (in fact only one that I can find) studies on the effectiveness of the treatment as researchers seem more interested in the effects on healthy horses. Clenbuterol is better studied.

Currently there are 4 distinct mechanisms of chronic lower respiratory disease. They are diagnosed by the cytology of a broncho-alveolar-lavage and each has its own recommended treatment. Again see the article referenced above for diagnosis and treatment.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC