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Discussion on COPD & ANTIHISTIMINES
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New Member:
suse
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 25, 2007 - 8:56 pm:
Dear Dr. Oglesby:
In Nov.2006, we purchases a 12 yr. old gelding with COPD. He was born at the farm where my daughter takes riding lessons, but was sold to a former student 6 years ago. He has been housed outside for those six years. Unfortunately the owner could not ride anymore, and and so we purchased him and brought him back "home". We knew at the time of purchase that he was suffering from this disease, proceded to research it, so that we can know what we are dealing with. The owner of his home barn is a wonderful 75 yr. old woman who can outchore the best of us! However, her heart is so kind that she had a difficult time leaving Melarky outside. We have persisted, and keep educating, but our compromise consists of him coming inside the barn for grain - (4 hrs/day?) and on very, very cold or wet nights. He has a wonderful shelter outside - but when he doesn't prefer to use it, this causes concern to the owner. We are treated like family at this farm, and so our predicament is sensitive. Our goal is to keep the horse healthy (obviously), for as long as we can, and at the least, a trail ride; the most - hopefully showing at recognized level. (He's a very regal Gray Arabian and would be a shame not to show him). Do you have any suggestions outside of the "norm" - ie he receives Prednisolone; Ventipulman (spelling?) and Sputilycin as per vet instructions when required . He also receives some herbal remedies such as Garlic, and a product called "Breathe" - (proven to be effective in clinical trials in U of Guelph, here in S.W. Ontario). However, due to even the brief exposure to the allergens in the barn , it only takes a little while before he begins coughing again. I am looking for any recommendations re: antihistimines etc. that you might think would help. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Susan S.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jan 26, 2007 - 7:16 am:
Welcome Susan CS,
We describe all the medications that we think are helpful in the COPD article including antihistamines. But these medications are ameliorative of acute clinical signs and do not prevent the chronic damage. The only effective drug at slowing down progress of the disease may be the glucocorticoids (Dex and prednisolone) so you could try higher or more frequent dosing but I believe that until the pony is no longer exposed to dust the disease will be slowly progressive and exposure will shorten up his life.
DrO
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Member:
freshman
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 27, 2007 - 12:36 am:
I can understand your predictament with the barn owner and can see how you are reluctant to hurt her feelings by pushing the issue at hand.
However, it is obvious that her "kindness" is not serving this horse's best interest. I wonder if you could discourage her inclination by including her in the veterinarian's recommendation to leave the horse outside in all circumstances, perhaps by making a file folder for her that includes copies of the discharge instructions that outline the COPD condition, treatment rec's, and even warnings about indoor confinement written by your vet. If your vet hasn 't provided these things, ask him to do so. You can also make sure to post your horses feeding and treament instructions, even posting you vet's warnings about exposing the horse to indoor environments, visibly in the barn, including a large notation/sign that says that "MELARKEY CANNOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE BARN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES" or "MELARKEY IS FEED OUTSIDE--2 SCOOPS SENIOR FEED IN PAN AM & PM, SOAKED HAY ONLY" or something to that effect.
Good luck in getting your barn owner to comply with what your horse needs. Including her in the "treatment" might encourage her to do so.
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Member:
jmarie
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 27, 2007 - 9:53 am:
You are in a pickle! Would the barn owner consider switching your horse's bedding to Woody Pet? I've seen it work wonders for horses whose COPD is barn-dust related. If you offer to pay for the bedding up front--it takes, I understand, about 4 bags to start a stall, then a bag or so a week depending on how much the horse is in the stall--she might find she likes it better than the dustier bedding. She could happily leave your horse in without causing him distress, and the onus would be off you for causing her distress.
I have the opposite problem. My mare has pasture heaves, responds well to seasonal antihistamines and year-round daily Respion liquid. She's best off during the height of allergy season if I leave her in her stall at night. My barn slaves, however, feel sorry for her when she's cooped up and insist on setting her free to wheeze and cough in the great outdoors. Sometimes there's just no convincing people that their good intentions are misdirected. 
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New Member:
suse
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 27, 2007 - 10:36 am:
Thank you for your time and advice Dr. Oglesby. It is invaluable - keeps us grounded to persist through this. Also thank you to everyone's reply. Your experiences lend information and support that we all need at times.
Sincerely,
Susan CS.
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