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Discussion on COPD Gelding making weird exhale noises
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New Member:
Lizziem
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Posted on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 4:13 pm:
My 15 year old paint gelding was diagnosed with COPD over 2 years ago. He had had bouts of coughing and distress. His exhales was some what forces. Especially when he stresses out. We determined it was possibly allergy related and have treated him accordingly. He is good some days, bad others. Recently I noticed odd noises coming from his nostrils. Like burping, or a bit of snorting while he is as rest. I don't really consider it a wheeze. Kinda like when you stomach growls a little. Today, after he ate some carrots, I notices it & seemed to be worse. I put my ear above his shoulder on his neck, and it seemed to originate from their. My ear to his barrel, didn't hear wheezes. After eating, he coughs like he is trying to get stuff out of his throat (he has done this off and on since diagnosis). We was never scoped, since the vet was fairly certain at that time that it wasn't necessary. did tracheal wash and there was lots of mucous. Poor guy. I was wondering if coughing after eating is part of COPD, or a different condition too. I am calling vet tomorrow. I hope he is not choking... what are those symptoms? Thank you, this is my first time to use your site.
Liz from CA
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 8:26 am:
Hello Liz,
While some horses with COPD do cough when they eat it is not possible for me to say if that is true with your horse. With all the upper respiratory noise there may be something going on. If the COPD is worsening perhaps the increase force of trying to breath is causing a problem. My biggest concern is that it does not sound you are successfully managing the COPD. I think you can do better, see the article Equine Diseases » Respiratory System » Heaves & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease for more on this.
DrO
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New Member:
Lizziem
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 9:54 am:
Hello- thank your for your reply. That same night, I sprinkled a packet of dex powder on his Purina adult pellets. The next morning (yesterday) he was better, still heard a few "squeaks" but alot more stable. By that nite, I didn't hear the weird noises, tho, he still had a bit of the forced breathing with COPD. I enjoyed your COPD article and am trying to really adhere to the suggestions best I can. I didn't realize that the mold spore issue was so sensitive. Is there a difference in bermuda grass hay vs alfalfa with the COPD issue? Can one packet of the dex powder help? My vet left some with me for extreme days, but really didn't tell me about using only one packet as needed vs days of treatment. I also use ventipulmin, but not sure if that releives. I am also watering his open air mare-motel barn he is kept in for dust. I think minute hay particles are mixed in w/ the dirt and sand and he kicks it up while walking around.
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 11:05 am:
Hello Mary,
I have a hay sensitive horse and the best way we manage this is to feed him a roughage cube instead of dry hay. When he had an attack over a year ago, my vet prescribed a 21 day course of dexamethasone powder (Azium) to be given in descending doses and a 4 or 8ounce bottle of Ventipulmin twice a day until gone. We soaked his hay prior to feeding and slowly weaned him onto a cubed diet. We have not had a breathing issue since and he is not on any medications for this condition. He also lives out 24/7. No barn stalling for him.
Hope this helps  .
Susan B.
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New Member:
Lizziem
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 3:03 pm:
Susan- I am considering cubes too, however I am already feeding pelleted Purina adult ration, which I believe is a complete feed. Next time I take "Billy" to the vet, I will ask about continuous dex treatment and/or the pred pill treatment. A couple packets of the dex powder seems to really help, but then again, am I covering up his problem? You can imagine how happy my husband is when I pay the feed bill... we are alfalfa and bermuda hay growers, and to not be able to feed what we grow is hard on him to say the least Having a COPD horse, means not being lazy with their care in housing. Luckily, I only have one.
Liz (Mary)
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 2, 2005 - 7:06 am:
Yes though the Dex is a temporary and recommended treatment during acute episodes, it does not fix the problem and continued exposure means ongoing permanant irreversible damage.
Mary, there is no "try" here. If you do not want to seriously impare the quality and length of your horses life you must adhere to the management recommendations religously. In return, if permanant damage is not yet too severe, you have a excellent chance of returning your horse to near 100% health. While alfalfa is worse than coastal, (usually more moisture content) neither hay is suitable in standard bailed form to a allergic horse. I do not think the pelleted complete feeds have enough fiber personally, because it is over processed. The article has other recommendations.
DrO
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