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Discussion on Coughing, fever, rapid breathing, fast pulse
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New Member:
totty2
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 3, 2010 - 5:01 pm:
My 12-year old, Missouri Fox Trotter began with a cough on September 11. For a couple of days, he was eating his grain, but was not eating much hay. He was drinking. We thought the hay might have been causing his cough, as it had gotten a little wet. So we began giving other hay we knew had not been wet. His coughing seemed to subside, but then it returned. We called the vet and was seen on 09/29.
After his exam he said the horse had a fever of 101.8, pulse 44 and respirations of 40. He is taking penicillin, 25cc, BID and Albuterol. He had 8 tabs, daily for three days and now he is taking 6 tabs daily, for three days.
We took his temp this evening (Sunday, 10/3). He still has a temp of 102.
I can tell by looking at him he doesn't feel 100% but he is eating and drinking, fine. He hasn't had new feed, or hay. He has been in the same area for over a year. He was not exposed to any new animals. His pasture buddy, our Walker, is fine.
Any ideas? His vet notes can be viewed here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tottons-2/5048737012/ }
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 3, 2010 - 11:02 pm:
If the hay got musty or dusty that exposure certainly might have caused a respiratory irritation or allergy that perhaps later escalated into an infection.
One of my guys will sometimes develop a nasty cough in the fall.
Perhaps some horses are touchy about changes in the temperature, weather and the lessening amount of humidity in the air?
Dust in the air or barn can cause coughing for some individuals and so can some of the pollen in the air from fall blooming plants like goldenrod or ragweed. New sensitivities can develop over time after repeated exposure.
Hope that he will be okay soon.
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New Member:
totty2
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Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2010 - 5:26 am:
We can see the dust in the hay when we are putting it out. And the hay that got wet and then molded, we are not giving to them.
I am just curious as to why he hasn't responded to the penicillin. Does he need a steroid to help him over this?
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New Member:
totty2
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Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2010 - 5:51 am:
I should also say the Penicillin is the G Procaine. 
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2010 - 8:31 am:
Welcome Sally,
There are three reasons he might not respond to penicillin:
1) This is a viral disease.
2) This is a bacterial disease that is no sensitive to the penicillin.
3) This is your horses first bout of Heaves. This is also known as COPD and is a allergic pneumonitis.
The fever and heart rate are not remarkable and horses that are working hard to breath may have elevated body temps without infection. If it is uncertain what is going on you should consider:
1) empirically treating the fever with flunixin
2) managing your horse's environment for COPD (see HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Respiratory System » Heaves & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
3) treating for bacterial disease (HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Respiratory System » Pneumonia & Pleuropneumonia.
CBD (blood work) might help clarify the situation to see if steroids might be safe to give to your horse.
DrO
PS Sally, I often do not follow links off site because of fear of picking up virus's and other stuff. If possible post your vet's notes here and I will review them.
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New Member:
totty2
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Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2010 - 10:07 am:
Dr. O:
I am attaching the vet notes to this post. I really think it was from the hay that got wet and then a bit of mold. I can smell the mold from this hay when I am outside, so I am guessing the faster we remove it, the better it will be for my horse? It is not near him however, I am thinking if I smell it, he surely can.
I called his vet this morning to report on how he was doing. I am waiting for a call back. I will post new instructions later today.
Anyone have any good suggestions on temp taking when the horse isn't keen on having it done (not that I can blame him!)
thanks,
Sally
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2010 - 6:36 pm:
Yes it should be removed now, see the article I reference in the above post on COPD.
Concerning the vet's notes is that I have not had much luck with albuterol or even more expensive bronchodilators when administered orally or by injection for bronchial diseases. COPD is certainly the most common reason I see for dyspnea in a horse that is feeling well but if infection seems possible to your veterinarian that should not be ignored.
DrO
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New Member:
totty2
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 5, 2010 - 7:03 pm:
My horse's fever broke. He seems to be feeling better and I haven't heard any coughing today.
Dr. O, I also read that Albuterol wasn't very effective as a respiratory treatment. My vet said it may not do anything.
We are cleaning up and out the hay that got mold on it and only using the hay that has been stored under cover.
I hope this is Ringo's last bout of heaves. We will do all that we can to help prevent future episodes.
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 6, 2010 - 5:45 pm:
Good for you, Sally, for getting the moldy stuff out.
It is amazing how much damage that exposure to dust or mold can do to equines or humans.
Will hope that Ringo will thrive for you.
It is amazing how well horses who have had adverse and miserable bouts can do with careful management that keeps the offending substances out of their environment.
After a couple of rough autumns in a row my older guy has done extraordinarily well the past couple of years.
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Member:
totty2
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 6, 2010 - 9:15 pm:
Hi Vicki:
Yes, good news for Ringo. I get worried when he isn't feeling just right.
Glad to hear your guy is doing well now. Thanks for your support and advice!
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