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Discussion on Ammonia induced COPD
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Member:
Wendyp
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Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 2:12 pm:
My former yard switched to deep littering some 8 weeks ago. At first this was done with a proper deep bed then the amount of bedding was cut down and the beds became foul. I complained and then my horse started to make a noise when working and lacked the ability to work for a few minutes. I complained again and was told there was nothing wrong with their management practice and a week after he started to wheeze I moved him to a new yard. I believe he now has a breathing problem from the wet beds. He looks as fit as a fiddle and bright and everyone at his new yard has commented on it. However he is still not working well and having to stop after a few minutes for a breather. Although he has only been there a week. He is not coughing and his sides are not heaving particularly but he is not working like he used to.
I have arranged for my vet to visit but a vet friend (who has not seen my horse) said that breathing problems can be ammonia induced but he is unlikely to make a full recovery. Is this the case?
He is now being kept in a large airy well ventilated barn and all day turnout and wet haylage.
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Member:
Choney
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Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 9:33 pm:
I think anytime a horse has breathing/airway issues it is imperative to have a vet out sooner rather than later, especially if it is a new problem.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 11:09 pm:
Hello MrsP,
I have never seen lungs of a horse permanently damaged from ammonia, though it is known as a irritant that predisposes to infection and lower respiratory disease. For more on the likely pathogenesis of COPD, if this is what your horse has, the article associated with this forum explains it.
DrO
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