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  Discussion on Hay alternatives for copd
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Posted on Monday, Aug 14, 2000 - 12:28 am:

Hi, ok my test worked so I will give this another try. I have a 12 yr old pony/quarter cross who was diagnosed with copd in June. I did all the necessary management changes ie, soaking hay, wetting down his area which is a round pen with 3 sided shelter attached. No grass anywhere, just dirt. Late in June he had to be started on Prednisone (prednisolone is now recommended instead of prednisone). He was getting 200 mg EOD, but recently increased to 200 everyday. I tried Ventipulmin with no success. Everytime I try to decrease the pred his wheezing gets worse. I wonder if it it now time to get him off hay. He was allergy tested and is allergic to alfalfa, oats, corn, soy, milo, timothy and various molds, local shrubs and pollens. I started his allergen injections 2 weeks ago. I read about a product from Triple crown which is a grass forage mixed with molasses, also noted the Manna Pro product that Dr. O mentioned in the paper on COPD. Are these products a viable alternative? Should I mix a complete feed or hay cubes in? I worry about choking (never experienced it, but read about it). Also how long can he safely stay on the pred. He weights approximately 850 lbs. I have done most of the treating of him myself as I am a Vet Tech and felt like my equine vets (2) were not too concerned with him. I was the one who suggested the pred. I do have a pasture I can move him to if necessary, but I will miss him. I am hoping that with fall around the corner his symptoms will subside. Any input will be appreciated. Thank you. Margie

Posted on Monday, Aug 14, 2000 - 9:13 am:

Your first step is to get him well. Move him to the pasture and off hay or hay products, once well you can begin trying the alternatives discussed in the article associated with this forum to see what is likely to work. It is very unlikely that your horse is allergic to: alfalfa, oats, corn, soy milo and timothy and slmost all horses become allergic to mold spores when chronically exposed to high levels.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 15, 2000 - 1:56 am:

Dr. O, Thanks for the response. If I do end up taking him to the pasture should I leave him there for short bouts of grazing until he becomes used to it? He has never been on pasture before and I would hate for him to founder. What are your thoughts on the pred dose that I mentioned?
Thanks again. Margie

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 15, 2000 - 3:24 pm:

There is a discussion on introducing a horse to pasture see the article, The Horseman's Advisor: Care for Horses: Nutrition: Roughage and Forage for Horses, an Overview. Seems OK While having severe acute bouts I think I would also be giving 40 to 80 mg dexamethasone IV every other day for no more than 3 doses. Many vets may think this is excessive so talk it over with your vet.
DrO
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