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Discussion on Acute respiratory distress
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 18, 2001 - 7:14 pm:
Although we once had a horse with seasonal allergies which resulted in classic heaves symptoms, we were surprised to see our 18 year old QH standing in his stall this morning in acute respiratory distress with a white frothy mucousy liquid pouring from both nostrils. His breathing sounds were extremely loud and each breath resulted in additional mucous emanating from the nostrils. This horse had previously had two seasonal breathing allergic episodes, both occuring in later summer and then disappearing until the next later summer timeframe after treatment with appropriate levels of dexamethasone. Today's event was so severe that the horse was treated with a large dose of dexamethasone, atropine, DMSO, Ventipulmin and lasix. This treatment provided relief after 30-40 minutes and the horse is only occasionally coughing, but at least willing to eat some watered-down hay. Needless to say, he is extremely depressed while he stands in his stall. The barn is alway open for egress and ingress and well ventilated. His hay diet and his bedding are the same as always and we are at a loss as to what may have triggered such an acute reaction to some allergen/stimulus. If anyone has had a similar experience or any thoughts, I would welcome hearing from you. Thank you.
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Posted on Monday, Feb 19, 2001 - 1:26 am:
I am no vet, but could he have had an episode of choke?
My mare has had two episodes of choke (eating too fast and the food lodges in the esophagus) and had mucous coming out of her nose, and was distressed. Both episodes resolved themselves within an hour....
Just a guess here, could be waaay off base.
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Posted on Monday, Feb 19, 2001 - 7:38 am:
Angela,
I think you are right on base, an acute episode like Alan describes is exactly what we would expect to see in a choke (a common event) and would be quite a rare initial presentation for allergies or upper respiratory infection. See, Equine Diseases: Colic and GI Diseases: Mouth, Esophagus, and Liver: Choke: Esophageal Obstruction for more information.
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 20, 2001 - 1:42 pm:
Dr. O,
We have pretty much ruled out the possibility of choke in this instance. Not only is this horse a very slow eater at all times, his lung sounds indicated a typical reaction to an airborne stimulus. He is now receiving 1 gm. Bute and 10 mg. Azium per day along with 10 cc. Clenbuterol (Ventipulmin). He was also running a slight fever and still had raspy lung sounds 18 hours after we found him initially. Even with his previous late summer history (probably ragweed) we are at a loss as to what would cause this extreme a reaction.
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Posted on Wednesday, Feb 21, 2001 - 7:39 am:
Hello Alan,
I don't see anything in your post that changes my mind or rules out choke. The raspyness and fever might be do to aspiration of some of the saliva/food mixture.
Of course from here we cannot diagnose your horse and you need to stay with the vet who could examine him but I have never seen a respiratory disease with a peracute onset with "frothy white mucous pouring from the nostrils". On the other hand I will see at a choke almost every month that sounds very similiar to what you describe.
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 22, 2001 - 3:55 am:
OK...he may have had an allergic reaction that caused his throat to swell, which in turn caused "choke". Especially if he ate something that he had a reaction to.
I know (in my case) I am allergic to Macadamia nuts, if I should inadvertently eat one, I get very sick to my stomach, I was told by a Dr. that I get "intestinal hives" from the Macs.
Could he have eaten something that would have caused something like that?
Is that a possibility?
just curious....
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 22, 2001 - 10:23 am:
Lets leave out the allergic reaction without more evidence, horses mangae to choke daily without any help form a allergic reaction.
DrO
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