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 Elite Veteran
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| Thanks so much! I feel bad that I could've caught it sooner...but seriously this mare would try her heart out with one leg cut off. The vet said we did catch it in early stages and was pretty positive she'll recover quickly. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| If they haven't done blood work, get them to run a cbc. Then ask them if it is viral or bacterial. If it is bacterial a bronchial lavage should be done and a culture sent away.
If it is viral have them send a swab away for rhino.
I had horses at a barn 3 years ago all three developed rhino, they were quarantined for 3 months no riding, as my vet says the damage begins when they are excercised and sloughing off the lining of the trachea (this is when they start to cough). He says you need to let it heal. Mine did |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Piece of advice: LISTEN TO YOUR GUT. My mare had been on the antibiotics for 6 days with no improvement but she also wasn't worse...I am not one to play the "wait and see" game for 10 days. Too much time wasted. So, I called the university who initially saw her and they were in agreement to bring her in. They did a physical exam, bag tested her again and did an ultrasound which left a lot of questions. Luckily, the blood work was all good, white cell was normal...next step trach wash and BAL. Making assumptions; possible low grade pneumonia but white count should be abnormal and it's not OR some type of inflammatory lung disease...hopefully more answers this afternoon. |
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | Good luck!! My mare went through pnemonia as well. Super scary. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Just wanted to post another update...my mare is responding to the antibiotics for the pneumonia...waiting on one more culture to come back, lets pray it's negative...she did have a trach wash and BAL which was not as clear as they'd like but no signs of blood. The diagnosis is low grade pneumonia with signs of equine asthma...she'll complete her antibiotics and then do a few rounds of steroids for the asthma and we'll get a game plan on how to treat it going forward. All in all...she is doing very well and her breathing is back to normal. Thank goodness!
Has anyone used DoTerra oils for equine asthma? There is one called Breath. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| RedHead84 - 2016-09-13 8:59 AM
Just wanted to post another update...my mare is responding to the antibiotics for the pneumonia...waiting on one more culture to come back, lets pray it's negative...she did have a trach wash and BAL which was not as clear as they'd like but no signs of blood. The diagnosis is low grade pneumonia with signs of equine asthma...she'll complete her antibiotics and then do a few rounds of steroids for the asthma and we'll get a game plan on how to treat it going forward. All in all...she is doing very well and her breathing is back to normal. Thank goodness!
Has anyone used DoTerra oils for equine asthma? There is one called Breath.
I have asthma and none of the blends worked for me, but what did was Frankincense. But everyone, people and horses, react differently to any medicine, so just be aware that it might take a couple of tries to find the right one. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| GLP - 2016-09-13 9:45 AM
RedHead84 - 2016-09-13 8:59 AM
Just wanted to post another update...my mare is responding to the antibiotics for the pneumonia...waiting on one more culture to come back, lets pray it's negative...she did have a trach wash and BAL which was not as clear as they'd like but no signs of blood. The diagnosis is low grade pneumonia with signs of equine asthma...she'll complete her antibiotics and then do a few rounds of steroids for the asthma and we'll get a game plan on how to treat it going forward. All in all...she is doing very well and her breathing is back to normal. Thank goodness!
Has anyone used DoTerra oils for equine asthma? There is one called Breath.
I have asthma and none of the blends worked for me, but what did was Frankincense. But everyone, people and horses, react differently to any medicine, so just be aware that it might take a couple of tries to find the right one.
I figured I have a lot of trial and error in my future to figure out what works for her. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Also, the vet suggested I soak her hay...uhm, yeah she does not like soggy hay. Really, my hay isn't very dirty...she seems to do better with just lightly wetting it down...anyone have experience? Did you have to switch to hay cubes or pellets? |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | I was really hoping when I came back to this thread I would see a positive update. I'm glad you are getting it figured out but respriatory issues are not fun. I tried the soaking of hay for my mare but she wouldn't eat it. I just feed her hay on the ground, outside and spread it out. We cut and bale our own hay so I know it's the best we can do but there is always dust particles. I actually feel like hay is not always the biggest problem, the enviroment around them is worse. Dusty arenas, humid arenas, and stalling is what gets my mare feeling like crap. I hope she continues to recover from the pneumonia and keep us updated!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Okay...so all cultures were negative. It looks like the SMZ/TMS antibiotics are working. The vet is coming out Monday to re-ultrasound her lungs...to see if she needs a dose of steroids. Physically, from what I can tell, she's much better...no flairy nostrils, no sides thumping...breathing is normal and only a couple coughs now and then...but then again...I am not watching her 24/7...if they recommend steroids it's ANOTHER TWO WEEKS with no riding and no competition, which will make me miss a big race I qualified for. BUMMER. I do not want to go against vet orders or make this problem worse...but can she not run on steroids? What if we don't do the steroids? Do I have another option? I feel like with these university docs it's all black and white.
I should add the steroids they are wanting to do is Prednisone and an Albuterol syrup.
Edited by RedHead84 2016-09-15 11:53 AM
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 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | I personally wouldn't ride until you are totally in the clear. You take a chance of causing scar tissue in the lungs.
With my gelding the only thing that has made a difference with the asthma is Cur-Ost and Equi-Resp treatments. I have not tried Equipulmin... that might be the only thing. Every horse is different and you just have to find what will work for you. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Lovin Life - 2016-09-15 12:38 PM
I personally wouldn't ride until you are totally in the clear. You take a chance of causing scar tissue in the lungs.
With my gelding the only thing that has made a difference with the asthma is Cur-Ost and Equi-Resp treatments. I have not tried Equipulmin... that might be the only thing. Every horse is different and you just have to find what will work for you.
Right. I guess my "problem" is they got no definitive answer from any testing that she had pneumonia...but that's what they are treating...and only slight inflammation on lungs which lead them to equine asthma diagnosis. She is currently not symptomatic beside a cough now and then. I really don't want to do heavy steroids if I don't have to due to the side effects. I was thinking just start the Cur-ost or Equipulmin and go from there? |
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Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | I would say go with your gut, but if she's not being ridden and coughing some it might be best to make sure the inflammation is gone first. I hope there's just some inflammation and it's not in fact asthma... it's so frustrating and expensive to treat. I've learned a lot of patience with this. Good luck!! :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | I would really talk to Dr.Schell with nouvelle research. He will be a huge help right now at the stage you are in. He can give you a more open outlook on things so you can make your decision of where to go from here. I personally wouldn't be worried right now about the big run coming up. I would be worried about finding a long term answer for the initial issues you mentioned and go from there. Lung issues are no fun and even if you think your horse is acting normal you really have no idea... it is amazing what they push through to perform for us. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| MidWest1452 - 2016-09-15 3:13 PM
I would really talk to Dr.Schell with nouvelle research. He will be a huge help right now at the stage you are in. He can give you a more open outlook on things so you can make your decision of where to go from here. I personally wouldn't be worried right now about the big run coming up. I would be worried about finding a long term answer for the initial issues you mentioned and go from there. Lung issues are no fun and even if you think your horse is acting normal you really have no idea... it is amazing what they push through to perform for us.
I did a post previously on SecondVet and the Immune and Total were his suggestion. I updated that post today with what has happened thus far...just waiting on his reply. |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | ^^^^This. The longer you let these respiratory issues go, the more irreparable lung damage will occur. I sure wish I had found this before things got as out of control as they did. I nearly lost my horse due to these issues, desite seeking treatment from several very good vets. These issues can and do spiral out of control very, very quickly, especially when a little bit of stress is added in due to hauling or making runs.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | RedHead84 - 2016-09-15 3:21 PM MidWest1452 - 2016-09-15 3:13 PM I would really talk to Dr.Schell with nouvelle research. He will be a huge help right now at the stage you are in. He can give you a more open outlook on things so you can make your decision of where to go from here. I personally wouldn't be worried right now about the big run coming up. I would be worried about finding a long term answer for the initial issues you mentioned and go from there. Lung issues are no fun and even if you think your horse is acting normal you really have no idea... it is amazing what they push through to perform for us. I did a post previously on SecondVet and the Immune and Total were his suggestion. I updated that post today with what has happened thus far...just waiting on his reply.
Email him. You will get a more personalized answer and you guys can really discuss about riding and going to runs can help or hinder her. Sometimes exercise is a good thing and sometimes it's not and the body really needs time to heal. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Vet is coming back out Monday to do another ultra sound and probably start her on steroids; prednisolone and albuterol syrup. They still seem baffled that her cultures came back clean but yet has these symptoms but the symptoms don't really match equine asthma either, they say? This is tough. I do have the Cur-Ost Total and Immune on order...from all the reviews I hope it helps.
And then this morn I go out and she has caught her nostril on something and ripped it, so that had to get sutured.
This child is wearing me out! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Her ultrasound was much better, lungs look better. Positive diagnosis of equine asthma. Started on prednisolone and ventpulmin syrup for 7 days then wean down dosage and hopefully figure out what she needs for maintenance. But she's doing much better and can start light exercise!
I appreciate everyone's input and good thoughts! |
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