dianeholmes
Well-Known Member
My 10 year old Andalucian/ID cross gelding has a complicated medical history. He has PSSM - now undercontrol with a high oil diet but the problem we are struggling with is Summer Pasture RAD. He has been allergy tested and is currently receiving desensitisation vaccinations for the things he is allergic to (various grasses and mugwort). He is on a steroid inhaler, a brochodliator inhaler and oral ventapulmin but we are still struggling with his breathing. Yesterday he had hives all down one side. He has not worked for weeks as the symptoms started in April.
He was scoped in May and the neutrophil level was at 78% - less than last years high of 94% but still not great.
I am cynical about the vaccinations as the antigens identitifed as the problem by the allergen testing do not flower until June. His problem definitely satrted earlier than that so I am thinking there is still something the tests are not able to detect.
Oddly he does not cough unless it progresses to a infection - he looses performance and then starts to blow his nose a lot with plenty of white discharge - not thick more like watered down milk of magnesia really. It is also difficult for the vet to hear anything through the stethoscope. If I encounter a new vet I have difficulty convincing them there is a problem until they scope him and see just how much mucous there is and get the gunk tested!
He has not worked consistently for four summers in a row but is a very forward going energetic chap over the winter.
Are we fighting a loosing battle here - he seems worse despite intensive and very expensive treatment - my insurance cover is exhausted for this condition.
Anyone any comments or experiences similar to this????
He was scoped in May and the neutrophil level was at 78% - less than last years high of 94% but still not great.
I am cynical about the vaccinations as the antigens identitifed as the problem by the allergen testing do not flower until June. His problem definitely satrted earlier than that so I am thinking there is still something the tests are not able to detect.
Oddly he does not cough unless it progresses to a infection - he looses performance and then starts to blow his nose a lot with plenty of white discharge - not thick more like watered down milk of magnesia really. It is also difficult for the vet to hear anything through the stethoscope. If I encounter a new vet I have difficulty convincing them there is a problem until they scope him and see just how much mucous there is and get the gunk tested!
He has not worked consistently for four summers in a row but is a very forward going energetic chap over the winter.
Are we fighting a loosing battle here - he seems worse despite intensive and very expensive treatment - my insurance cover is exhausted for this condition.
Anyone any comments or experiences similar to this????
