TotalMadgeness
Well-Known Member
Hi
My connie has always shown these symptoms:
Increased heavy breathing during exercise with flared nostrils - noticeably more than a normal horse. Was assumed to be lack of fitness - but increased work didn't seem to increase the fitness. Whereas if I did that with my other horses they'd simply get fitter...
Lack of stamina - he runs out of puff easily and quickly - again more than a normal horse and again assumed to be lack of fitness.
On the VERY rare occasion it is stifling hot here (I live 1000 ft above sea level in Scotland!) and he is standing in the stable his respiratory rate can increase (but I've only seen that twice in 4 years). When I've gone to check my other horse standing in the other stable (who suffers from a pollen related cough) I noted his breathing was normal in comparison to the connie.
Swinging his head vigorously from side to side during exercise (only seen in loose schooling or being walked or trotted in hand, he's fine under saddle). Doesn't toss his head up and down, only side to side.
And now, I have spotted a slight but noticeable (to me anyway) bulge underneath his neck. No heat or pain reaction to prodding. Can't see any trauma (no broken skin) or a evidence of a bite (in fact it is too cold for insects at the moment). He is swallowing fine and breathing as he normally would. He's not stiff in his neck in the slightest and actually moving really nicely at the moment.
Anyway I'm thinking something is off with his airways, possibly trachea, so the vet is booked. I have to say it never rains but it pours for this wee guy! He's always in the wars what with stifle abnormalities, sarcoids and melanomas...
My connie has always shown these symptoms:
Increased heavy breathing during exercise with flared nostrils - noticeably more than a normal horse. Was assumed to be lack of fitness - but increased work didn't seem to increase the fitness. Whereas if I did that with my other horses they'd simply get fitter...
Lack of stamina - he runs out of puff easily and quickly - again more than a normal horse and again assumed to be lack of fitness.
On the VERY rare occasion it is stifling hot here (I live 1000 ft above sea level in Scotland!) and he is standing in the stable his respiratory rate can increase (but I've only seen that twice in 4 years). When I've gone to check my other horse standing in the other stable (who suffers from a pollen related cough) I noted his breathing was normal in comparison to the connie.
Swinging his head vigorously from side to side during exercise (only seen in loose schooling or being walked or trotted in hand, he's fine under saddle). Doesn't toss his head up and down, only side to side.
And now, I have spotted a slight but noticeable (to me anyway) bulge underneath his neck. No heat or pain reaction to prodding. Can't see any trauma (no broken skin) or a evidence of a bite (in fact it is too cold for insects at the moment). He is swallowing fine and breathing as he normally would. He's not stiff in his neck in the slightest and actually moving really nicely at the moment.
Anyway I'm thinking something is off with his airways, possibly trachea, so the vet is booked. I have to say it never rains but it pours for this wee guy! He's always in the wars what with stifle abnormalities, sarcoids and melanomas...
