Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)

[Bluewaves]

My horse had a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on Monday. Does anyone have experience of this with their horse?

Since the procedure he hasn't been completely himself, does it take a few days for them to get over the stress of it? He is fine mostly, I just notice a wee change in his face. I wondered if his airways were a bit sore still from it. He bled a bit during it.

He hasn't eaten all his hard food the last couple of days so I wondered if it has affected his sense of smell/taste a bit. Still happily eating grass and haylage though.

I'm still waiting on results from the lab but based on his history the vet is predicting he has breathing problems and cough caused by allergies.

 

[HelenBack]

Mine had one a few years ago, or maybe two, I can't remember now. He was fine afterwards although he bled during the procedure too. It wouldn't surprise if it takes it out of them a bit though as it's quite an unpleasant procedure overall isn't it? Maybe as you say your horse is feeling a bit sore somewhere from the tube.

Would it be worth a quick phone call to your vet just to discuss it with them?

 

[SEL]

I would check in with your vet. My pony was ok after her bronchial wash but my other horse had a guttural pouch wash a few years back and had an awful time afterwards - 2 weekend emergency vet callouts in the end.

 

[Bluewaves]

Mine had one a few years ago, or maybe two, I can't remember now. He was fine afterwards although he bled during the procedure too. It wouldn't surprise if it takes it out of them a bit though as it's quite an unpleasant procedure overall isn't it? Maybe as you say your horse is feeling a bit sore somewhere from the tube.

Would it be worth a quick phone call to your vet just to discuss it with them?

It was very unpleasant . I didn't realise it was going to be quite as nasty. I'll check him again this evening and if still a bit off, then I'll call probably call vet tomorrow.

 

[Bluewaves]

I would check in with your vet. My pony was ok after her bronchial wash but my other horse had a guttural pouch wash a few years back and had an awful time afterwards - 2 weekend emergency vet callouts in the end.

That sounds dreadful. Mine is not coughing badly, he just seems a tiny bit not himself. And not like him to not finish his tea.

 

[SEL]

That sounds dreadful. Mine is not coughing badly, he just seems a tiny bit not himself. And not like him to not finish his tea.

My mare who had the guttural pouch wash is the type who will devour a bucket of food before you've barely left her stable - and she didn't eat. She just stood there moping.

So first vet call was early that morning and she'd had some sort of reaction to the procedure. Obviously we were heading into the weekend so everything was at premium!!

All the other liveries thought I was being that paranoid owner - but this horse has never, ever not eaten her food.

So if you don't see a bounce back soon then I would check in with your vet

 

[GoldenWillow]

I've had three done on two different horses, no reactions to any of them and normal from when they came out of sedation. I've also had one that bled badly from both nostrils from a scope, bled badly from one nostril so changed to other which also bled, who was fine straight away. Is his temperature normal?

Eta, I'd give the vet a ring.

 

[Bluewaves]

I checked him this evening, normal temperature and he is back eating his hard feed. It might have just been the stress of it all.

Thanks all for your wise advice.