COPD - how can it get better?

[silverstar]

My horse who was diagnosed with COPD in Feb 2010 has gone on loan and I have spoken to the loaners who said that her breathing is okay. Now she is only being used as a hack as her COPD was really bad back in the summer. So what I cant understand is how can it get better when it was chronically bad. My vet said that he thought she had it before I bought her (only had her a year). She is not in the same area so can this affect it?

 

[jodie3]

My understanding is that COPD is always there but you can minimize it by your management of it.

My cob who had COPD had a full and active life competing and hunting. Summer was always a bad time for him as too much dust from the ground on minimal grazing would aggravate it.

 

[ScarlettLady]

tends to be an allergic reaction, when managed correctly can improve. Alternatively could have been an infection which has passed now, falls under the RAO bracket!
Sorry very vague

 

[kazhar]

you can never get rid of it, just manage it. it will always be there but some times will be much worse than others. same as for humans.

 

[SO1]

yes if is an allergy and the horse is no longer exposed to the allergen - so if your horse was allergic to a certain type of plant pollen and then moves to another area where that plant is not around then it will no longer have the allergic reaction.

 

[Steorra]

If he was allergic to a particular pollen then location would make a difference. Not necessarily comparable, but I'm allergic to tree pollen and get terrible hayfever. If I go to the coast (no trees, stiff breeze off the sea etc) then I am much better than at home.

 

[tuppence's fortune]

COPD or RAO (recurrent airway obstruction) is quite common in stabled horses. and can go unnoticed for years some times. my cob cross appie suffers with it. although we manage it. how much has the vet told you about it?

when i found out that magic had it the vet advised me NOT to use straw no matter how good the quality and instead use dust-extracted wood shavings or shredded paper as bedding if in stable. and basically keep bedding as fresh as possible to prevent dust and prevent fungi particles from multiplying.

also to dampen hard feed and feed at floor level (if you dont already) to encourage drainage of secretion from the horses airways.
if feeding hay, soak it before hand or alternatively feed haylage.
also if possible try turning him out 24hours a day rather than taking him in on a night. if this is impossible try and ventilate the stable/barn as much as you can. it is all about the dust that he is breathing in, and how to try and minimise it as much as possible.
also while he is having problems avoid ridding him, until the respiratory rate and effort has returned to normal. if it doesnt get better when you have tried these then i would contact your vet and see if he thinks you should get an inhaler for him, they are very effective and are preffered by vets rather than the corticosteroid drugs.

i hope i have been helpful and not just told you things you already know. and good luck with it xxx

 

[justjb]

My retired pony is on strong steriod inhalers all year round and suffered very bad in the summer nearly pts to stop her suffering then i moved her to a more open area only 5 miles away and she is miles better my vet reckons with less heat and pollen in the air in the winter helps.
I also walk her in hand to try and clear her lungs as best i can each day so maybe if the loaner is doing a bit more work hacking it might be helping to clear her lungs???
Not sure i had never heard of this before my pony was diaognised with it so im just speaking from trail and error that have effected my pony maybe could effect yours as well?