COPD/RAO advice

[Ebbw]

Hello

I'm seeking advice for my 11 yo welsh cob.

Over the past few winters he's had the odd cough. Usually in the morning. Didn't think too much of it at the time (looking back that was foolish of me).

Then in Feb this year he had an episode where he was in some respiratory distress. Vet attended and advised it was COPD, prescribed Ventapulmin. Additionally I changed his management. He went into a new stable away from others, was fed haylege and bedded on flax. Definately improved and this continued after the course of ventapulmin.

At the time of the attack he had been unridden for 18mths (lack of time on my part, not due to his health). We've started riding again and he seems happy and keen. He has not been at all sluggish.

The trouble is I am now not sure what's normal or not now (yes, i know, should have kept a vital signs diary over the years).

He does puff a bit after light exercise, but by light exercise I mean hacking around the Welsh valleys of which no bit is flat! I'm equally as unfit as him and would puff at the top of some of these hills, but am I being niave and is this indicative of something I should be taking more seriously? He does cough 2-3 times but at no particular point i.e. not consistently at beginning or end or after exertion. He has never been super fit as we have just been happy hackers so it's hard for me to compare his performance.

His resp rate varies over the range 16-20 breaths per min. The advice on normal varies dependant upon the source. I've seen 8-12, 10-24 - what to believe?
Sometimes I think he looks to be doing the extra push, other times not. Sometimes I think his breathing is abnormal then I look at other horses on adjoining pasture and they have varied breathing patterns too. It has been warm recently, so could that contribute?

As I have no experience with this condition I'm looking for any advice at all!

 

[be positive]

It sounds as if you have made the essential changes to his management, which will help immensely to his overall health and the fact he is now in light work will also really help in the long term, try to gradually increase his fitness, a little blowing at the top of a hill is normal and to be expected after 18 months doing nothing but try not to let him be stressed by his exercise too often as it can strain them and make matters worse, so if he struggles a bit one day give him a slightly easier day the next or allow him to go slower up the next hill, over a few months his fitness level and capacity to cope with more should improve.

The warm weather will often make them breath faster I would not get too hung up on it as long as he is bright, happy to work and does not start to cough more frequently, the extra push you may see is not a good sign but if it is only now and again don't worry too much or become paranoid, sometimes you end up seeing things when they are not there, it sounds as if you are doing a good job with him but don't be afraid to get the vet or ask for more ventipulmin if you think he is having a setback.

 

[mightymammoth]

My horse has seasonal RAO ventapulmin made no difference. I've found soaking hay and moving him to a place where he has an outside stable (previously was stabled in an american barn with the hay stored above his stable). My horse is much worse in the spring and summer and especially when it's humid and close. I find it's better to ride when it's cool and not humid so early mornings.

 

[LegOn]

I had a horse go through a respiratory issue & found Ventapulmin made no difference aswell - I got a human nebuliser instead & some medication (flixotide) to administer with the nebuliser. This was only a 10 day course & it made a massive impact. I also then kept him on Equine America Ventilator for another 2 months & saw a massive improvement. He hasnt needed either since as I changed his management aswell - it could be worth trying the Ventilator supplement if nothing else The human nebulisers arent that expenisve either - you can get them in Argos for about £50 & the meds werent expensive either!