COPD .... so far success ?

[Shysmum]

It's been a hell of a two years, coughing, then heaving, then nearly six weeks ago a collapse. Vet threw everything at Shy, it was a horrible, I thought I would lose him, and if not, he'd not have any quality of life ?.

I'm an aromatherapist, and did some research. I came up with a formula of veg oil, garlic and eucalyptus oils. I know the controversy around garlic, a very little goes a long way. And you know what? He's not coughed or heaved for five weeks, and I'm riding again !

WITH A DISCLAIMER... 2 litres veg oil, 40 drops eucalyptus essential oil, 25 drops of garlic essential oil. It stinks ! 10 ml in each feed.

I do hope this helps someone.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Very similar story, very similar horse! Heaving, coughing, standing with all four feet planted, nose touching the floor trying to drag breath in. Emergency steroids sent him straight into laminitis, Ventopulmin did absolutely nothing. I moved him to the top of the yard in isolation away from the hay stores, and switched to haylage and dust free bedding. Eventually got him stabilised after around six months or so of inhalers and various broncho-dilators, to the point where I could walk him out, but he was still breathing as though he had a blocked nose. Because there was nothing else left to try, I put Vicks on his top lip and a little inside the nostrils. Within a week the blockage had cleared. I think the main ingredient is eucalyptus.
I am now paranoid about his management, and avoid his main triggers of Ivermectin, hay and hay based products. He lives with the herd in the daytime, but has stayed in his lone stable when he needs to come in. During the pollen season I use Piriton tablets to damp down any coughing. Ten years down the line (fingers crossed) he seems fine.
Good luck. I hope you have a happy outcome.

 

[Shysmum]

Sounds really good ?

 

[PurBee]

Brilliant update! So glad you and shy are enjoying getting out and about again ?

 

[nagblagger]

My friends horse, who i pm'd you about when you first posted, has stopped coughing - the true test will be in the summer, when she is always worse and was nearly pts last year, but cautiously optimistic at the moment....thank you, Shysmum, for giving this horse a better quality of life.

 

[Shysmum]

Oh wow !!! I'm waiting and waiting, cant believe my luck atm x if the horse gets worse PM me x

 

[nagblagger]

Will do, thank you...

I don't know if you believe in coincidences but she only text me earlier today, hadn't heard from her for a few weeks, I came home and read your update - spooky!

 

[Shysmum]

I'm a medium ?

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Oh thats fantastic news! I'm so glad you've found something that works!
I wonder if it would help my boy with a pollen allergy at all, I may try it.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Interesting that the oils help!

Mine has allergies and has been terrible (for him) this year. Much more coughing. Been using the Flexineb with a steroid and/or ectoin as well as NAF Respirator Boost in his feed, but switched to a different herbal liquid since the NAF is pricey here and appeared to do nothing. Might add some Echinacea. Also going to try antihistamines to see if that helps.

Sometimes giving a syringe of Balsamic Air before exercise helps too, which is a variety of oils. I've not seen him so allergic in years, I don't know what it is about this year.

Glad you found something that works.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Really not sure if this is relevant, but my old boy didn't start with his allergy until the age of 17, and it took three years to very gradually improve to the point of near normality. He will start coughing again as the tree pollen kicks in, but responds very well to antihistamine tablets. I now only need to give him two in the morning and two in the evening to keep him comfortable. I did wonder whether there was some link to EMS as that was also an issue at the time.