Coughing horses

[Highmileagecob]

Old Dobbin was diagnosed with COPD over ten years ago. Cannot tolerate hay, allergic to pollen, usually has miserable summers. This year, supermarket Loratadine antihistamine is giving him some relief. I am giving one 10mg tablet per 100kg bodyweight early in the morning, and it has made a difference. Minimal coughing, no wheezing, still heavy breathing but no heaving, still larger than normal nostrils, but definitely not the distended state they usually are. He is happier, and is now marching down the field to meet me, ears pricked and generally more interested in life. No idea why Loratadine is working this year. The only real change is that he is carrying less weight, but I put that down to his age.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My Louis gets summer cough I put him on science supplement respriaid and it's seems to work and he gets soaked hay in the stable.

Never tried antihistamines on him.

 

[Jambarissa]

I wonder if it could be partly due to the weight loss. Being fatter/ having insulin resistance/ eating too much sugar/eating foods which don't agree will cause inflammation which would make allergies worse.

Pure speculation but I know my allergies are much better when I'm avoiding certain foods and generally being sensible and keeping my blood sugar in check.

Anyway that's a great result, hope he stays well.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Pretty sure the weight loss is helping Jambarissa, although he has lived in a grazing muzzle when out on the pasture. He is definitely happier. That alone is a bonus - it used to upset me seeing him out of the herd standing head down, not interested.