does anybody know what causes inflamation of a horses lungs?

[BackInBlack]

my vet has told me that my horses lungs are inflamed. they have found no bad bacteria in there but there is obviously something going on for his lungs to become inflamed

the vet is sending me some tablets and powders to add to his food and we are assesing again in a weeks time.
does anybody have any more info on this?? can't fathom out what could be causing it. thought maybe along the lines of copd but when i 1st noticed any symptoms he was on 24 hr turnout with no hay/mold to be in contact with.

 

[loopylucifer]

yes you are right it would be like copd now know as RAO. Would prob be an allergy would necs have to be in and eatting hay. mine has this too she was scoped in April she was out having no hay and feed always very wet she had also had ventapulmin and was still coughing/snezing had light nasal discharge and had had several nosebleeds and the scope showed up inflamation in trach and lungs. this was the result of an allergy to something in the environment but no idea wot some horses have an allergy to pollen.

 

[BackInBlack]

it could be that smokey is allergic to something, yes. it's had quite an effect on him - causing bad blood results for his white and red blood cells and his liver. i'm going to soak or steam all his hay, put him on rubber matting and paper bedding. clean every bucket etc meticulously, soak his food etc. and keep my fingers crossed he improves!

 

[GreedyGuts]

I would highly recommend discussing the use of inhaled steroids with your vet. This is really the only way of reducing inflammation in the lungs effectively, and can be used long term without systemic effects. Compared to ventipulmin they are very cheap and a million times more effective.

 

[BackInBlack]

i've just been reading up on inhaled steroids and would be v interested in that, provided smokey would stand good to receive them! he's been on ventipulmin and some tablets for a day now and does appear to be brighter - real test will be when i get to ride him out. vet advises to work him through this course of meds so we can keep track, so i'm aiming to hack him out tomorrow (saturday).

 

[BackInBlack]

rode smokey joe out today and even tho his breathing is still noisy he seemed to be able to clear his throat better (he did this about 5 times, whereas before he would make a big effort to do it once get about half way through and give up) so i can see now he needed to do this. he seemed a little less lethargic too so i'll just keep at it and see how we get on. i'm thinking if this is copd/an allergy do all vets carry out allergy testing and is it expensive?