Equine asthma

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HopOnTrot

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Our 24 year old pony has asthma, we’ve managed it fairly well so far but I don’t think her inhalers are working enough anymore. We had a gentle walk hack and she was coughing up hill and is quite sweaty (but she is always prone to get sweaty, no cushings)

Before I speak to the vets, can anyone give me a few ideas? Should I look at nebulisers? Is it worth bothering with a course of ventupulmin as a first line? She’s had times where it’s got worse before but it’s usually around Spring/April. What sort of cost are we looking at for a nebuliser and drugs (350kg pony)

Currently she’s out 24/7 with no additional forage, so not sure what has triggered this flare (or if it’s natural decline) but we’ve all had an increase in hayfever symptoms so it could be pollen related.
 
HopOnTrot said:
Our 24 year old pony has asthma, we’ve managed it fairly well so far but I don’t think her inhalers are working enough anymore. We had a gentle walk hack and she was coughing up hill and is quite sweaty (but she is always prone to get sweaty, no cushings)

Before I speak to the vets, can anyone give me a few ideas? Should I look at nebulisers? Is it worth bothering with a course of ventupulmin as a first line? She’s had times where it’s got worse before but it’s usually around Spring/April. What sort of cost are we looking at for a nebuliser and drugs (350kg pony)

Currently she’s out 24/7 with no additional forage, so not sure what has triggered this flare (or if it’s natural decline) but we’ve all had an increase in hayfever symptoms so it could be pollen related.
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There is a strand somewhere, recently, ‘update on jay’s breathing issues’, claret09, might be of alternative interest - anti-histamines. Worth comparing, anyway. Good luck.
 
Also on this post - considering buying a nebuliser - is there any recommendations or feedback on good ones or bad ones please? All experiences welcome!
 
can i just add that jay has been on antihistamines since late spring and the difference is incredible. he is currently having 10 in the morning and 10 at night - bought via amazon as they are way cheaper than anywhere else. twelve months supply for a human (ie 1 tablet per day) for about £8.00 depends on when you order - the price varies . he also has a blue inhaler and was using a 250ml clenil inhaler - i have swapped that to a brown 100ml clenil inhaler and reduced the dose right down to 4 puffs twice a day. (one of the reasons i swapped to a lower dosage is because i also use a brown inhaler twice a day), so can get hold of them more easily - changing and reducing the dosage doesn't seem to have affected his ability to breath - in the spring he was struggling to breath without coughing - since then i have gradually changed shavings to natural flake and begun to soak his hay. i am now able to ride him for 30 minutes every day (i could do more but time is a factor) - he is 28 and looks amazing
 

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I've found a flexineb worked better than inhalers. Cost wise you're looking at the cost of the flexineb plus saline, steroids, distilled water and replacement cup when needed. I nebulise from June/July to around end of October and it costs me approx £20 a month for everything evened out over that time. That's nebulising 2ml steroid/ 2ml saline mix every day. Dexamethasone is approx £16.
 
That’s really interesting, I’m also asthmatic so we use the same inhalers, again we were prescribed 250 x5 but now using 100, I also already bulk buy antihistamines so had 90 in stock to trial! What dose do you use on the blue?

Jay looks fantastic, our pony is 24 and her breathing is her only issue, if we can get this under control that would be great as daughter can stay on her for years to come.

I’ve got a great set up for hay soaking this winter (a hose timer and wheelie bin!) and we use big flake shavings although I need something a bit more biodegradable.
 
HopOnTrot said:
That’s really interesting, I’m also asthmatic so we use the same inhalers, again we were prescribed 250 x5 but now using 100, I also already bulk buy antihistamines so had 90 in stock to trial! What dose do you use on the blue?

Jay looks fantastic, our pony is 24 and her breathing is her only issue, if we can get this under control that would be great as daughter can stay on her for years to come.

I’ve got a great set up for hay soaking this winter (a hose timer and wheelie bin!) and we use big flake shavings although I need something a bit more biodegradable.
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hi originally i was giving him 8 puffs of each inhaler morning and night. i then reduced it down and as i said he has 4 of the brown and 4 of the blue morning and night. i think i will cut it down further. the real game changer has been the antihistamines - i can't believe the impact they have had - i won't cut him down on those especially as he will be in more during the winter
 
HopOnTrot said:
Thanks @claret09 this routine has really helped the pony, just taken her for a good trot round the block (me running) and not a single cough!
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that's amazing. as i said the antihistamines are a total game changer. just start to get her fit and you should be good to go. let me know how she continues to progress. i wonder how many other horses would benefit from having antihistamines
 
I used them really successfully on a mini Shetland with sweet itch but never really thought to try them for asthma.

Eldest child has broken up for half term so I’m going to get him to hack out this week as the pony also needs to lose some weight!
 
i really hope so.. they don't work for all horses but for those they do work for they are a total game changer. jay also has sweet itch (mild) but it has certainly improved that as well.
he has also tolerated being out in the field far longer as well
 
claret09 said:
can i just add that jay has been on antihistamines since late spring and the difference is incredible. he is currently having 10 in the morning and 10 at night - bought via amazon as they are way cheaper than anywhere else. twelve months supply for a human (ie 1 tablet per day) for about £8.00 depends on when you order - the price varies . he also has a blue inhaler and was using a 250ml clenil inhaler - i have swapped that to a brown 100ml clenil inhaler and reduced the dose right down to 4 puffs twice a day. (one of the reasons i swapped to a lower dosage is because i also use a brown inhaler twice a day), so can get hold of them more easily - changing and reducing the dosage doesn't seem to have affected his ability to breath - in the spring he was struggling to breath without coughing - since then i have gradually changed shavings to natural flake and begun to soak his hay. i am now able to ride him for 30 minutes every day (i could do more but time is a factor) - he is 28 and looks amazing
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Is he 28 here? If so, my goodness he looks incredible what a horse
 
thank you. i have had him 19 years - he chose me. he is by poushka III - he has reiki/ physio every week. i ride him every day (roughly 30 mins). we don't do as much work as we used to
 
claret09 said:
thank you. i have had him 19 years - he chose me. he is by poushka III - he has reiki/ physio every week. i ride him every day (roughly 30 mins). we don't do as much work as we used to
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Ahh I remember Pouchka, he was black and selle Francais from memory stood at alvescot or they sold his frozen. So lovely you have had him so long - 19 years 😍. I think Pouchka lived a very long time as well
 
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