Heaves Line - Photos ? Working horses with COPD ?

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niagaraduval

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Hi all,

I was wondering if any one has or knows a horse that has a heaves line ?

I have bee researching it on the internet and I am pretty sure my horse has one.. I have noticed it before but didn't think much of it as he hasn't had any major outbreaks in a few years but I would like to see any pictures.

I don't have any suitable pictures of my boy in question ATM, my camera is rubbish quality so can't see a lot. I am hoping to borrow a better quality camera and take a picture of my boys belly to show you all.

Concerning stable management, I think I have found a good combination.

Although, I am really reluctant to work him... is this normal ? I am thinking it might be worse if he doesn't work regularly as he won't learn to breath correctly during effort ?

Who has a horse with heaves or COPD ? How do you cope ? Although my boy hasn't had an outbreak in the past few years It's seems to be harder and harder to keep his breathing steady and it has got to the point where I am seriously considering PTS.

I am at a cross roads where I just don't know what road to take.. I haven't worked him hard in 3 years. He lives in 10 acres with my retired oldie.
 
02.jpg


Not my horse (was found on google images).
 
CM got a chest infection a while back and heaved terribly. The situation was not helped by her originally being diagnosed with COPD/ROA, but once she was on antibiotics for the chest infection she improved well and then fully recovered after a minor setback. She wasn't ridden at all while ill.

I used to livery at a yard with a pony that suffered from really bad COPD even when kept out and on soaked hay and she really suffered - her lungs were knackered basically. So I had already decided that if CM got that bad (when I thought it was COPD) she would be PTS.
 
I didn't see these replies, thanks for that.

I had another look at him last night (still don't have a camera though..) and I'm actually not sure that it is heaves lines, however I know he has been coughing a bit lately (Just come of another course of Ventipulmin), he's now on fresh air 24/7 and Airways breathing supplement in his breakfast and tea which I can see is making a difference. Not sure if I can take him through another winter though, such a shame, he has just turned 13 and has never had any problems prior to his respiratory problems.
 
Have known a few with them, all with COPD/RAO, all in work unless particularly bad, all on ventipulmin/inhalers as required and one with a nebuliser and steroids at times. They all lived pretty nice lives really and none of them were at PTS stage (all riding school horses).
 
Thanks for the reply, it's interesting to see that the horses are still worked.

The thing that bothers me is that this illness is so unpredictable and can strike back at any time, and when it does it is often even more dangerous than the last as horses lungs deteriorate and don't get any better. I had a very near miss last year where I was so close to having him PTS, but struggled on through and have just come out of the dark period the last month or so, I'm absolutely terrified of loosing him, although I think PTS would be easier to accept then having him go in such a horrible state.

When is the right time to PTS? Am I being OTT even considering this at the moment?
He has got to the stage where anything will set him off, and I'm certain that the next bout of heaves he will not come through... it's more about doing everything possible to prevent him having another episode in fear of loosing him, which obviously isn't easy to deal with and that's why I'm not working him at all (and haven't for the last year or so).
 
With the pony I knew - that fact that she was tired all the time (because breathing was so much effort for her) meant that IMO she should have been PTS. Also the treatments have stopped easing her symptoms.
 
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