Heavy Breathing.....

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Mabel98

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Probably not really CR, but could do with some knowledgeable help please.......

My 6 year old 3/4 TB started puffing and heavy breathing a couple of months ago; just one day she suddenly changed from being a clean-winded horse to a heavy breathing one. She is almost normal at rest but any exercise brings on her puffing. My vet gave her an MOT and did blood tests, all totally normal.
This does not affect her performance at all, she is her normal bouncy self and is eventing at BE90 level with no problems, easily gallops up and down hills, she just sounds awful.
NB she is much worse on hot, sultry days, sounded almost ok on a cooler, windier day recently.

So where do I go from here? Do I get her scoped, tracheal wash etc.. or just accept it may be that she has a pollen allergy etc.. and wait for the cooler weather? She has no cough or snotty nose and is in good, fit condition.

Any help gratefully received; my vet wasn't too concerned but her breathing is very different to how it was in April and I would like to get to the bottom of it. Thanks
 
Do you have any oilseed rape about? We had one who couldn't cope with rape and we were surrounded by the blooming stuff. Borrowed the inhaler from the pony with COPD and she was much better.
 
My girlie has really bad breathing probs even when at rest. I put her on NAF respirator at teh beginning of the summer which really worked! She has been much worse this this year and has an inhaler which vet prescribed daily on hot days and then as a when on cooler ones during the summer. Shes also on Ventapulmin at the moment as well. All of this seems to keep her breathing more under control.

Not sure if their comp legal but may be worth a try?
 
Thanks Charlie, I was thinking of trying a supplement so I'll get some Respirator. I will talk to my vet as well again but don't think Ventipulmin is comp legal
 
Hia I have this problem with my hw cob. I have just had to accept that he is a headshaker and allergic to whatever. This morning on a very slow ride his breathing suddenly changed when we were in a field of rape seed, blows a lot too. Have had all the tests done for my problem, which were pulling head down to floor, especially when we were in enclosed areas of greenery. Someone has advised me to use piriton but not entirely sure. I have just purchased a nose net and it does help a lot. Apparently there is not a lot of research that has been done on the subject. One good thing - it gets easier in the winter, sorry not to give more useful information, but there just aint any! Will be interesting to see if anyone else has any good ideas though.
 
jane6394 said:
Hia I have this problem with my hw cob. I have just had to accept that he is a headshaker and allergic to whatever. This morning on a very slow ride his breathing suddenly changed when we were in a field of rape seed, blows a lot too. Have had all the tests done for my problem, which were pulling head down to floor, especially when we were in enclosed areas of greenery. Someone has advised me to use piriton but not entirely sure. I have just purchased a nose net and it does help a lot. Apparently there is not a lot of research that has been done on the subject. One good thing - it gets easier in the winter, sorry not to give more useful information, but there just aint any! Will be interesting to see if anyone else has any good ideas though. Ps. Ventipullmin opens the airways, which works similar to asthma products, I am not a vet, but if you hav an allergy to something opening up the airways doesnt nescesarily stop the initial problem. Maybe ask vet about piriton or similar.
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Thanks Jane, I will call my vet again on Monday. The strange thing is that she has no problems competing and has never coughed! I might try a nose net, thanks
 
on a possible positive note - interestingly my mare has been much worse this year that others - so may be you've noticed it this year and may not see if for another few - good luck and keep us updated!
 
My mare has been suffering with this for the last month, she had no cough or snotty nose etc just really puffed out! so we have ventipulmin and respimin with no effect. I also had her scoped and a lung wash, it showed she had Pasturella pneumotropica bacterial infection which the vets have assured me responds well to a particular antibiotic, which she has now had and had a showed a small improvement. They are thinking this is a secondary infection to perhaps a pollen allergy? but we are not sure. So at the moment we are getting her to breathe salbutamol inhalers and a steroid inhaler twice a day using a babies spacer. Ive said if no further improvement after a week I want a referall to a specialist we are on day 3 at the moment. Its soo frustrating.....
 
Thanks Keltic, it is a frustrating condition; please let me know how you get on. Can you still ride her? Is she distressed with it?
 
No she has been off work since 3rd June, the vet thought it best that she have no exercise at the moment, she is out 24/7 and seems happy enough eating really well and pootling round the field. I think im more distressed than she is!! Ive noticed her really breathing quite deeply when im giving her the inhalers especially the steroid one, im going to have the vet out this week for another check over so will let you know.
 
Fingers crossed Keltic, do let me know. Like your horse, mine doesn't seem bothered at all! Have bought the NAF Respirator Boost today so will see if that helps at all.
 
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