Inflammatory airway disease.

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FreddiesGal

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Sorry I know these types of threads aren't the most interesting but does anyone have of know of a horse with this?

I had the vet out this morning to Freddie and she pretty much diagnosed him with this. The prognosis wasn't great and I'm gutted.

She's coming back out to do an endoscopy later this week.

After a lengthy discussion she said that is is doubtful that he will ever be up to the work I would like to do and that he will most probably have to be on steroids for the rest of his life (he is 6).

I'd like to know realistically how much this is going to cost me a month from someone who has been through this before.

Any info appreciated!
 
Thank you, I have been crying all morning. :(

Symptoms are very similar to RAO, coughing, struggling for breath, shallow fast breathing etc
 
Thank you, I appreciate it. Part of me thinks I would be selfish to even try to make him work and that I should just find somewhere for him to live out the rest of his days at ease :(
 
I would hang fire on the worst case scenario until you know more. 'Inflammatory Airway Disease' is quite vague. From what I know of human equivalents (CF, asthma, human COPD), diagnosis requires more than listening to breathing and visible symptoms. You would need analysis of sputum, chest x-rays and measured response to steroids before you know more.

Has he had these symptoms for a long time? If he has, then yes, it's slightly more pessimistic, as under prolonged insult, the epithelium will undergo 'remodeling', to a mucus secreting phenotype (more cells producing mucus, which is what causes the long-term obstruction and coughing). If it's short term, then it may be a case of change in management style (living out, no bedding, soaked hay) and steroid use will be minimal.

I did once ride a horse with COPD, who wasn't supposed to gallop. He was completely steroid free and lived quite happily outdoors.
 
My boy has it, he was diagnosed in Jan this year, his symptoms were elevated breaths per minute, very snotty/mucus nose, bad coughing etc. He was diagnosed via an endoscopy and tracheal wash.

He started off with a flixotide inhaler, then went onto beclamethasone at 20 puffs a day - the inhaler was £45 from the vet and lasted 10 days! But you can get them for about £22 online with a vet prescription.

He had a bad spell and had to have a course of injected steroids and steroid tablets but they helped no end. Needless to say he is out as much as possible, always soaked hay, woodchip bedding, big airy outdoor stable. Vet also said to keep him as fit as possible the fitter his lungs are the better.

We are now hoping to get through the winter on 2-4 puffs of his inhaler a day which will cost me less than £20 a month so manageable. I don't know what level you compete at but George is doing 2'6-2'9 HTs, ODEs & SJ and BD novice with no trouble - there is hope.

All the best :)
 
Thank you both. He is already out 24/7 and when he has hay I always soak it. He has had this cough for about a year so I'm guessing it's for the longterm.
 
Hi one of my show horses was diagnosed with this at the age of 15 symptoms were
Nasal discharge ,
Coughing exercise intolerance and lungs were harsh , treated with spudaloson and ventipulnin and then had endoscopes and tracheal wash ,
He was on shavings , haylage and lots of fresh air , he is
Now 18 and have no problems still
Competing at county level
And currently on no medication ,I often find
That he tends
To flare up in
Summer more than winter but if symptoms
Start then start ventipulnin again
X
 
Hi when he was first diagnosed he had quite a bit of time off to allow him to recover but once back in work he was fine , I dodnt feel that I have adjusted his workload any , he still goes out and competes and goes the gallops , I just judge his workload accordingly , if I think he is starting to have a flare up then I just give him a couple of days off to recover and then of needs
To have any meds then he does , if he goes off
Colour I call the vets to be safe , I think it depends on what u want
Your horse for as mine is a
Show horse but it would be a different story of it was my other one who events and showjunps
So I think you have to treat them
Individually and speak to
Your vets ? If u
Get on with them
And feel you
Can
Speak with them , when is urs getting scoped ? X
 
That's interesting. It sounds a little like they can work but need time to recover afterwards? Are you giving yours mess everyday or just when needs be? He's being scoped on the 2nd Jan. Vet has suggested the inhalers but from what I've read these aren't very effective?
 
My mare was 'diagnosed' with this after an attack of it. Was horrid to watch but with treatment and a course of ventapulmin she recovered her initial problems. Vet came back to scope after meds had finished and there was still inflammation so treatment continued.....

18 months later, steamed hay and not one cough, attack or sniffle since! Not at all like they suggested it would be! Honestly not one single trace of a problem!
 
Oh I meant to make it clear that treatment was only ventapulmin, scope, bloods, steroids, more ventapulmin. Done. All treatment over within about four weeks.
 
That's great BB. I can only hope for the same outcome. The thing that worries me is that he's this bad now and he's already living out 24/7 with no dust at all
 
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