Inhalers and Pollen Allergy

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Evelynmary

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A wider audience here so not in Veterinary. Has anyone successfully used an inhaler on their horse, especially one that is head shy?

Mine is coughing during exercise to extent I've ceased riding. Its the same every year since I've had him but much worse this year. Has bad antibiotics then Ventipulmun (sp?) but no better and since coming off the Ventipulmun worse. Vet coming later this week, she'll probably 'scope him and will probably suggest an inhaler. I can't see how I'm going to be able to administer this without twitching him but I think it will help. I'm not keen on twitching other than once or twice a year, yearly innocs and sedating for the dentist as he's silly about needles as well.

Any other suggestions that I can discuss with my vet would be much appreciated. I'm pretty sure this is seasonally related to pollen.

Thanks.
 
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Mine has an inhaler due to a currently unresolved allergy.

I have a Paediatric spacer unit which I use with the human inhaler. She tolerates it very well.

It is just big enough to fit over one nostril and does the job perfectly.

I am also giving her a Homeopathic Remedy of Mixed Pollens.
 
My mare needs an inhaler through May/June due to some form of pollen allergy. Like Persephone I use a spacer over one nostril and she tolerates it. At first I spent ages with her to get her used to it, I can do it with her loose in the field now.
BTW, she started coughing and we tried the usual ventrapulim etc but nothing worked - they scoped her and eventually came up with the conclusion that it was pollen related. Like I said she only needs the inhaler for about 6- 8 weeks a year and is fine otherwise.
 
Thanks Persephone and hannah. Do you just give your horses one shot to one nostril or do you have to treat both nostrils? I suspect its quite expensive, worth it it it works though, as long as I not firing it into thin air.
 
No I only do it over one nostil , but cover the other with my hand. You need to time each spray with her breathing in, and count for 30 secs or so after each spray to ensure she breathed it in.
My mare usually starts off on around 8 x sprays twice a day and is gradually reduced - I then increase it again if she coughs at all - your vet will reccomend the dosage. Its not that expensive the spacer can be used year after year and how many inhalers you get through depends on dosage. I only use 2-3 for her 8 weeks.
The only thing to be aware of is steriods can increase the risk of lammi, but if ponys never had it, it shouldnt be an issue. Im also not sure if you can use it when competeing - I dont tend to compete when she needs her inhaler as Im scared she will have a coughing fit and people will think she has a virus or something!
 
Ahhh, I may get one shot in, as to timing with the in breath, ummmm not sure! Thanks for your info, vet had mentioned the steroids/lami when we went onto the Ventrapulim (sp?) and I'm sure she will be considering inhalers at the visit on Wednesday. Just wondering if I had a chance of using it successfully. As with anything new once he gets the hang of it its not a problem but he's just such a wuss and ever so big when he takes against something!
 
My horse tolerates it reasonably well. He is not head shy but can be an anxious nelly at times. He needs 8 puffs twice a day (very big boy). We do 4 in one nostril and four in the other. He is always slightly more tense when we use the right hand nostril. We too have a spacer but unfortunately not a paediatric one as they were just a bit too small to get good coverage. Needless to say equine ones cost more!!
 
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