Nearly Lost Shy To COPD ?

[Shysmum]

He has been diagnosed with COPD for about a year now. Lots of coughing and heaving at various times. Lots of meds from the vet. Just as bad outside as in, makes no difference ?‍.

Anyway, I noticed he was starting an attack a few days ago, so put him on Ventipulin. He is routinely given Voraxin every night as well. But the next morning he was in a terrible state, sweat dripping off him, huge heaving line to breathe, head down, but no cough.

Got my brilliant vet out, who said one more day like that and he would have collapsed. Lots and lots of meds later, Shy is almost back to normal, but the meds go on for another three weeks. (And aren't cheap at £100 a pot, hes on 3 different types ?). PTS crossed my mind and was discussed, vet said we're a long way off.

I cried my heart out thinking of what could have happened. We have no known cause for the COPD, nothing at all has changed. The most heartbreaking thing is .... my vet says that if I ride him again, it's only a walk. ?

 

[Fjord]

I'm so sorry, I hope he improves soon.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I’m very sorry to read this.

 

[Bernster]

Gosh v sorry to read that x

 

[Caol Ila]

Poor lad and poor you. *big hugs*

 

[Cowpony]

So sorry to hear that. Fingers crossed for you both x

 

[Red-1]

Fingers crossed he picks up when the weather changes again. X

 

[Peglo]

Sorry to hear he’s been unwell. Glad he’s feeling a bit better and hope it continues.

 

[misst]

Just a hug from me I am afraid but I really hope things improve and that you can enjoy him again x

 

[Nicnac]

Hope he keeps well as he can. He's such a lovely boy.

 

[Dave's Mam]

Huge hugs.

 

[notsoluckyhorseshoes]

So sorry that happened I wish you and your boy the best x

 

[Gloi]

Poor boy xx

 

[lozzles]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Mine wasnt as severe but having always had a low grade dust allergy his became much worse after a virus. Needing inhalers and ventipulmin for the first time ever. It was horrible to see him struggling. After a period of time his flare up calmed down and he's been living out medication free since. Hopefully this flare up will calm down and he'll go back to his more manageable level after this round of extra meds ??

 

[splashgirl45]

so sorry.. i assume you have tried 24/7 out ...that worked for a mare i took on, she was going to be PTS due to COPD and i took her on when she was 13 and with careful management, for the first year out 24/7 and then in at night with haylege and wet feeds for the rest of her life.. she did all riding club events and lots of hacking , lost her at 35 to ringbone and sidebone not COPD..

 

[rextherobber]

So sorry to hear this, one of mine has COPD, but is OK living out with haylge rather than hay, but it was so scary...fingers crossed for a happier outcome than the vet predicts.

 

[Widgeon]

I'm so sorry. Vets aren't always right though, they can't be fortune tellers - try not to despair too much right now. Everything crossed that this settles down and you can maybe even work out what triggered it. Thank goodness for your lovely vet who got him through it. x

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Don't they break your heart? I hope he improves lots quickly.

 

[eahotson]

So very sorry to hear that.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Sorry to hear this..poor Shy…sending get better vibes to you…

 

[Ratface]

What a worry. I'm sending prayers up for both of you.
Much love.

 

[Rumtytum]

So sorry, it must have been terrifying for you and your beautiful Shy boy. Sending every best wish and positive vibe to you both.

 

[Tarragon]

So sorry for you both! It must have been awful to see your beautiful boy suffering. Your heart will know what is the best thing to do.

 

[Shysmum]

Thankyou so much everyone! He's a bit better today. Another 3 weeks of intensive meds to go yet, then I think he will be on Voraxin (eucalyptus stuff) for life. In the summer he coughs and coughs, which is what I got the vet out for in the first place. I would ride and he would cough. But now it's his breathing, with no cough. It's just heartbreaking. Hes also had a course of antibiotics for a raised temperature.

Management is the key issue I know, but it makes no difference whatsoever whether hes in or out ?‍ I'm just going to take each day as it comes. At least the dreadful sweating has eased up. Re hoovering the stable tomorrow. Vet says cardboard bedding... fat chance in France!

 

[onlytheponely]

They do have it here.

https://www.equideos.com/card-box-20kg.html

All the best for a good recovery.

 

[AmyMay]

Thankyou so much everyone! He's a bit better today. Another 3 weeks of intensive meds to go yet, then I think he will be on Voraxin (eucalyptus stuff) for life. In the summer he coughs and coughs, which is what I got the vet out for in the first place. I would ride and he would cough. But now it's his breathing, with no cough. It's just heartbreaking. Hes also had a course of antibiotics for a raised temperature.

Management is the key issue I know, but it makes no difference whatsoever whether hes in or out ?‍ I'm just going to take each day as it comes. At least the dreadful sweating has eased up. Re hoovering the stable tomorrow. Vet says cardboard bedding... fat chance in France!

I’m going to ask the inevitable…..

 

[Cragrat]

That sounds really scary - I hope he continues to improve. How frustrating not to know the cause!

Cardboard bedding is fantastic. It'sthe only truly dust free bedding IMHO . I hope you can source some over there.

 

[FestiveG]

Has he had a cushings test? The previous appy had an awful episode the summer before she was put on prescend, emergency vet visit, steroids etc etc and she was much better with her breathing after the cushings was diagnosed and treated.
Everything crossed for the lad

 

[Rumtytum]

Thankyou so much everyone! He's a bit better today. Another 3 weeks of intensive meds to go yet, then I think he will be on Voraxin (eucalyptus stuff) for life. In the summer he coughs and coughs, which is what I got the vet out for in the first place. I would ride and he would cough. But now it's his breathing, with no cough. It's just heartbreaking. Hes also had a course of antibiotics for a raised temperature.

Management is the key issue I know, but it makes no difference whatsoever whether hes in or out ?‍ I'm just going to take each day as it comes. At least the dreadful sweating has eased up. Re hoovering the stable tomorrow. Vet says cardboard bedding... fat chance in France!

Everything crossed for you and Shy ?

 

[Shysmum]

Vet not suggested a Cushings test yet, will ask. He cant be feeling too bad as he broke out of his field onto the lane this afternoon ???.

Still wheezy breathing and slightly sweaty, no cough. Much improved so far. I'm getting the Hoover into the stable tomorrow, once we've fixed the broken fence.

It feels like a bereavement that our riding will be severely curtailed. We used to hack for miles together. Who wants to put a girth on a COPD horse, even when well ? but we do go out bareback.