Poor George.......

G

Gorgeous George

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Has just been diagnosed with COPD/RAO :( he's had coughs before, but just when I think I should get it checked out its gone and he's always been totally fine in himself, never out of breath, wheezing or puffing. Unfortunately his recent cough seemed different, so the vet came out and gave him anti b's and ventipulmin. The V really helped, but once it stopped he started to cough again :(

So on Friday George was scoped, he was such a good boy, he didn't move a muscle whilst it was done and actually fell asleep half way through :D

When the vet saw his airways he immediately made the diagnosis, although he is sending a sample off to the lab to make sure there is no underlying infection.

Once the results are back, the vet will come out with the inhaler that George has to have and teach me how to use it etc. - that sounds like it could be fun :eek:

He obviously also has woodchip bedding, soaked hay and as much turnout as possible. He's currently by the door in a well ventilated barn, but we have our name down for an outdoor stable.

I am kind of relieved I know what's wrong, and that I can now hopefully get on top of the problem.

Sorry, slightly pointless post, just wanted to share.
 
Not pointless at all.
It usually helps to share.

You must have been very worried about him. Hopefully now that you know what the problem is and the way to manage it, he will be fine.

Good luck! To you and George.
 
Poor george :( But at least you know what your dealing with now, fingers crossed he will be fighting fit and back to his old self again soon.
 
I'm going to say poor you more than poor George, he sounds like he's totally unfazed by the whole thing!

I'm sure now you know and can manage him accordingly he'll be absolutely fine :)
 
jesstickle said:
I'm going to say poor you more than poor George, he sounds like he's totally unfazed by the whole thing!

I'm sure now you know and can manage him accordingly he'll be absolutely fine :)
Click to expand...

This!

He'll be fine lass.

A friend's horse was diagnosed some years ago. So long as he's kept as you've described you'll do with George, and kept exercised and fit, he's grand :D
 
oh dear, but having had a horse with COPD you will soon adapt well, but defo get him outside as soon as possible.
You'll both be fine now its been diagnosed at least you know what your dealing with and can help him more now.
 
I am sorry to hear this, but you are already doing all the right things to help his condition, and the pony of a friend of mine was on an inhaler thingy, accepted it without fuss and was happily hunting and doing all PC activities well into his mid twenties.

You will both cope just fine, dont worry. x :)
 
Just to ease your mind re the inhaler...my horse had to use one in Spring last year. He is the spookiest ned on the planet and when he first saw it his eyes were out on stalks. I bribed him between each puff with polos and within a couple of days he was stood like a lamb. I didn't even need a headcollar. Good luck with George.
 
Don't despair. It's not as bad as it seems. My mare developed it 3 years ago - caused by dusty hay. She had a bad attack 2 years ago which neccessitated an inhaler for a few days, but she is now good.

She lived- and lives - out 24/7 anyway, with access to barns. The main thing we found is that she is now totally intolerant to hay - you can soak it until the cows come home - she still can't cope with it. BUT she's absolutely fine on bog standard haylage. That, and living out, are the two things that are really important to her particular case. She's kept at home, and my 2-3 liveries are told when they first enquire about coming that I will not have hay on the place (simply because she's as opportunist and one way or another may get at some).

I bought the inhaler mask (it's dead easy to use, by the way), but expensive at about £284, and with my vet's blessing I always have a supply of ***( I think it's Beconase, anyway it's the same inhalant that humana asthma sufferers use, I'm told) and also Ventopulmin. Thus if she does have an attack I can go straight into action without dragging a vet out in the middle of the night. It's only happened once, and I caught the attack long before it got serious.

The one thing I should say is that my mare (she's a cob) is in light work, hacking only, but that is to do with my advancing years, not her COPD.

I'm sure you will overcome this, and I wish you godspeed with your horse's recovery.
 
I also have found that soaking hay is not good enough to keep the airways clear, haylage is so much better and you do not have any problems when it is freezing, or in summer with it drying out. Management is the key, as you know, it can improve one of mine has become better rather than worse over the years, he is out as much as possible and has haylage he has only had one time in the last 6 years when he needed ventipulmin to help him, having almost lived on it when getting soaked hay.
Keeping him fit will also help keep airways open and clear.
 
Oh bless him, still, with you to look after him Im sure he'll do absolutely fine. As Ive said before, I love your posts, whatever they're about your love for George always shines through. He truly is one of the lucky ones.
 
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