Respiratory supplement recommendations??

[Cowpony101]

Hi everyone I am looking for a respiratory supplement fotrr my pony with COPD. He was on ventipulmin from the vet but it is expensive and he gets through one pot every 3 or 4 weeks which adds up to a lot! He is also on D&H breathe free but we think something a little stronger is needed (such as ventipulmin but cheaper!) anyone have any recommedations? I have looked at equine america, global airways and respirin on viovet website but want to know what people think/recommend.

 

[shortstuff99]

I use respirair boost by omega equine which has worked well. However, I'm not sure any herbal supplements will be as strong as ventipulmin. I would also recommend steaming hay if you are feeding that, that really helps mine too.

 

[TPO]

Science Supplements RespairAid is quite good but it doesnt compare to ventipulmin, I dont think anything does.

It might be worth working out the price of a prescription and buying ventipulmin online rather than from the vet directly.

The science supplements respiratory supplement is £45 iirc. I just bought ventipulmin from Animed for £52 including postage and prescription was £16. To buy ventipulmin from the vet is ⁰£69. I got a prescription for two tubs so saved £20 buying it online.

 

[be positive]

I would use ventipulmin, on prescription, and reduce the rate very gradually, they can stay on a maintenance dose which I have found in the past can be a tiny amount once they are over the initial acute stage and ensure you have done as much as you can to get the management correct, if you have him outside as much as possible, put him on haylage rather than hay, a few of mine struggled on soaked hay but were almost totally clear on haylage, one stopped meds completely once he went onto haylage.

 

[PurBee]

Natural vitamin E for airway issues.
if pony is mainly on hay, vit e is much much lower in hay than grass. Horses tend to be lowest in it in spring due to winter mainly on hay.

 

[Cowpony101]

I would use ventipulmin, on prescription, and reduce the rate very gradually, they can stay on a maintenance dose which I have found in the past can be a tiny amount once they are over the initial acute stage and ensure you have done as much as you can to get the management correct, if you have him outside as much as possible, put him on haylage rather than hay, a few of mine struggled on soaked hay but were almost totally clear on haylage, one stopped meds completely once he went onto haylage.

Yes that’s a great idea, originally we thought of putting him on an alternative supplement and then give him ventipulmin before competing but that sounds like a much better idea so will give that a try. He’s out 24/7 for the summer at the moment and will be on steamed hay when he is stabled

 

[Cowpony101]

Science Supplements RespairAid is quite good but it doesnt compare to ventipulmin, I dont think anything does.

It might be worth working out the price of a prescription and buying ventipulmin online rather than from the vet directly.

The science supplements respiratory supplement is £45 iirc. I just bought ventipulmin from Animed for £52 including postage and prescription was £16. To buy ventipulmin from the vet is ⁰£69. I got a prescription for two tubs so saved £20 buying it online.

Thank you! Will try that!

 

[shortstuff99]

Yes that’s a great idea, originally we thought of putting him on an alternative supplement and then give him ventipulmin before competing but that sounds like a much better idea so will give that a try. He’s out 24/7 for the summer at the moment and will be on steamed hay when he is stabled

Are you competing affiliated or unaffiliated? As ventipulmin is a banned substance and you can be caught out if spot tested.

 

[Carrottom]

Pulmoease worked wonders ime, initially alongside the ventapulmin introduced gradually, then reduced ventapulmin and kept that for episodes.

 

[Cowpony101]

Are you competing affiliated or unaffiliated? As ventipulmin is a banned substance and you can be caught out if spot tested.

we are doing BE100s and BSJA but surely as a vet prescription then it would be ok? I had no idea thank you for telling me!!

 

[shortstuff99]

we are doing BE100s and BSJA but surely as a vet prescription then it would be ok? I had no idea thank you for telling me!!

No sorry it doesn't count for vet exemption (or it didnt a couple of years ago!) I know someone who got caught out and fined.

 

[LegOn]

I used Equine America Ventilator when my old horse took a reaction to hay & was on a nebuliser & Ventapulmin, it worked so well for him! Highly recommend it. Also highly recommend a course of Flixotide through a nebuliser - stuff is amazing! I used a human nebuliser and just held it over his nostril and covered the other with my hand!

 

[NOISYGIRL2]

I 2nd science supplements respiraid, my friends horse was having terrible issues allergic to everything when they tested him 2 years ago, since being on this he's fine, was given seasonally but I think she gives all the time now

 

[P.forpony]

Tried lots of expensive things for my mare who would always cough while warming up, with a mild dust sensitivity, nothing made much difference.
Last resort before calling vet, tried a herbal blend off eBay from a small uk company that mix their own. Not coughed once since!
It’s called super breath xtra, I get it in big bags online and it’s pennies compared to most other options.