Roarer ??? breathing noise

[jayvee]

Hi all, this is my first post! ....
8 months ago we purchased a 7yo cob x clydesdale for my partner as a first horse. He has excelled in doing the job brilliantly but...
He makes a breathing noise when under pressure like cantering or even trotting up hills. He wants to give his very all but does appear to suffer abit and gets tired, then we feel bad making him do it!
We had the vet a while ago who done an endoscopy and found nothing out of the norm in the windpipe! (had this done as he kinda chokes, but again nothing found unusual there). We can't understand this roaring noise? To me- it sounds higher up. Like just inside the nostrils, and I think he has small nostrils in relation to his size, and I do also appreciate his breeding being on the heavy side. But I feel there is or something that can be done because he really wants to give more but can't. I wonder if ventapulmin could work? Even though there is no, and never has been, any discharge or persistant coughing.
We feel he has soo much to give but this breathing is hindering him in some way.
(The vet is happy with his heart rate at rest if that means anything and felt the breathing/noise would improve with fittness, -which it has, but we were expecting a better result to be honest).
Does anyone have similar experiences or advice? Would be much appreciated, thanks guys.

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

Kind of strange but do you have a recent picture....

 

[GTs]

Stella never 'struggled' as you described even though she made a gastly noise.

If your vet has looked at it I would get a referal to an equine hospital they are able to do more, and he might even go on the treadmill.

I think he will enjoy that - I used to think it would fun to ride a horse on the treadmill!!

 

[jayvee]

We have considered it, and may go down that route. Wonder if his weight would break the treadmill ? lol!

 

[Lucy_Ally]

Describe the noise, is it like a gurgling/snoring noise? If so he may have problems with his soft palate that upset his breathing. This is called dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP)and is usually only detected during exercise (so he would need to be endoscoped whilst on a treadmill).
If he looks like he is choking and is struggling with exercise and his larynx and pharynx look normal then it may well be DDSP. DDSP sometimes improves with fitness, but there aren't many treatment options other than surgery as it isn't due to infection but due to the soft palate being unable to maintain its position and blocking the airway. It has been related to sleep apnoea in humans (snoring that causes blocking of the aiways and cessation of breathing).
There have been a few posts about this recently if you look down the vet forum. Good luck.

 

[jayvee]

Thanks had a look at your 'bumped ones'. Its not a gurgling/snoring noise at all. More like a clean hollow noise (hope this makes sence). And only when under pressure, never at rest, walking or light trotting. The choke thing appears to have stemed from actually choking at some point before coming to us as now only appears to be a memory reflex habit. as he does this at every feed! -Throwing his head back at every swallow almost. We was alarmed at first but now slightly turn a blind eye to it, as every feed is eaten and he is always fine! But we do give it very sloppy and from the floor. He is not a bolter, infact pretty slow in eating.
Larynx and phlarynx showed fine in scope and no lesions in esophegus.
I don't recall the vet ever mentioning DDSP, maybe worth mentioning this to them. Will have to see if he will be covered in insurance to under go this method of finding out. It's all very wierd.

 

[allyrob]

hope your diagnosis is better than mine !! Allergic airways disease!!! Have u changed yr horses habitat or routine in terms of time spent at grass. We on ventapulmin, rubber matting, blue packed horse hage and dust free show mix.
any other advice wud b very much appreciated.