VERY DIFFICULT POST ?

[Fjord]

I've nothing useful to add, I just wanted to say I'm sorry you are having to face such a difficult decision.

 

[Shysmum]

Im sorry to hear about Shy.
As his symptoms appear sporadic - acute attacks and being completely fine. I wonder, as mentioned already, if another location may help him, as cause hasn’t yet been found.

Often we read on threads that someone’s horse was struggling with something seemingly chronic, with unknown cause, only for the horse to recover completely with a yard move.
How long has Shy had respiratory issues? Has he ever had a few months away at another yard and be fine?

As you are moving internationally, and would move Shy with you if he was healthier, have you considered boarding both Shy and Pepsi at a retirement livery/grass livery near to you now, for a few weeks/months, as you organise your move, as a test to see how he does at a different yard? If he does well, improves, then you can consider a yard move is better for him, and do an international move, with stops, with both horses.
If he doesn’t improve, the difficult decision seems inevitable.

It’s a last ditch test to see if current yard/environment , for whatever reason, is contributing/causative of his respiratory issues. He’s dear to you obviously, and if you really want to try everything, that’s the last thing i’d try, before making a final decision.

Thankyou for your post x Shy and Pepsi have just been on a 2 week holiday, about 30 miles from home, while we were in the UK. The first ten days he was in trouble ( and I wish they'd called the vet out as he clearly needed intervention). Now back home, he is recovering well, sweated up, but it is warm here and he has his winter coat. I have a feeling that things will come to a head before long. All I want is my boys back in the UK with us x

 

[Shysmum]

We are moving from France, to Yarm, NE England, and I'm searching for livery there for the two boys atm x

 

[motherof2beasts!]

Can you not clip him and try antihistamines? Mine didn’t respond to ventopulmin but has 15 antihistamines a day no issues since!

 

[Highmileagecob]

I read an article years ago that suggested omega 3 may have some effect on supporting lung health. I started to feed Equilibra balancer, and have definitely noticed a reduction in the frequency of the asthma attacks. I can't honestly say that the severity has been reduced, and very little seems to relieve them once they start. One thing I can say with certainty with my cob is that stress is a major player. His worst attack came about from the introduction of a new bully-boy horse into the herd. The horse only stayed three months and then moved on, but every time a new horse moves on, he will go into asthma if the horse is aggressive or stressy. Very difficult to manage until everyone settles down.

 

[Goldenstar]

I certainly think you seriously consider part clipping before travel .
I would do it perhaps now so he can acclimatise and keep him unrugged .

 

[nagblagger]

Good news he's so much happier. Would the change of environment 30 miles away and then the stress of coming home trigger this attack.
If stress is a contributing factor to the severity of attacks, could you very mildly sedate him for the journey home.
(didn't know where Yarm was so googled it - only 318 miles from me!)

 

[Shysmum]

Shy had another attack last night, heaving and in distress. Gave him ventipulmin, and was going to call the vet for cortisone this morning, but he'd improved. He was in a trance like state, not keen on food (!) and distant. Heaving mildly today. Oh how I wish I could take my boy out for a ride again ?

 

[Connemara24]

I'm so sorry your in this situation it is so distressing to see them like that especially when you love them so much. Where I work a horse up there struggles with breathing, he is fed honey, garlic and they let him smell peppermint oils can't remember the other one. Haven't read the hole thread so not sure if you have tried it there was an improvement with him. Maybe try clipping him like others have said. Hope he gets better soon ?

 

[nagblagger]

Are these attacks getting more frequent? Could it be related to weather change or wind direction blowing spores over from a certain area?

 

[Highmileagecob]

Poor Shy, and poor you. It's difficult isn't it. You appear to be dealing with asthma rather than an allergy, as the random attacks and severity do not seem to fit any pattern. Maybe call your vet in and discuss long term therapy to hold the condition down to a manageable level and prevent further lung damage. Each attack deprives areas of the lung of oxygen, in my understanding, and once damaged, they do not recover.

 

[ester]

I dont understand why you won’t use proven inhaled medications ?‍, we were using a foot pump nebuliser on a riding school pony 20 years ago. Why wouldn’t you want to relieve suffering?

 

[onlytheponely]

I am in France and have a foot pump nebuliser. PM me if you'd like it posted over to you.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Shy had another attack last night, heaving and in distress. Gave him ventipulmin, and was going to call the vet for cortisone this morning, but he'd improved. He was in a trance like state, not keen on food (!) and distant. Heaving mildly today. Oh how I wish I could take my boy out for a ride again ?

Not read all the post- put clearly he is in a lot of distress sometimes.

I know it is hard but really do think you need to give him the last act of kindness

Its not going go get better. is it no matter how hard it is, I am one to give every chance to a horse and have done with mine.

I have one with EAD and asthma and a livery with asthma his sounds like a whole k deck of cards



Hope it goes smoothly what every you decide.

 

[ponynutz]

OP can you tell us why you're not keen on using an inhaler on Shy? I think it'd help a lot of us understand your situation. If you won't use the inhaler I'd PTS. I'm really not keen on PTS (as I'm sure most have seen on other similar threads) but I really do feel very upset by poor Shy's predicament and I honestly think it'd be a kindness atp.

 

[pinkfluffy]

Firstly, I am so sorry for you and Shy. There is nothing worse than watching your beloved horse suffer. My boy had asthma/COPD for 20 yrs and I understand the constant worry and strain.
I used a paediatric spacer and mask (Beclomethasone) which he had for 20 years. I know it won't work for every horse but I found it very effective as a long-term treatment. He did have attacks during that time when he needed steroid injections and a week of oral steroids. I know not every horse is suited to inhaler treatments. Our vets once tried a new inhaler that went right up the nostril and my boy couldn't run away fast enough.

Have you tried Dilaterol Syrup instead of Ventipulmin powder? It was a game changer for me - not only did he find it yummy it was so much more effective at relieving any acute symptoms. I also found that spores/pollen seasons set my boy off, anything musty or smelly (bonfire night was awful) because by this point he had such a sensitive nose and respiratory system that the slightest smell set him off. He became allergic to things as he aged and they all were linked to his COPD. Random things like buttercups etc., medicines he'd had for a decade would suddenly give him an asthma attack. I found keeping him as cool as possible eased a lot of his symptoms - summer was a nightmare and I had so many midnight vet visits when it was hot. Also, any anxiety/upset would trigger a bad week for him. Only ever ate soaked wet hay or steamed hay. A sniff of dry hay and he was coughing.

I don't know if any of this helps but I can only send you and your beautiful horse all the hope and hugs I can.

 

[Red-1]

Shy had another attack last night, heaving and in distress. Gave him ventipulmin, and was going to call the vet for cortisone this morning, but he'd improved. He was in a trance like state, not keen on food (!) and distant. Heaving mildly today. Oh how I wish I could take my boy out for a ride again ?

This is how Rigsby was before he had inhaled steroids. He would seem Ok, then it would come, and then the Ventipulmin was too late.

As I have said, I do 'get' why you would be reluctant to give steroids; I spent a year keeping Rigsby safe from lami, and to do something that put him at risk was very scary.

However, when he was having attacks of coughing, it was either PTS or steroids. I really had nothing to lose (well, apart from £££s, but he is worth it). It has transformed him. He is now a normal horse. Yes, he has had to have an inhaler a couple of times a day, but it means he has enjoyed his summer.

TBH, it sounds like it is no longer practicable for Shy to live without either steroid inhalers or PTS. The same situation as Rigs. I can only relate our experience. Rigs is now settled, happy and in work. The inhalers aren't even that expensive or difficult to administer.

That said, if he has a lami attack, that will be it. I am settled with that, as I know I will have done anything I can do.

That said (again) I would support you in PTS now, as Shy is obviously compromised. I am just confused as you do seem to appreciate having him in your life.

 

[pinkfluffy]

Also meant to say about medicines in particular: paracetamol made mine agitated and triggered his COPD. Vet said it can make some jittery. Bute as well after 25 yrs of no problems randomly caused a lot of COPD related issues for him and made him quite ill very quickly. Despite being riddled with arthritis, for his last year he was on a low dose of oral steroids and nothing else.

 

[moandben]

Just wondered what you used to make Shy better ?

 

[luckyoldme]

Bloody hell. Sorry to read your update, it's your call and a horrible situation to be in.

 

[Birker2020]

All I know is that my wobblers horse who was only 10 couldn't be helped when he was diagnosed at Liverpool hospital. He was my heart horse, I'd have done anything for that horse, I loved him more than I've ever loved a horse. I begged the consultant to spare his life and said I'd keep him as a field ornament even though it meant I'd go without a ridden horse as I couldn't afford two on livery.

When the consultant said that he was so ataxic that he could fall down at any time and not be able to rise and I thought about him out in a muddy rain covered field struggling to get up it was an easy decision to make. I'd have hated that ending for him, instead he went with dignity.

If Shy is heaving and in distress then that can't be nice for him, its not a pleasant feeling and it must be scary. Sometimes we have to separate what we want for the good of our horse and to alleviate suffering. I am so sorry you are going through this but I do agree with others who have said it might be time. x

 

[TPO]

Bloody hell. Sorry to read your update, it's your call and a horrible situation to be in.

This is an "old" thread. This is: the new one:



https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/so-shy-is-going-to-a-retirement-home-😞.824428/

 

[luckyoldme]

Ty

This is an "old" thread. This is: the new one:



https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/so-shy-is-going-to-a-retirement-home-?.824428/

,
Ty...I popped in had a look then did a runner ?????