We tested him for allergies and his bloodwork came back with a slew of offending allergens. I opted for the immunotherapy route, because I wanted to treat the cause not just the symptoms. There is no cure for allergies, but good management can go a long way. I remember asking about how long a horse has to have immunotherapy shots. The answer was three to five years.
At the time I thought, "yikes" that is a long time, but, I don't care, I love my horse and I am going to make the commitment.
Two years later, I am starting to wonder what that three to five year timeline meant...
Harley is coughing again. I didn't even get him off the first round of meds and we are back at square one starting a new round. The barn owner has had to text me several times this week, because he keeps having flare ups. I have stopped putting on my riding pants when I go to the barn. I don't have time to ride these days anyway, but it doesn't mean that I don't miss it terribly.
Three to five years.
If you read horse blogs long enough you know that sometimes things go bad and the owners write about it and we all cry and then thank our lucky stars that it isn't happening to us. I do not want to be on the other side of that. I am really worried though.
We are going to start him on a different medicine. A bronchial dilator. I think the immunotherapy is going to sit on the shelf for a while. Did it help at all?
I just want my horse to feel better and now.
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| Love you. |
Awww, I hope the bronchial dilator is helpful for him! Hate to see them suffering and not be able to tell us what is going on.I'll be keeping you guys in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteCould the allergies be compounded by a bit of COPD? Or can allergies lead to the development of COPD - I don't know the answer to that question. Broncial dilators are used to manage the symptoms of COPD - primarily inflammation in the airways.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have read, allergies can lead to reactive obstructive airway (ROA, formerly COPD), although my vet has not used those words to describe my horse. Based on his current difficulties, I think he is demonstrating ROA, which is something that I have avoided stating up to now.
DeleteOur Lily developed ROA (thank you for the terminology reminder) when she was about 15. We managed it for a while with bronchial dilators, but she had to be retired from her career as a show jumper. We then moved her to a barn where she could live outside 24/7, and her symptoms gradually improved to the point that medication is no longer required. Wishing you the best of luck with this.
DeleteOops. I still got it wrong.
DeleteRAO
Recurrent Airway Obstruction
Poor Harley. I hope you find something that works.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sentiments.
DeleteI hope the dilator helps Harley. I think it will. Good luck, I know how hard this is on both of you.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right.
Delete:( Wishing you a lot of luck with this new medication!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
ReplyDeletesh**.... sorry to hear the immunotherapy isn't working, it sounded great when you first described it. I really hope the broncho-dilator works. Have you ever tried a nose-net?
ReplyDeleteDoes a towel count? I've used one as a mask for him while grooming.
DeleteHugs
ReplyDeleteAppreciated.
DeleteUgh! Allergies suck!! Chrome has sweet itch so although it's different kind of allergy I still sympathize with you. I hope the inhaler works. What did the testing show that he is allergic to? Dust, pollen, mold?? I've never had a horse allergy tested so I'm not even sure what they are tested for. Give him a hug for me please!
ReplyDeleteSeveral types of tree pollen and some random things like apples. Since there is no pollen out now, the problem seems to be a general airway sensitivity. Temperature fluctuations seem to be causing the coughing, as I just about predicted which days were going to be bad for him. If the weather would just pick a temp and stick for a while that would help him tremendously.
DeleteI have had a few friends use the inhalers and they do work "right now" and give them relief. Hopefully it works for you and gives you time to find another medication or treatment! Fingers & hooves crossed!
ReplyDeleteDo you happen to know what delivery system they used?
DeleteThinking of you. I haven't had this particular problem, but have sure had plenty of other issues in my career with horses and I know how stressful it is when one's much loved horse is not right in a persistent long term way. We so desperately want to fix them and heal their problems. I hope Harley is much improved on the new meds.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We need to get him over this hump.
DeleteYou probably have already checked into this but thought I'd mention it anyway - you never know. Years ago when we used to board our horses out, a new boarder came to the barn. Her horse was fine for a awhile then all of a sudden he started having coughing problems etc. they tried everytthing and couldn't find the problem. She eventually brought her horse home. In a very short period of time the horse was fine. It turned out that the new shavings the barn owner was getting was coming from a plant where they processed other things. Those other things were causing the allergies etc. Her horse is fine with shavings, it just depends where and how they are processed.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention the shavings. I think he did have a problem with a new brand one time. He couldn't stop doing the Flehmen response. Now, he is out 24/7 so no shavings. I wish it were a simple solution!
DeleteBoy, I really hate to hear that he has not improved. I am worried about the big guy. I know you are doing everything possible. I am sorry you are going through this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. I feel like I am on egg shells with him right now, but he seems to be okay.
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