Hi, all. This concerns seasonal heaves in my 14-year-old mustang. His whole life he had no symptoms until last summer, and they dissipated to nothing in the fall. But this past summer they returned and have not let up at all. He has always lived where we do now in South Carolina, so it’s really puzzling. Anyway, after trying spirulina powder, EO-3 fish oil, Aleira, and Respi-Free in various combinations, along with veterinarian-prescribed hydroxyzine and Ventipulmin with no improvement, I’m ready to risk a steroid treatment. I am terrified of laminitis. Although my guy is a hair under official horse height, he is not a pony breed as such, but 100% mustang. What I am seeking are testimonials of positive outcomes from this form of treatment in similar types of horses, or even episodes of mild laminitis that were temporary and for all intents and purposes eliminated/cured.
He will probably be fine.
I’d order the necessary supplies just in case but chances are you won’t need them.
Does he live outside 24/7? If not try that with the steroids. I have treated two severe cases over the years and both were fine with steroids but had to live outside.
Ask the vet about a steroid inhaler, I’ve been told by several vets the risk of lami from steroids is minimal when given this way. I had my pony on a beclomethasone inhaler for a couple of years and he was fine.
He does live out, with stall access. Thank you!
I’ll for sure do that. Thank you!
Good to hear, thank you!
I have a PPID (Cushings) horse with seasonal allergy induced heaves. Horses with PPID are not supposed to have long term steroids because of the laminitis risk.
My horse is on Prednisolone (liquid administered orally via syringe) and Hydroxyzine in season. This is the eleventh year he’s been getting it. Each year the season starts earlier and ends later. It was March 22 this spring, and mid November last fall.
I was told (5-6?) years ago that some researchers had attempted to induce laminitis with Prednisolone and were unsuccessful. Initially we started with 100mg/day, and were up to 300mg/day last year, with extra on bad days (forest fire smoke).
When he started on the medication for his PPID, I asked about conflict with his breathing medication because if I had to choose I was going to choose breathing. We did find his PPID very early, and regularly check that the medication is keeping it controlled, so he doesn’t have the usual long term PPID issues.
He is a TBxQH, started meds for heaves at 16, started PPID meds at 17, and is 26 years old. I started using a Bemer 4-6 times a week in March 2022, and this year have reduced his Prednisolone dose to 240mg/day. I could probably have gone down to 200mg, but he was doing really well and I didn’t want to mess with a good thing.
Whatever you choose to do, if you’re not seeing improvement within a week or two, get the vet involved again. Long term inflammation of lung tissue causes scar tissue, and once the lung tissue is scarred that lung capacity is gone for good. My horse has a little bit of scaring, audible as crackles when the stethoscope is over that part of his lungs. Listening to his lungs daily, and tracking his breath rate have been important tools in looking after my horse’s heaves.
Wow, that’s really good news! My vet prescribed a course of Dex that will take us to mid-November and pony’s symptoms all but ceased literally overnight. Also assured me his risk of laminitis is very small and I am happy with this decision. Thank you so much for the encouraging report!
