ridecamp@endurance.net: emphysema

emphysema

Ann Hatfield (keithr@nocdc.bc.ca)
Wed, 9 Jul 1997 23:21:09 -0700

I feel foolish asking this at all...but are any drugs truly useful against
emphysema, are any of these allowed in endurance competion? This spring I
conditioned my half Arab briefly for a couple of shows and as I did so I
noticed that she huffs and pufs in the classic 'heavey' manner after a good
gallop. Now granted she isn't in any kind of shape but I feel, dread, that
it is more than just winter's fat.

If what I suspect is mild emphysema turns out to be just that, is it
reasonable to think that she can continue to show fairly well? You folks
who show, is this going to eliminate her? For instance, after a hand gallop
when we drop to a walk and line up I notice she continues to breathe
heavily for a while after the other horses in line have stopped.

5 years ago, after an endurance race, she caught some kind of darn virus
and developed pneumonia from it. Ever after I felt she was not quite her
old 'go endlessly and easily' self. On one of the post-illnesses checks
the vet said she thought she could hear some lung sounds but that it would
go away. Then 3 winters ago I ended up feeding slightly mildewy hay for
about 2 weeks while I looked madly about for a replacement. With nowhere
to soak it I watered it down for feeding but all the horses coughed at
least a little. With replacement hay all of them stopped coughing but the
next spring, as I conditioned her, I saw this breathing pattern, to my
horror. She seemed to become conditioned but only reasonably well, I have
no heart monitor so rely on observation-not very accurate, I know, but I am
very familiar with this mare and how much she can (could) handle. I wasn't
able to go to the race in Kelowna, B.C. due to trailer problems (all those
months of work!) and do could not compare her performance to others. Since
that time I have only trail ridden her and shown a bit.

I have her up for sale but want to represent her fairly to prospective
buyers. Also am having a hard time selling her at all as she is: so
beautifully put together, and smooth, a generally very good trail horse as
well as being very mannerly at shows, keen to herd the neighbour's cows
down the road for him and generally an all-round good 'using' horse.

I will spend the money soon to have the vet come out and give me an
opinion on the amount of lung damage, if indeed this is the problem. But
if it is, and the emphysema is only mild or moderate, can one medicate
against it legally in endurance or shows? Even if the medication is legal
what is the chance of her being at all competitive? Is she to be sold as a
broodmare cus she is too much for a beginner or trail ambler. Sigh. Very
depressing.

Ann

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