Heaves treatements???

[Quilting1]

I am wondering what people use for treating heaves? My horse was diagnosed about 4 years ago and has been doing pretty well up to now, but this year he is worse. I talked to my vet who suggested antihystimines (sp?) but I was hoping there might be a natural type of treatment that someone has used that they like.

[seerfarm]

I used this product on a 26 year old mare with COPD, allergies and heaves, with great success.


http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/pro...B0&pf_id=11572


Seminole Feed also makes a great feed that works well for heavie and allergy prone horses...it contain alot of natural herbs that are beneficial.



http://www.seminolefeed.com/Wellness...ssCalmCool.htm



Are you also wetting your horses feed, hay and stall down?

[Quilting1]

He is on pasture now and not on hay but when he is on hay I have been wetting it down.

The first one said to feed it 3 times a day and I'm not sure how I'd do that during the week since my dh and I both work, but I wonder if we did it in the morning, then when we get home from work and then before bed?

[snickers]

I use the same product that Seerfarm posted for about 3 years and it woks.
If my mare is having a bad day she gets 10 cc's by mouth of Dex.
So far she has had a great summer.

[bummbles99]

When my 18yr old mare has a serious flare up from dusty hay, only thing that works is the Dexamethazone(sp) for a few days then tapered off. My farrier has a race horse, and they get some before a race to help them breathe.

[seerfarm]

Originally Posted by Quilting1

He is on pasture now and not on hay but when he is on hay I have been wetting it down.

The first one said to feed it 3 times a day and I'm not sure how I'd do that during the week since my dh and I both work, but I wonder if we did it in the morning, then when we get home from work and then before bed?

Yes, this can be dosed twice daily. You just give 3cc's in AM and 3cc's in PM, or split the full daily dose in half.

[mlh619]

Wendals herbs has a product can't think of the name that seems to work short term. My sister does ventipulmin and bute when her horse gets bad, once in the morning once at night for 10 days. He starts to sound better after the first couple days. You have to get that from the vet though.

She has also used flax seed in the past 1/2 cup ground once a day. It is a long term thing and seemed to help - also made his coat shiny!

[Horse poor]

I used Cough Free, but I can't remember what company it came from. It was a mix of numerous herbs that she ate amazingly well. I really liked what it did for my mare who had mild heaves. We also kept her area damp so there was no dust.

[Quilting1]

I think Cough Free was the product I've heard of before that someone told me about and really liked. As long as I can feed the stuff seerfarm spoke of I'll probably check that out too!

Thanks!

[FANNIESMOM]

I have a 11 y/o paint that has heaves very badly. I give her the Cough Free and it works great! Also she gets MSM and Antihist along with dexamethasone Shot every day.

When she has a bad day I give her Primatin mist tablets crushed up in her feed. They do help. She gets 6 of them acording to her body weight. They are behind the counter in the pharmacy.

[Quilting1]

Up till now he really has not coughed bad - but did cough in the winter. Now I hear him cough sometimes this time of year. I like to start with natural type remedies unless situation is serious enough to warrant medications a vet has to prescribe. I will probably try the Cough Free and if that doesn't take care of it or isn't effective I will probably get antihistamines from the vet.

Thanks!!!

[FANNIESMOM]

The Cough Free is for more than just cough. Fannie Never coughs. The Antihist is just guaifenesin. You can get it at most feed stores.

[Quilting1]

That's about the only thing Bo does is cough.

[seerfarm]

Cough can be related to airway restriction from irritation, which can also limit lung capacity and breathing.

[Quilting1]

My vet has diagnosed him with mild COPD.

[seerfarm]

I suspected...Personally I would not try the Cough Free. I have not ever had good luck using it on horses with anything other than allergies. Some horses won't eat it, it has a stronge smell.

That all natural Equio-Pathic stuff I mentioned is a lower dose, can be put right in the mouth (actually preferred method) without risk of them not wanting to eat, or loosing some of the dose through spilled feed.

[Amy]

Originally Posted by FANNIESMOM

I have a 11 y/o paint that has heaves very badly. I give her the Cough Free and it works great! Also she gets MSM and Antihist along with dexamethasone Shot every day.

I'm curious about the long term effects of dexamethasone in horses. I'm an RN, and dexamethasone (brand name Decadron in humans) is a steroid. Particularly, decadron spikes blood sugar levels short term, and any steroid has serious side effects when used long term. I mean, sometimes, the benefits are worth the risk, and I would imagine it is the same for horses... but something I would discuss with your vet. In humans long-term steroid effects include weight gain, diabetes, cushing's syndrome, and osteoporosis.

Not trying to criticize, just thought it might be good to hear another point of view.

[seerfarm]

Amy, your thoughts are correct in that some of the same effects can happen in horses. Further complications can come into play if a horse develops an issue such as Cushing's, laminitis and founder increased risk with use in ponies.


Dexamethasone For Veterinary Use:
Commonly prescribed by vets for:
Anti-inflammatory



Basic Information
Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid with approximately 25 times the anti-inflammatory potency of naturally occurring cortisol. Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone are important in normal protein, carbohydrate, and fat metabolism and for their role in controlling inflammation. These drugs have both strong beneficial effects and a definite potential to cause negative side effects. Dexamethasone is commonly used in both small and large animal veterinary medicine. It may be given by injection, inhalation, orally or topically. Preparations for topical use may include other active ingredients such as antibiotics, antifungals, or miticides.

Dogs and Cats
Dexamethasone is used systemically in high doses in emergency situations for anaphylactic reactions, spinal chord trauma, or shock. It is used in the management and treatment of immune mediated disease such as immune mediated hemolytic anemia, or thombocytopenia: some cancers: allergic reactions such as asthma, hives, and itching: inflammatory diseases and some neurologic diseases. Dexamethasone is also used topically in the treatment of a variety skin and eye problems.

Horses
Dexamethasone is given systemically to decrease inflammatory and immune responses. It is used in high doses in emergencies for anaphylactic reactions, spinal chord trauma, or shock. It is used in lower doses to treat allergic reactions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), hives, itching, inflammatory diseases including arthritis and for the management and treatment of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. It is sometimes used systemically as a "performance enhancing drug" because corticosteroids decrease inflammation, possibly enhance glucose metabolism (there is some debate about this), and may have some mood elevating properties. Other corticosteroids are preferred for intra-articular use.

Side Effects
• Systemic side effects to corticosteroids are generally dependent on dose and duration of treatment. Adrenocorticosteroids have effects on every body system.

Precautions
• Chronic or inappropriate use of corticosteroids including dexamethasone can cause life threatening hormonal and metabolic changes.

• Adverse effects due to corticosteroid treatment usually occur with long-term administration of the drug, especially when high doses are used. Alternate day therapy with short acting preparations is preferred. Animals who have received long-term therapy should be withdrawn slowly by tapering the dosage and prolonging the interval between doses.

• Corticosteroids suppress immune response. Animals receiving systemic corticosteroids may be more susceptible to bacterial or viral infections. Systemic corticosteroids can mask signs of infection, such as an elevated temperature.

• Polyuria, polydipsia, and muscle wasting can be seen with prolonged corticosteroid use.

• Corticosteroids can cause or worsen gastric ulcers.

• Corticosteroids should be avoided or used very carefully in young animals both because of immune suppression and the risk of GI ulcers.

• Corticosteroids have been implicated as a cause of laminitis in horses and ponies. Some corticosteroids are thought to be more likely to cause laminitis than others and the dexamethasone drugs have not historically been considered to be in the higher risk category. Pony breeds may be more susceptible to developing laminitis than horses.

• Although corticosteroids may be used in healthy older horses, they should not be used in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. These horses may already have high levels of natural corticosteroids and are prone to laminitis and suppressed immune function.

• Corticosteroids should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Large doses in early pregnancy may be teratogenic. Corticosteroids can induce labor in cattle and has been used to terminate pregnancy in bitches.


Drug Interactions
• When diuretics such as furosemide are given with corticosteroids, there is an increased risk of electrolyte imbalances due to calcium and potassium losses.

• The immune response to vaccination may be reduced when corticosteroids are given at the same time.

• The risk of GI ulcers may be increased if corticosteroids and other drugs prone to causing ulcers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are given at the same time.

• Corticosteroids should not be given intravenously with fluids containing calcium.


Overdose
Short-term administration of even large doses is unlikely to cause serious harmful systemic effects due adrenal suppression. Problems associated with long-term administration of dexamethasone relate to suppression of normal adrenal function, iatrogenic Cushing's disease and metabolic crisis due to abrupt withdrawal.

[kanoo32]

Originally Posted by Amy

I'm curious about the long term effects of dexamethasone in horses. I'm an RN, and dexamethasone (brand name Decadron in humans) is a steroid. Particularly, decadron spikes blood sugar levels short term, and any steroid has serious side effects when used long term. I mean, sometimes, the benefits are worth the risk, and I would imagine it is the same for horses... but something I would discuss with your vet. In humans long-term steroid effects include weight gain, diabetes, cushing's syndrome, and osteoporosis.

Not trying to criticize, just thought it might be good to hear another point of view.

You are right on track......

It wastes the immune system, damages the adrenals, promotes hypothyroidism, and cushings, can cause laminitis, and obesity. just to start with. But horse won't itch! Oh, and it's cheap! As usual, an easy fix!

[FANNIESMOM]

Originally Posted by Amy

I'm curious about the long term effects of dexamethasone in horses. I'm an RN, and dexamethasone (brand name Decadron in humans) is a steroid. Particularly, decadron spikes blood sugar levels short term, and any steroid has serious side effects when used long term. I mean, sometimes, the benefits are worth the risk, and I would imagine it is the same for horses... but something I would discuss with your vet. In humans long-term steroid effects include weight gain, diabetes, cushing's syndrome, and osteoporosis.

Not trying to criticize, just thought it might be good to hear another point of view.

Thanks. I to am a APRN. My vet is who put her on the shots. She gets 3cc(2mg/cc) per day IM. We draw labs on her every two weeks(liver enzyme , cbc and bmp). She only takes the injections from June to Septemberish depending on the Ragweed pollen. It is very commen to use Glucocorticoid hormones on a long term basis. We slowly bring her to a therapeutic level then when the medication is no longer needed we taper her off of it.