Heaves

Look at that wild mane!  It was windy...

Last Sunday I took Star out for a trail ride.  We didn't get too far along when the coughing started.  At first I didn't think too much of it.  A cough here and there isn't that big of a deal, right?  We started trotting and then the coughing was constant...WTH??  We turned around and headed home.  Staying at a walk seemed to keep the coughing at bay, even though a cough here and there would come out.  We were maybe 15 minutes out when the coughing started so we only had about 15 minutes to get back.  My mind was going 100 mph about what was going on with her the whole way home.  We had been out on the same trail the weekend before and she was FINE!!  Allergies??  Respiratory infection??

When I got home hubby was surprised to see me back so soon.  I told him what was going on while I untacked her in the yard.  He was holding Star when he pointed out that Star had a small stream of blood coming out of her nose! 

I got my phone out and started googling nosebleeds in horses.  That didn't help calm my nerves! 

I brought her to the water and she took a few big drinks and then I put her in her stall with a fan blowing.  I was hoping that she was coughing because she was thirsty and hot...  I put her back out with the other horses after only an hour in her stall.  She was happy to be back out with her friends!

Over the next day or so we kept a close eye on her.  She would still cough here and there so we decided to call the vet.  The vet told us it could be one of the following three things:  1. Allergies; 2. Heaves; 3. Upper respiratory infection.  Honestly, I was hoping for the infection so we could give her some antibiotics and move on.  But since I wasn't 100% sure on that I made an appointment for the vet to come out and take a look at her.  That was today.

The results?  Heaves (as you probably guess by the title of this blog post!).  The vet said that because we caught it so early that she will probably live a happy horsey life for several more years.  We have her on some medication for a few days and then I'm supposed to take her out for a ride to see how she does. Oh, and she isn't allowed in the barn at all for any reason whatsoever.  I guess I better buy a nice heavy blanket for those cold winter nights!  She's now on 24/7 turn out and thankfully has a nice lean-to for protection from the elements.  We also need to wet her hay down before every feeding to be sure there isn't any dust in it so she doesn't get another flare up.  The fewer the flare ups the better!

This is my first experience with heaves and will be a learning process for me.  If anyone reading this has any knowledge or experience they would be willing to share I sure would appreciate it!!

That's all for now...until next time!



Quote for the day:
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

-Benjamin Franklin