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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Sept 12, 2007 5:44:27 GMT -5
Have you ever heard of this?
“Equine chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD
"Archives
Young equestrian's dream of horse becomes nightmare
By MIKE FORNES
Ashley Ostroske fears that her horse, CoCoa, could be suffering from a potentially fatal equine disease. Her realization came after a full summer of working to pay for the 8-year-old horse.
Tribune Staff Writer
INVERNESS TOWNSHIP - Ashley Ostroske's dream of owning a horse came true this summer, thanks to a helping hand and strict discipline from her mother, plenty of hours making sandwiches at the Cheboygan Subway restaurant, and a determined effort to save the money to buy “CoCoa,” an 8-year-old Red Roan Appaloosa.
Now that Ashley's horse is almost paid for and she's back in school, she suspects that she faces an uphill battle to raise more money for veterinary care for CoCoa - if the horse survives a possibly fatal disease. Finding a veterinarian to care for the animal has been another struggle.
“She's coughed a lot ever since I've had her,” said the Cheboygan Area High School sophomore, “and it looks like she has heaves. It's a horse asthma. Her previous owner had given her all her shots and said the cough was normal when I bought her.”
Ashley, 15, paid $1,200 for CoCoa in May, thanks to a loan from her mother, Anna Ostroske, of Inverness Township. The family lives on wooded acreage and has a nicely fenced area that provides both shade, sun and room to roam for CoCoa.
“I looked at maybe 20 horses, but when I saw CoCoa I knew she was the one for me,” Ashley said while combing her horse's mane. “My mom said that if I went and got a job she would pay for the horse and I could pay her back. I have worked 35 hours per week ever since and gave up going to the movies and shopping with my friends, because every penny has gone to my mom to pay for the horse. It's just so sad that CoCoa's sick and I can't find a doctor for her.”
A check of local veterinarians turned up few who treat equine cases, and none that the Ostroske's spoke with would take on new patients, Ashley said. The young girl is fearful that her diagnosis of heaves is correct.
“Equine chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD, heaves, recurrent airway obstruction, chronic bronchitis or small airway disease) is a disease that has been recognized for centuries,” an equine veterinary guide states. “It is common in countries with cold climates such as ours, where horses are kept in barns for prolonged periods of time and where hay is often moldy. It is currently believed that COPD is caused by an allergic reaction to these molds when inhaled by horses. The disease affects primarily mature horses and is a common cause of a premature end to their athletic careers. The first clinical signs noted by an owner may be an occasional cough, after what appears to be a viral respiratory infection. The signs may then progress to paroxysmal coughing, exercise intolerance and severe impairment in lung function which can be fatal.”
Ashley says she has seen all the signs.
“She coughs and wheezes so bad, it's horrifying,” Ashley explained. “I really want to ride her and show her, but she can't go very far at all before she starts coughing and wheezing. She needs treatment. It doesn't always kill a horse, but it gets a lot worse as their lives go on until you have to have them put down. I'm afraid for a vet to come because I worry that they'll put her down.”
Ashley has started school with a cloud over her, knowing that she faces long hours at work to pay off the horse plus the bills for a doctor and medication that she feels are inevitable.
“I pay $20 per month towards the hay bill, but mom shares that,” Ashley said. “I've heard that medication for the disease is $200 per month. I have to work, but my mom says I have to keep my grades up if I work.”
Ashley said that her grades dropped when she first started work last spring.
“I've wanted a horse since I was a little girl,” she added. “I love her because you'll never find another like her. She doesn't bite or do anything bad. I figure that God gave her to me for a reason.”
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Post by LindaNY on Sept 12, 2007 7:49:29 GMT -5
Oh dear!!! That is so heartbreaking.  |
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Post by cheryl on Sept 12, 2007 10:29:38 GMT -5
That's too bad. I feel bad for the young girl. Shame on the seller for lying to the girl. She worked so hard for this.  |
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Post by muffin on Sept 12, 2007 12:43:26 GMT -5
That's quite the story! I feel bad for the little girl.
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Post by cocojax on Sept 12, 2007 12:53:50 GMT -5
Breaks your heart when you hear a story like that..
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Post by maryaz on Sept 12, 2007 15:04:11 GMT -5
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Sept 15, 2007 6:23:55 GMT -5
Thanks Mary.
This was a sad story but that's not what got my attention. I think the thing that struck me as strange about this was COPD and horses. I mean it's not like they smoke etc. It just sounded weird. I know; from the mold and all which gives even more credence to environmental exposures (re: COPD) when it comes to humans.
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Post by the bear on Sept 17, 2007 6:23:55 GMT -5
I wonder if this COPD has any other animals that suffer from it. My wife mentioned "kennel cough" a disease of dogs and their respiratory tract. Does any one know any vets that we could get answers from?? The confirmation that many animals get COPD gives credence that smoking is not the only cause of COPD. They never smoked. Did they?  bear  |
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Sept 17, 2007 6:40:27 GMT -5
I think dogs get over kennel cough Bear (unless it happens in conjunction with being removed from the irritant so it just "seems" like they get over it.....) so maybe there's something to what you're saying. It would be interesting to know.....anyone know a vet they can ask? I would but they'd probably charge me for the call  . |
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Post by Martha on Sept 19, 2007 19:13:51 GMT -5
I just came to visit to see how RoseMarie is doing. I hope it's okay if I post an answer on the kennel cough question. Dogs do get over it. It's a contagious disease that they frequently get in kennel's, dog shows, shelters, etc. They can be immunized against the bacterial version, Bordetella. Viral causes, Parainfluenza and Adenovirus, are part of the routine vaccinations generally given yearly to dogs. It is characterized as being similar to us catching a cold and generally requires no treatment other than perhaps symptomatic relief such as a cough suppressant. One of my dogs got kennel cough while being boarded.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Sept 19, 2007 19:30:12 GMT -5
Ahhhhhhhh; a woman in the know. Thanks Martha
(P.S. OF COURSE you can post for goodness sakes.)
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Post by LindaNY on Sept 19, 2007 19:44:01 GMT -5
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bear 
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