Simon Constable's Equine Vets

Simon Constable's Equine Vets We are a privately owned family vets practice that is dedicated to supporting owners and their horses

01/05/2026

…….as promised from yesterday, this is the video after the nebuliser.
The amazing improvement in both the rate and the depth of respiration can easily be seen. There is no longer the huge abdominal “lift” which is necessary to force out the air when the lungs are compromised.
This has been essential in this case because the other management changes and the drugs became less effective and flare-ups were occurring despite substantial doses.

30/04/2026

Equine asthma flare-ups are not uncommon at this time of year - at the back end of winter the hay can become much dustier and there are challenges such as high pollen counts which out huge pressure on the respiratory system.
Rapid treatment is essential using bronchodilators (Ventipulmin), anti-inflammatory drugs and even atropine as “fire-brigade” treatment to get the breathing under control. Steroids are the anti-inflammatory of choice for effectiveness but have the dangerous side-effect of laminitis in susceptible horses or ponies and sometimes may not be given because of the risk.
Management changes are essential to prevent recurrence and involve prolonged hay soaking, dust-free bedding, improved ventilation and avoidance of pollen etc (if possible).
The video shows a recent case of an 18 year old mare with an acute attack of equine asthma that was difficult to control with the above drugs.
A nebuliser was used to provide targeted medication into the lungs and allowing the use of steroids because of the much smaller dose required via the lungs compared to much higher levels when given by injection or orally.
Tomorrow we will upload the video AFTER the nebuliser and management changes to show the tremendous improvement …….

Take precautions against Equine Influenza……..
25/04/2026

Take precautions against Equine Influenza……..

If you’re worried about your horse or pony’s health?
25/04/2026

If you’re worried about your horse or pony’s health?

Vaccination is one of the best methods of prevention along with biosecurity…
25/04/2026

Vaccination is one of the best methods of prevention along with biosecurity…

Older horses, especially with Cushings, with have a poorer immunity as they get older.Also boosters may have to be done ...
25/04/2026

Older horses, especially with Cushings, with have a poorer immunity as they get older.
Also boosters may have to be done more frequently in young horses!

It’s not just young horses that can be infected by Equine Influenza…..
25/04/2026

It’s not just young horses that can be infected by Equine Influenza…..

It’s not just young horses that can get infected or horses that never leave the yard.
25/04/2026

It’s not just young horses that can get infected or horses that never leave the yard.

The virus is very infectious…..
24/04/2026

The virus is very infectious…..

Even in the last 7 days there have been another 12 confirmed cases of Equine Influenza in the UK and another 5 unconfirm...
24/04/2026

Even in the last 7 days there have been another 12 confirmed cases of Equine Influenza in the UK and another 5 unconfirmed cases.
2 out of 12 were vaccinated, 6 unvaccinated and the other 4 unknown and they have occurred throughout the country.
We are going to put in a few posts to educate as many people as possible regarding the risks, transmission and biosecurity etc.

Although it isn’t at the level of the 2019 outbreak, Equine Influenza has been appearing across the UK recently.In the l...
21/04/2026

Although it isn’t at the level of the 2019 outbreak, Equine Influenza has been appearing across the UK recently.

In the last three weeks there have been cases in North and West Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Berkshire and Hampshire often with multiple cases.

This is particularly important for anyone competing, wherever that may be and new cases in different areas may be popping up all the time especially considering the virus can spread over several hundred metres.
Strict biosecurity is essential at this time to help preventing the transmission and this starts at home!

Obviously vaccination protects the individual but also helps to reduce virus spreading (“herd immunity”).
Vaccine protection is very important in the very young and the very old who are the most at risk of serious disease.


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