16/07/2026
🐴 Respiratory Disease in Horses – Looking Beyond the Cough
Not all respiratory problems are the same. Horses can present with coughing, nasal discharge, poor performance, increased breathing effort, or simply not feeling quite right under saddle.
To help identify the cause, we may recommend collecting samples from the respiratory tract, such as a tracheal wash or bronchoalveolar lavage (lung wash). These procedures allow us to examine cells present within the airways and identify any bacteria that may be contributing to disease.
📸 The photograph shows a highly abnormal tracheal wash sample collected from a pony with respiratory disease. This sample was submitted for both cytology (microscopic examination of cells) and bacterial culture and sensitivity testing.
Why is this important?
✔️ Helps distinguish infection from inflammatory airway disease
✔️ Identifies the type and severity of airway inflammation
✔️ Determines whether bacteria are present
✔️ Allows us to select the most appropriate medication based on laboratory results rather than guesswork
Depending on the findings, treatment may include:
• Environmental and dust management changes
• Nebulised therapies
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Antibiotics where indicated and supported by culture results
• Exercise modification during recovery
By obtaining samples directly from the respiratory tract, we can tailor treatment to each individual horse, improving outcomes while promoting responsible use of antibiotics.
If your horse is coughing, struggling with performance, or showing signs of respiratory disease, contact the KR Equine Vets team to discuss the most appropriate investigation and treatment plan.
