11/06/2022
⭐⭐ Monthly Theme Continued - Asthma ⭐⭐
Asthma in horses has several different names, you may have heard it referred to as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or RAO (Recurrent Airway Obstruction) or just a dust cough. Essentially all these conditions are the same, they all cause horses to cough and wheeze. Like in humans, asthma is not infectious, it is an allergic condition where the airway is irritated by various allergens.
The two main triggers are dust and pollen. Asthma triggered by dust is generally at its worst in the winter when horses are stabled, asthma triggered by pollen is generally worse in the summer when horses are at grass. Some horses are triggered by both meaning that symptoms persist all year round.
In severe cases asthma can result in respiratory distress (like an asthma attack in humans) where horses need intra-venous medication – usually corticosteroids and bronchodilators – to alleviate symptoms. This kind of attack is rare. More commonly horses have a cough both a rest and exercise, and can develop a ‘heave line’ due to increased abdominal effort breathing.
Like in humans, asthma can be well controlled with environmental management – avoiding dusty bedding, hay, feed, stabling etc. alongside medication. Some horse’s require oral medication, but most can be controlled with inhalers.
If your horse has a cough or any issues with its breathing, please get in touch to speak to one of our vets.
