WHAT IS EQUINE ASTHMA?
Severe equine asthma, previously called heaves, COPD or broken wind, is a common respiratory disease. Just like human asthma, it is caused by inflammation of the lower airways in response to inhaling airborne particles or allergens such as moulds and pollens from your horse's environment. This leads to signs such as coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.
HOW TO SPOT IF YOUR HORSE HAS EQUINE ASTHMA
It is thought that horses cannot choose to cough, therefore if your horse coughs, it can indicate something is wrong. Every cough means something and should be investigated by your vet.
When inhaled by a horse with severe asthma, allergens cause an inflammatory reaction in the lungs, leading to coughing, wheezing, producing excess mucus, struggling to exercise and, in severe cases, your horse may struggle to breathe. The increased effort of breathing can cause some asthmatic horses to develop a 'heave' line on their abdomen.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR HORSE HAS EQUINE ASTHMA
If you suspect your horse may have asthma, contact your vet for advice. Your vet may need to carry out tests such as passing a camera (endoscope) into the windpipe to take samples of fluid from the lungs in order to confirm the diagnosis.
Most horses with severe asthma require medication to alleviate their symptoms, alongside changes to their environment.
Just like people with asthma, an affected horse has the condition for life. With careful management of the environment to reduce exposure to dust and allergens, and treatment when flares occur, most asthmatic horses enjoy a normal life, however left untreated, asthma can cause long lasting changes to the lung which could impact your horse's health.
CAUSES OF EQUINE ASTHMA
Horses and ponies affected by severe equine asthma respond differently to the presence of airborne particles or allergens in their environment than unaffected horses.
Most asthmatic horses are affected by allergens and irritants within their stable environment such as mould spores and bacterial toxins released from dry hay or straw bedding, and ammonia from urine. A small number are more affected when turned out on pasture in the summer, which is probably due to pollens.
MANAGING A HORSE WITH EQUINE ASTHMA
If your horse has an asthma flare your vet is likely to prescribe medication. Just like people with asthma, an affected horse has the condition for life. WIth careful management of the environment to reduce exposure to dust and allergens, and treatment when flares occur, most asthmatic horses enjoy a normal life. All horses benefit from a clean, dust-free stable environment, but this is particularly important for horses with severe asthma.
- Keep horse turned out as much as possible
- Feed good quality soaked or steamed hay, or haylage
- Avoid activities that create dust, such as making up hay nets or sweeping, near your horse
- Use low dust bedding alternatives to straw
- Keep the stable well ventilated