Horses, like people are prone to respiratory diseases and most are not deadly and can be treated with rest, care and antibiotics. Following are upper respiratory diseases, their symptoms (if any) and the treatment known. As with all diseases of your horse, you should always contact your veterinarian for advanced treatment methods.
GUTTURAL POUCH EMPYEMA is a bacterial infection of the guttural pouch. There may be no clinical signs except a thick white to yellow nasal discharge. It is mostly associated with chronic strep infection which can cause strangles. Treatment involves flushing the pouch with a variety of flush solutions and antibiotics.
GUTTURAL POUCH TYMPANY is a disease of the foals. Appearance of a foal looks like a chipmunk with it's cheeks full. Correction involves surgically connecting the affected pouch to the normal pouch. If both are infected, then correction involves reconstructing the guttural pouch openings through surgery.
GUTTURAL POUCH MYCOSIS is a fungal infection of the guttural pouch. Symptoms include bleeding from one or both nostrils. Horses with this ailment can suddenly hemorrage to death. Bleeding from the nostrils should be immediately looked at by your veterinarian. This infection can only be corrected with surgery.
DORSAL DISPLACEMENT OF THE SOFT PALATE is when the soft palate seperates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity making it difficult to breathe. Treatment can involve using a "tongue-tie" or "figure-eight" noseband.
Also, if there is any inflammation of the throat it will be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.
EPIGLOTTIS is a piece of tissue that sits pointing forward at the entrance of the larynx. Inflammation can occur and the cause is unknown. Signs include exercise intolerance, coughing, respiratory noise and trouble swallowing and/or breathing. Treatment is rest for at least two weeks and anti-inflammatory spray if necessary.
LARYNGEAL HEMIPLEGIA is when the left laryngeal nerve degenerates causing the left arytenoid to open improperly, if at all. Signs include respiratory noise and/or degrees of exercise intolerance. Surgery can be done with only a 40-60% success rate in adult horses and 80-90% rate in young horses.
These are all lower respiratory diseases and the same applies as with upper respiratory diseases. Rest, care and follow-up is always recommended.
PNEUMONIA is a inflammation of the lung or lungs caused by an infection. Systems usually include fever, dehydration, chronic cough, and disorientation. The best treatment is plenty of fluids and rest and should also be treated with antibiotics.
EQUINE ADENOVIRUS is an infection of the respiratory tract and conjuction of the occular tissues. Signs include coughing, nasal discharge, fever, and problems breathing. This does not require any treatment from your veterinarian except rest.
EQUINE INFLUENZA is associated with the "flu" in people in which it allows the virus to attack the immune system. This disease can be contagious and the infected horse or horses should be apart from the others. Signs include fever, anorexia, depression, nasal discharge, and cough. Some horses experience muscle pain and swollen legs. Treatment includes antibiotics and home care.
EQUINE HERPESVIRUS (RHINO) is an inflammation of the upper airways and lungs. There are 4 strains associated with the horse.
Type 1 can cause abortion, respiratory disease or neurological disorders. Signs include fever, anorexia, depression, nasal discharge and cough. Treatment is rest.
EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS causes inflammation of the blood vessels. Transmission can occur through inhalation or sexual contact. This virus can cause abortion 10-34 days after exposure. Signs include fever, cough and depression. Treatment is mainly of supportive therapy, rest and isolation for 4-6 weeks.
BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA often follows viral pneumonia and disruption of the immune system. It can be caused by not enough rest after suffering from a viral respiratory disease. Signs are as such with the influenza virus and also include inappentence, nasal discharge and abnormal lung sounds. Weight loss and exercise intolerance may also be noticed in chronic cases. Treatment consists of long-term antibiotics, supportive therapy and rest.
PLEUROPNEUMONIA is an inflammation both within the lung and within the pleural cavity. This occurs in conjuction with pneumonia. Some signs are that of pneumonia and being off feed. The horse will also hurt between the ribs and may be reluctant to walk because of chest pain. Weight loss will be notices in chronic cases. Treatment is difficult and includes long-term antibiotics, supportive therapy and drainage of the fluid if necessary.
PARASITE PNEUMONIA -Intestinal roundworm (ascarid) is when the worms migrate from the intestine to the abdominal cavity and through the liver and lung. They then end up back in the intestine, grow and produce eggs. The main sign is a moist cough.
-Lungworm is mostly noticeable in donkeys and mules and have no clinical signs.
COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or "heaves". It is a disease associated with airway obstruction. The causes are unknown but may have something to do with allergic reactions. Signs include chronic cough, cloudy nasal discharge and difficulty in exhalation of air. Treatment involves altering the horse's environment.
EIPH is Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrage and is a disease of the athletic horse. Signs include exercise intolerance, respiratory distress, bleeding from the lungs through the nostrils (only 1-9% will show bleeding after racing), coughing and excessive swallowing. Treatment involves the use of the diuretic drug Lasix.
References:
The Horse Interactive
The Encyclopedia
The Dictionary
