What Respiratory Diseases Can Horses Get?

The common infectious equine respiratory diseases are strangles, equine influenza and the equine herpesviruses. Other infections also circulate including the equine rhinitis viruses and equine adenoviruses, but these are less common.

What is the most common infectious respiratory disease of horses?

Equine influenza virus is one of the most common infectious upper respiratory diseases of the horse. It is widespread in the equine population of the United States and throughout the world. It spreads quickly because the incubation period is only 24 to 48 hours, and the virus can be transmitted through the air.

Can horses get chest infections?

Foals develop pneumonia more commonly than adult horses. They are more prone to bacterial infections and are at a higher risk for developing aspiration pneumonia, which can occur when food, saliva, or liquid is breathed into the lungs instead of being swallowed. However, pneumonia can still affect adult horses.

How do you treat a respiratory infection in horses?

Ceftiofur sodium was evaluated as a therapy for respiratory infections in horses. This cephalosporin antimicrobial was administered intramuscularly every 24 h and at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg (1.0 mg/lb) of body weight.

How long does a respiratory infection last in horses?

Nasal discharge usually is clear at first, but often changes to yellow, then green after a few days. Horses typically will develop a mild cough and some will have minor lymph node enlargement under their jaws. In uncomplicated cases, most horses will recover in seven to 14 days.

What are the top 3 most common respiratory diseases?

Some of the most common are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, occupational lung diseases and pulmonary hypertension.

How do you tell if a horse has a respiratory infection?

Runny nose, cough, fever, listless, or depressed behavior…if your horse is showing these signs, there’s a good chance he has an upper respiratory infection. Fall, winter, and spring are prime time for diseases of the respiratory tract, and are often caused by one or more of four common pathogens.

Can horses get bronchitis?

Recurrent airway obstruction (also known as heaves, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, broken wind, and chronic airway reactivity) is a common respiratory disease of horses characterized by periods of reversible airway obstruction caused by neutrophil accumulation, mucus production, and

What is the most common horse illness?

Find out the top 5 most common health problems affecting horses, how to spot the signs and top tips for horse owners below.

1. Arthritis. Fact. Petplan Equine paid out over £756,000 in claims for arthritis in 2017.
2. Gastric Ulcers. Fact.
3. Colic. Fact.
4. Desmitis (Inflamed Ligaments) Fact.
5. Laminitis. Fact.

What causes respiratory inflammation in horses?

Both of these conditions are caused by inhaled allergens from the horse’s environment. The lower airways in the lungs respond to inhaled irritants by constricting (which reduces airflow), overproducing mucus, and decreasing clearance of mucus from the respiratory tract.

What are the symptoms of equine influenza?

Equine influenza affects the upper respiratory systems of horses, causing symptoms that are similar to humans experiencing influenza:

• Deep, dry cough.
• Nasal discharge.
• Lethargy.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Lack of appetite.

How long does a viral infection last in a horse?

Most horses should recover from viral infections over 3 to 7 days but should have 2 or more weeks off from structured exercise.

What are the symptoms of COPD in horses?

Signs of COPD

• Heavy breathing.
• Rapid breathing.
• Thick nasal discharge.
• Coughing at rest or exercise.
• Formation of a muscular line on the flank (a heave line).
• Signs decrease in the summer or if the horse is out in the field.

What are the first signs of strangles in horses?

What are the clinical signs of strangles? The incubation period for strangles is 3 to 8 days, at which point clinical signs, including lethargy, anorexia, fever, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes with abscess formation may appear.

What is Rota virus in horses?

What is equine rotavirus? Equine rotavirus damages the lining of the intestines, inhibiting digestion and absorption of food. It is one of the most common causes of diarrhea in foals less than six months of age. Foals become infected when they ingest materials or lick surfaces contaminated with infected feces.

What are strangles in horses?

What is strangles? Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper airway in horses. Strangles can cause the lymph nodes to block the upper airway. Veterinarians can diagnose strangles by taking a swab.

What are the 7 respiratory diseases?

Types of Respiratory Diseases

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) If you are a smoker or inhale tobacco in any form, you are most likely to suffer from this disease.
• Asthma.
• Emphysema.
• Lung Cancer.
• Pneumonia.
• Pleural Effusion.
• Chronic Bronchitis.

What is the deadliest respiratory illness?

Meyer identifies COPD as one of the most serious and dangerous respiratory illnesses, and COPD is the number one problem seen in most pulmonology offices. “It’s a very serious disease. Once you get COPD, you’ve got it.

What are 10 respiratory diseases?

The Top 8 Respiratory Illnesses and Diseases

• Asthma.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Chronic Bronchitis.
• Emphysema.
• Lung Cancer.
• Cystic Fibrosis/Bronchiectasis.
• Pneumonia.
• Pleural Effusion.

How do you know if your horse has sinusitis?

Typical clinical signs are a persistent discharge of mucous from the nostril on the affected side and swelling on the outer surfaces of the sinuses. These horses will also have swelling on the inside of the sinuses that partly closes the nasal passage.

Should I be worried if my horse is coughing?

If your horse coughs occasionally, there is normally nothing to worry about. This is a perfectly natural way of keeping their airways clean from dust or small debris. Some coughs, however, may be an early sign of an inflammatory condition that deserves prompt action.