Adult horses can be affected by heaves.When a horse breathes in particles from the environment, they cause an allergic reaction in the respiratory tract.This allergic reaction makes it harder for the horse to breathe.The heaves can range from mild to severe.It is important to recognize heaves as soon as possible so that a horse can receive proper treatment.
Step 1: Your horse is breathing.
Normal breathing for a horse doesn't require much effort.Horses with heaves will have trouble breathing.Your horse will have a hard time getting air out of his lungs.The extra effort to exhale will cause his abdominal muscles to get bigger.A horse has a normal breathing rate of 8 to 12 breaths per minute.Your horse's breathing rate may be as high as 36 to 40 breaths per minute if he has heaves.If you count your horse's breaths for a minute, you'll know his breathing rate.Even at rest, your horse may have trouble breathing.
Step 2: There is a heave line on your horse.
A heave line, which runs along the bottom edge of a horse's rib cage, is a telltale symptom of heaves.The abdominal muscles get bigger when the effort to exhale continues.Don't look for the heave line on your horse right away, it will take some time before his abdominal muscles enlarge enough to form the line.
Step 3: Listen to your horse breathe.
Listen to the breathing sounds of your horse.When your horse breathes, he will wheeze.He may not make any noise when he breathes if he has a mild case of heaves.
Step 4: Your horse is coughing.
mucus is produced by airway inflammation caused by heaves.Your horse will cough to get the mucus out.The cough will be occasional early on in the disease.It could or could not produce mucus.The cough with a severe case of heaves is very deep and produces mucus.Your horse may have a chronic cough.
Step 5: Look at the nose of your horse.
If your horse has a lot of mucus in his airway, it could cause him to have a discharge that looks thick and ropy.Increased breathing effort may cause your horse's nostrils to flare when he breathes.
Step 6: There are asthma attacks.
Asthma in humans is similar to heaves in horses.If a horse is stabled indoors, he may have exaggerated responses to environmental allergens.These responses can look like asthma attacks on your horse.
Step 7: Determine if your horse is exercising.
Horses are very athletic.A horse with heaves will have less athletic performance.If your horse has a mild case of heaves, he will not be able to exercise as much as he used to, and will take longer to recover after exercise.You might need to spend more time cooling him down.Exercise intolerance is an inability to exercise in horses.The severity of heaves will affect this tolerance.Reduced athletic performance is the only sign of heaves for some horses.Do not force your horse to exercise.It would be harder for him to breathe.
Step 8: Take note of a decrease in appetite.
Horses need a proper diet to be healthy and have a good body condition.A horse can become unable to eat in severe cases of heaves.Your horse will lose weight if he can't eat.At certain times of the day, watch your horse to see if he can eat.Your horse may drink less water.
Step 9: Change your horse's behavior.
The struggle to breathe can make your horse anxious.A high-pitched sound that indicates anxiety in your horse is neighing.Aggressive tail swishing is indicative of agitation.If your horse is feeling uncomfortable, he may paw or stamp at the ground.
Step 10: Take your horse to the vet.
Heaves needs a veterinary diagnosis.Since a mild case of heaves can become more severe, an early diagnosis could help your horse receive treatment before serious health consequences occur.
Step 11: Provide a detailed history of your horse.
Your vet will use your horse's history and physical examination to diagnose heaves.You should give your vet as much information as possible about your horse.Important details of your horse's history include his overall health, diet, housing environment, and when you first noticed his breathing problems.hay and straw can cause heaves in horses.Your vet will know if you use straw or hay for bedding.If your horse's heave symptoms get worse, tell your vet.When a horse is stabled, heave symptoms can get worse.Dust particles in the air can make your horse's heaves worse.Tell your vet how you clean the barn.When horses are stabled more than usual, they may show signs of heaves.
Step 12: Your vet can examine your horse.
Your vet will conduct a physical examination of your horse.If you want to listen to your horse breathe, your vet may place a bag over his muzzle.The bag would make your horse breathe more deeply and allow for louder breathing sounds.Your vet will hear wheezing and rattling noises when he listens to the breathing.If your horse has been unable to eat, your vet will look at his overall body condition.
Step 13: Allow your vet to take a sample.
If your vet thinks your horse has mild to moderate heaves, then more testing is needed to find out the extent of the disease.A technique called bronchoalveolar lavage is used to diagnose heaves.BAL allows your vet to take a fluid sample from your horse's lungs to analyze the inflammatory cells in the fluid.A small camera will be passed through your horse's nostrils to your vet for BAL.The fluid sample will be collected after your vet passes a solution down through the tube.BAL is not recommended for horses who have breathing problems.The time for this diagnosis is very short.Many vets can run the fluid sample in-house, which means a faster diagnosis and a quicker start to treatment.
Step 14: Discuss the need for x-rays and blood work.
x-rays and blood work are not required in many cases of heaves.Blood work is usually not affected by heaves.It is possible to rule out other causes of your horse's breathing troubles with chest x-rays.