Trade Zone -Respiratory Illness

Horses are susceptible to a number of respiratory ailments, most of which can be divided into two categories—infectious disease and inflammatory airway disease that has nothing to do with bacteria or viruses. Sometimes an allergic condition can follow an infectious disease, but there are also many horses that are merely sensitive to allergens such as pollen, dust, and molds. The resultant mucus in the airway, or constriction of the airway due to inflammation, can impair a horse’s ability to perform. Dr. Richard Mansmann, clinical professor and director of the Equine Health Program at North Carolina State University’s Department of Clinical Studies, said horse owners should differentiate between an acute or chronic respiratory problem, to help determine whether it’s infectious or noninfectious.

Infectious Disease

“It’s important that every owner have a working knowledge of each of their horse’s normal temperature in the morning and evening,” said Mansmann. “Infectious respiratory disease generally starts with a fever, so any horse with a fever needs immediate attention, especially in this era of herpes infections.”

If a horse is shipped a long distance and comes off the trailer with a fever, this could be evidence of infection, and you need to find out what it is as soon as possible. “The sooner you figure it out, the less costly it will be to treat the horse (quicker recovery and less treatment time) and less chance for chronic problems or permanent damage,” Mansmann said.

You should not wait to see if the horse gets better or worse. By the time the horse shows other signs, it might cost a lot more to save the horse.

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