Laboured Breathing
Laboured breathing in horses is mainly due to allergic reactions to stable dust and pollen (COPD/SPAOPD).
There are, however, many other causes of breathing difficulties which will usually show other respiratory signs as well such as a cough or nasal discharge. Horses with breathing difficulties require a thorough physical examination including listening to the chest with a stethoscope. Treatment may be initiated at this time to alleviate the signs if the horse is in severe respiratory distress (similar to an asthma attack), usually potent anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs to dilate the airways (bronchodilators). Blood tests, endoscopy (looking down nasal passages and trachea and into the lungs), ultrasound scanning of the lung surface, x-rays and sampling fluid from the lungs (e.g.tracheal wash) may all be required to find a diagnosis and assess treatment options.