Expert veterinary advice on why coughing needs careful and prompt treatment
Horses cough for a number of reasons, but when should it be taken seriously? Vet Sarah Hunter MRCVS discusses why horses cough and how to treat it
“Viruses are a common cause of coughing in horses, especially those stabled in close proximity to others”
WHEN HONEY’S OWNER noticed her mare coughing last year, the cough cleared up quickly with the help of a respiratory supplement and so they thought nothing more of it. But earlier this year it started again, and this time the cough didn’t seem to improve, so her owners called the vet. An endoscope was used to examine Honey’s airways and a sample of fluid was collected. The results of the sample showed that there was inflammation and bacteria in the respiratory tract (see box, below right).
As the weather changes and our horses start to spend more time indoors, we are more likely to notice them coughing. There are a number of causes, which can make it difficult for us to know what to do for the best. Coughing can be associated with a number of other symptoms or it may be the only sign that is noticed. Any persistent coughing should always be checked by a vet.
In order to help your vet work out what might be causing your horse’s cough, it’s useful to have answers to the following questions:
■ Is this the only horse affected?
■ How long has it been going on for?
■ Is it associated with eating?
■ Does it occur during exercise?
■ Is there any discharge?
■ Is there any noise at exercise?
■ Is the breathing rate increased at rest?
The vet will perform an examination and might ask for your horse to be exercised, as this may induce coughing and allow the vet to see what the nature of the cough is. In most cases, endoscopy is required to visualise the airways. During the examination, light sedation is often used so that a sample can be taken. The results of this test are important as it ensures that your vet can prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Other tests that may be carried out include blood sampling and taking swabs. These are often performed if an infectious cause is suspected.