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  Discussion on Possible chronic respiratory problem
Author Message
Member:
pellis

Posted on Monday, May 5, 2008 - 2:29 pm:

Dr. O,

I have a 17 yr. QH mare that I suspect is developing a chronic respiratory problem. Three years ago she had a mild upper respiratory infection that lasted about 10 -14 days (some discharge, no fever, no cough, never even acted ill). This is the only time she has been sick in the 10 years I’ve owned her. The following summer when the temperature was consistently around 100 degrees and the humidity generally in the 80 to 85 percent range, I noticed that I could hear her breathing from 10 to 15 feet away. She was not panting and did not have an elevated respiratory rate, just loud breathing on both the inhale and exhale. There was no coughing, even if exercised. This lasted for about 3 weeks that summer. Last summer when the temperature and humidity reached the same levels, the loud breathing appeared again. Again, no coughing or increased respiration rate, just loud breathing and for a longer period – about 6 weeks. This year we have had a few days of near 90 degree temps with 80% humidity and on those days she has had the loud breathing. On those days I put her in the round pen to see if there would be any coughing, but there was none. I cannot say whether she has decreased performance because she has always only been a lightly used trail horse – never worked hard or long. She is currently lightly ridden (walk/trot) by a beginner child several times a month and has no difficulties with that work.

She is outside on pasture approximately 12 hours a day in summer (8-10 hours in winter) and then in a stall/pen combination for the rest of the day. The barn is open on all sides, never closed even in winter. Her hay is fed outside in the pen except for very cold, rainy days. Her stall is never closed and she spends most of her time outside in her pen when she is not on pasture. Her hay is Bermuda grass and is of good quality. I won’t use a bale if it has any musty odor, but have not ever tested the hay for mold. She receives minimal hay in the summer – approximately 3-4 lbs/day.

Last summer I started to suspect that it might be SPAOPD. I plan to take her to the A&M vet school, but was wondering whether I could take her now when she has no symptoms or if it is better to wait until the symptoms consistently reappear in order to get a good diagnosis.

Thanks for your help.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - 7:23 am:

Hello Patricia,
First let me say elevated sound of breathing with no increase respiratory rate and no cough is not clearly a lower respiratory disease problem. The sounds you hear are generated from either increased air passage through the upper respiratory tract or narrowing of the upper respiratory tract. The history suggests this is a thermoregulation problem more than lower airway inflammation. How about the character of the breathing: is it more labored?

Before I sent my horse for expensive testing I would have the vet carefully listen during these abnormal times to see if abnormal sounds can be heard and base my decision to refer on this. Also, I would work harder to keep the horse cool during those stressful days. If the breathing then gets better you have your diagnosis.
DrO
Member:
pellis

Posted on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - 8:38 am:

To me it does not seem that her breathing is more labored. Her nostrils are not flaring and it doesn't seem that she is working to inhale or exhale. I will wait until she has the symptoms again and then get the vet out to listen. If it is the heat, I do have the ability to alter her turn out to night. Many thanks.
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