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  Discussion on How do you know if your horse has heaves or something else?
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Posted on Friday, Jan 7, 2000 - 5:26 pm:

My QH was moved from home where he could be out most of the time, to a stable where he is out days and in at night. He has been there 1 mo. and about a week ago developed a cough when I ride him. He coughs and then his nose runs a gray colored mucous. Does this sound like the start of heaves or could he just have an upper respiratory infection or cold?
He is on an sulphas and an antihistamine (just started).

Posted on Friday, Jan 7, 2000 - 7:29 pm:

Hi Dana,

Did your vet put him on the antihistamine? Did he/she listen to your horse's lungs? Your vet should be able to tell you if it's heaves or not. Has he ever shown these signs before?

Is it possible to leave him outdoors at night where he is, to see if that helps the cough? Early warning signs for heaves are intermittant cough (usually while eating hay or at the beginning of exercise). I have a horse with heaves and unfortunately, because I didn't recognize the signs early enough (had never heard of it before she was diagnosed), there was irreversible damage done. I now spend oodles of time and money on my horse to keep her comfortable -- she has become allergic to EVERYTHING. From one who's been there, trust me on this -- get a vet to look at him right away. And then, if you have to, move him back to your house where he can be outside ALL THE TIME.

One of the other horses that was moved to my farm came here because he had the early stages of heaves. He cleared up within a matter of months (outside 24/7) and is now very healthy -- and I highly doubt he had any long term damage.

Also, riding your horse in an arena may be contributing to the problem -- if he has heaves, the dust in the arena will only make him worse... can you ride him outside?

Posted on Saturday, Jan 8, 2000 - 12:45 pm:

Dear Dana:

Hi! I agree with Sheila. I have a horse with heaves who has permanent damage as well. Allergies can develop with moves. According to the veternarians I've talked to about my horse, typically a move can initiate the heaves.

The syptoms I've seen in my horse are typically coughing initially a lot and then less or no coughing with more riding. Also, no coughing at all during the winter! The mucous coming out of his nose was either white or yellowish, not grey, so that's confusing to me.

I would get a vet to examine him immediately. ANd have him scoped, to rule out any pollups (sp?) or other possible obstructions. Also, horses with heaves typically do not have a temperature and get better with steriods such as Azium, antihistamines work too though, for initial problems.

I agree that the best cure is to have your horse outside 24/7 and ride outside too. That's what has worked for my horse. He's out all the time, unless the water is frozen and has a stall with a window. He hasn't coughed or reacted as much since he's been out, but he still has some heavy breathing when rode in the indoor arena.

Also, he doesn't eat hay anymore, but eats hay cubes. All the literature I've read and doctors I've talked to have recommended either watering down very good quality hay or if good quality hay is not available, then feeding hay cubes, which is what I do this helps with the syptoms as well.

Good luck!!

Liz

Posted on Saturday, Jan 8, 2000 - 3:57 pm:

Hello All,
Liz, I think a week of coughing while exercised is a little quick to be dragging out the scope. Dana, the article on this really covers the diagnosis pretty well and there is not enough information in your post to make one or the other clear. Checking the hay may help you decide. If you are unsure consider Liz's and Sheila's advice: have the vet out.
DrO
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