Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Rapid Breathing, Flaring Nostrils at Rest (Not after Exercise)
Summary
Breathing rate is regulated by the brainstem, which responds to the levels of CO2 and Oxygen present in the blood. Rapid breathing is the body's attempt to increase gas exchange in the lungs, it is also a response to overheating, stress and pain.
Rapid breathing that is not associated with recent exercise is commonly seen in horses suffering from severe disease processes including heaves Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), exhaustion or heat stroke. Horses in end-stage shock that is caused by any number of severe illnesses or injuries (major blood loss, pain, metabolic problems, or heart failure) may breathe or pant heavily.
Rapid breathing that is not associated with recent exercise is commonly seen in horses suffering from severe disease processes including heaves Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), exhaustion or heat stroke. Horses in end-stage shock that is caused by any number of severe illnesses or injuries (major blood loss, pain, metabolic problems, or heart failure) may breathe or pant heavily.
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Code Red
Call Your Vet Immediately, Even Outside Business Hours
your role
What To Do
Horses exhibiting this sign may be experiencing a life-threatening crisis. Keep the horse quiet and calm and contact your vet immediately. Perform the Whole Horse Exam, paying particular attention rectal temperature, and to the presence or absence of excessive respiratory noise. this may give a clue as to whether there is an upper airway obstruction. Assess the horse's gum color, which reflect tissue oxygenation status. Are they bluish, pink or red? Regardless, this is a veterinary emergency.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Very Common
Less Common
your vet's role
Your vet uses history and physical exam findings to try to determine what is responsible for the rapid breathing.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- When did you first notice this?
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- What is the horse's heart rate and respiratory rate?
- Does the horse's appetite and attitude seem normal?
- Have you noticed this happen before?
- Has the horse received any medications or new feeds or supplements?
- Do you think there have been changes to the horse's environment or feeding?
- Have you given any medications to the horse, what and when?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- How hot and humid is the weather?
- Do you have medications of any kind?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Very Common
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Recurrent Airway Obstruction, RAO
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Pneumonia, Pleuropneumonia & Pleuritis, Generally
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Foal Pneumonia, Rhodococcus equi
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Acute Systemic Disease, Generally
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, ARDS
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Ruptured Uterine Artery, Post-Partum Hemorrhage
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Fracture of Base of Skull & Brain Case
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Red Maple Leaf Toxicosis
Less Common
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Equine Piroplasmosis, EP
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Atrial Fibrillation
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Rodenticide Toxicity, Generally
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Smoke Inhalation, Pneumonitis
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Respiratory Conditions, Generally
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Conditions Affecting Red Blood Cells, Generally
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Coccidioidomycosis
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Equine Infectious Anemia, EIA
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Clostridial Muscle & Fascia Infection (Myonecrosis)
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Anhidrosis, Dry Coat Syndrome
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Duodenitis-Proximal Jejunitis, DPJ
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Neonatal Isoerythrolysis in Newborn Foal
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Anemia, Generally
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Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
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Pulmonary Edema
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Cyanide Toxicity from Plants
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Enteritis, Acute
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Fractured or Broken Ribs (in Adult)
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Summer Pasture-Associated Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, SPAOPD
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Kidney Failure, Acute Renal Failure
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Pharyngeal Sub-Epiglottic Cyst
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Pneumothorax & Pneumomediastinum
Rare
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Monensin Toxicity
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Colic, Sand Accumulation or Impaction
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Colic, Undiagnosed Conditions Causing
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Congestive Heart Failure, CHF
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Iron Deficiency, Caused by Anemia Caused
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Poisoning by Cardiotoxic Plants, Generally
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Nitrate Toxicity From Plants or Fertilizer
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Black Walnut Shavings Toxicity
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Johnson or Sudan Grass Toxicity
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African Horse Sickness, AHS
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Jimsonweed Toxicity
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Foal or Newborn, Combined Immunodeficiency, CID
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Clotting Factor Deficiency, Coagulation Problem
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Hypocalcemic Tetany
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Nasopharyngeal Cicatrix Syndrome
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Oleander Toxicity
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Nasal Septum Deviation, Abnormalities
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Larkspur, Monkshood Toxicity
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
