Heaves, Equine - contd.

ClinicalSigns
Some horses are mildly affected during certain parts of the year. Clinical signs include periodic coughing spells, an accentuated expiratory effort, and wheezing. More severely affected horses can have a deep cough with mucopurulent, copious discharge that either is expelled from the nostrils or contained within the lower airways.

Some horses develop a "heave line" from prolonged respiratory dyspnea and become exercise intolerant. The horse may have flared nostrils and act nervous or anxious. Auscultation may reveal wheezes, crackles and increased lung sounds. Horses with secondary bacterial infections may develop a fever. Horses that are stabled indoors can suffer from sudden "asthmatic attacks" from dust and mold in the environment or feed, or from certain changes in the weather.

Symptoms
Horses suffering from COPD can have a range of clinical signs depending on the severity of the allergy and the season of the year. Mildly affected horses may have normal breath sounds, with some wheezing, difficulty breathing air out of the lungs, and occasional coughing. Severe, persistent, deep coughing spells are a symptom of more significant illness. Many horses will have a discharge from the nose that can be ropy, thick, and contain mucus and pus. This exudate can extend down into the lungs, causing even more difficulty breathing. Horses with secondary bacterial infections may develop a fever. Many horses will be intolerant to exercise and often have a decreased activity level. Horses that are stabled indoors can suffer from sudden "asthmatic attacks" from dust and mold in the environment or feed, or from certain changes in the weather. Horses will sometimes have flared nostrils, and may have nervousness or anxiousness caused by breathing difficulty.