Upper Respiratory Diseases in Horses

Illness in animals can mirror common human sicknesses, such as an upper respiratory disease. In particular, horses can suffer from this kind of infection, requiring immediate attention so that the illness does not progress into a more dangerous disease.

  1. Identification

    • Upper respiratory disease is caused by a viral, parasitic, fungal or bacterial infection of the throat, nose or surrounding area. An upper respiratory illness affects how much air is reaching the lungs, causing difficulties in breathing if seriously infected.

    Features

    • Typical symptoms of an upper respiratory disease are a runny or stuffed nose, cough and watery eyes. It is important to verify the horse's breathing pattern -- normally six to eight breaths per minute -- to make sure it is able to take in enough air for proper body functioning.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Depending on the type of infection, most upper respiratory diseases resolve themselves with time and a lot of rest. It is imperative that a veterinarian makes a determination of the extent of the illness so that the owner understands what is best for nurturing the horse back to good health.