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Shallow breathing

2K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  Natiem99 
#1 ·
I just purchased a horse a few days ago and brought her home. For the past few days she has been breathing very fast and shallow. No other symptoms. What could it be? Vet is coming out tomorrow or Tuesday to look at her.
 
#2 ·
There is no way any of the random people on this forum could tell exactly what is wrong. Did you have a PPE done on the mare before you bought her?
 
#6 ·
Do you have any experienced horse people around you could have come and look at the horse before the vet can come?

My guesses would be either that the horse has anhidrosis or another issue with being too hot, or else the horse has COPD/heaves.
Does the horse have a long coat still, inappropriate for the weather? Sometimes horses with Cushing's don't shed and can't tolerate hotter weather. They may need to be clipped if they can't shed well enough.

If it seems like the horse is too hot, try hosing the horse down to see if it helps. If the horse can't sweat properly you may have to keep the horse under shade and/or provide fans during the day and let the horse out at night.

Another possibility is COPD. My friends' horse was exposed to wildfire smoke and his COPD caused him to breathe like you describe. This was life threatening and the vet gave him breathing treatments and medications to help open his lungs. He is fine now but can't be in dusty or smoky environments.
 
#7 ·
Thank you it means so much. I have had horses my whole life... but healthy ones lol I’ve never had any issues besides normal cuts and scrapes so this is a new one for me. She does have a bit of winter hair left around her spine and on the bridge of her nose. Could this indicate Cushings even though it’s not a lot? I watered down her hay earlier today too so hopefully that helps if it is the start of heaves or something similar.
 
#8 ·
She does have a bit of winter hair left around her spine and on the bridge of her nose. Could this indicate Cushings even though it’s not a lot?
That entirely depends on where you are and where the horse came from. I'm in eastern Canada, and my horses are still shedding. Neither has Cushings.

Good idea to wet the hay just in case. Do let us know what the vet thinks!
 
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