INTRODUCTION
This is a common problem in horses and can be a challenge to
diagnose. In spite of many possible causes their are two which are
most likely: mold dust in the hay and recovering upper respiratory
tract infection.
PHYSICAL EXAM: HORSE AND HAY
Whenever a horse presents with a cough a thorough exam is
warranted. The most common causes may be difficult to prove with an
exam but more serious causes can be eliminated. Temperature,
examination and palpation of the throat, auscultation of heart and
lungs, and a look at the hay should all be done. If he horse has been
nonresponsive to treatment then an endoscopic exam of the pharynx,
larynx and trachea is warranted. This will help rule out inflammatory
problems there.
A developing allergy to hay mold and recovery from a viral infection
are two common causes of a cough with few other clinical signs.
Careful exam and history along with examination of the hay will
usually lead you to the correct answer. Contrast these differences:
1. While exercising, the cough from hay allergies improve but the
cough from a recovering infection will worsen. The exercise and
coughing helps the horse clear out the secretions caused by the allergy
but will irritate the pharyngitis.
2. The horse with pharyngitis will sometimes demonstrate sensitivity
to laryngeal and upper tracheal palpation while the allergic horse may
have changes in the lung sounds on auscultation. In mild cases you
may find neither.
3. Does the hay have a musty odor? When you first open the bales do
you see a little cloud of "smoke" that disappears rapidly? If the answer
to either question is yes: be suspicious of mold allergies.
TREATMENT FOR PHARYNGITIS
Horse's with mild pharyngitis will respond to stall rest. Usually 21
days is plenty of time and if the cough persists beyond that further
work up is warranted. If you strongly suspected pharyngitis, and the
hay was excellent, examine the pharynx with an endoscope. If nothing
turns up on reexam try treating him for hay allergies. Or even better,
wet the hay while resting him for the pharyngitis. Once he is over the
cough begin him back on good hay. If the cough returns when he is
put back on hay you have your culprit.
TREATMENT FOR ALLERGIES TO HAY MOLD
If you suspect hay allergies, begin by removing hay from his diet.
Either leave him out on pasture, feed cubed hay, or use one of the hay
substitute feeds made for heavy horses (Sweet Rely tm. by Manna
Pro). If these are not practical you can try thoroughly soaking the hay
just prior to feeding. If the horse shows improvement over the
following week you will need to be more careful about the quality of
your horse's hay. Continued exposure to hay that makes him cough
will only make him more sensitive and can lead to heaves.
Corticosteroids can be used to help a horse get over the effects of
exposure but must not be used as a substitute for removing the cause.
Hay allergies can progress to a PERMANENT debilitating disease.
In the early stages of hay allergies a light cough develops that
disappears as the horse works. As the disease progresses the horse's
cough begins to worsen and then breathing becomes difficult. What is
happening is that long-time exposure to the hay molds is causing
permanent changes in the lungs, reducing the amount of air he can
breath in. When a horse becomes affected to the point of difficult
breathing he is said to have heaves.
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