[oldhorsehome]

What would cause heavy breathing/panting? I have a 20 something gelding (QH), maybe Cushings (test results this week), he sweats fine, very hairy, no coughing, on pasture 24/7. Vet said maybe allergies but didn't elaborate.

He breathes heavy/pants at rest. It's not panting like he's just run the derby, just kind of winded. He will cough a couple of times after starting to trot, but nothing major. I haven't ridden him in a while because he seems so tired and it's been raining for 2 months. I've noticed the breathing increasing as the weather has warmed up. He didn't seem to be like this is the winter.

Is it just the warm weather? I'm going to try to clip him tomorrow - if it's dry enough.

Thanks!

[ryu2832]

Did the vet put him on an Antihistamine? Or something like Trihist?

Are his nostrils flared? Does he look like he is pushing with his flanks to breathe? If so, it could be heaves.

My Thomas has been diagnosed with a mild case of heaves. He was on Dexamethasone for a couple weeks to get it under control and we are controling it with an antihistamine and expectorant.

[Xiphias]

Originally Posted by ryu2832

Did the vet put him on an Antihistamine? Or something like Trihist?

Are his nostrils flared? Does he look like he is pushing with his flanks to breathe? If so, it could be heaves.

My Thomas has been diagnosed with a mild case of heaves. He was on Dexamethasone for a couple weeks to get it under control and we are controling it with an antihistamine and expectorant.

I was thinking heaves too, clipping him will help to keep him cool....the hot and humid weather don't help....my friend's pony has heaves really bad, he cannot even eat hay...they feed him beet pulp and dengie....he also is on medication....Cathy

[Ryle]

Panting/heavy breathing at rest is enough to warrant a vet visit. Heaves, pneumonia..... the things that would cause this are serious and your horse needs an exam and appropriate treatment.

[oldhorsehome]

Vet didn't put him on anything. We just kind of mentioned it in passing when she was out to take blood for the Cushings & IR tests, float his teeth, and clean his sheath (poor boy). I'll be talking with her about those results and will ask about the breathing again and what she thinks needs to be done.

Hmmm...I didn't think it would be heaves since he isn't coughing? Is it possible to have heaves w/o a cough?

I body clipped him today. Never done that before!! I think he looks alright. With the humidity and the slight breeze, though, I was covered in hair. Looked like the wolfman!

[Rockytop]

Yes, it's possible to have heaves without a cough.

You'll notice what appears to be a quick "catch" in the flank when the horse breathes (almost like two lifts of the flank opposed to a healthy horse's one). Easy to see especially if you have a healthy horse to compare it to.

Nostrils will often appear flared (dilated) as the horse needs to put extra effort into getting oxygen, even when the horse is resting.

You can ease the horse's comfort with certain medications, by watering down the horse's hay ration and keeping him in as dust free environment as possible.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge (which is sorely limited - I'm no vet ), there is no cure available for heaves at this time.


Take care and I hope your horse is well soon.

[doublebarr]

Does he do it when he's just doing his own thing out in the pasture or only when resting after you have ridden/worked him?

If it's after work/riding, then it sounds to me like his wind has been broken previously. Seen it more in drafts, but it happens to horses too.

[3WishesDun]

Respiratory issues aside (in case you rule them out), breathing hard can also be a symptom of pain. Where that pain is coming from.... is a whole other ballgame.

Good luck.

[oldhorsehome]

Originally Posted by doublebarr

Does he do it when he's just doing his own thing out in the pasture or only when resting after you have ridden/worked him?

He seems to do it all the time. I haven't noticed a catch but I will really look when I feed this evening. His nostrils don't flare. He just breathes heavier and faster than the others do. I can hear him breathe whereas I don't really hear the other guys unless I'm right in their face.

3WD, oh I hope it's not pain! If so, it's been going on for a while. I feel so bad. He's had recurrent bouts of thrush - could that cause enough pain? He walks fine, just slowly.

[3WishesDun]

I didn't mean to worry you! I was just throwing that out there in case you ruled out all of the usual respiratory suspects. Perhaps once you get him clipped, it will subside. And if there was a pain issue, I would think it would manifest in other ways too... how he carries himself, poor appetite, laying down a lot.... etc.

I hope you get to the bottom of it. Best wishes!