Breathing heavily at rest

[Connemara24]

The 25yo fine this morning but started poo picking and he started to breath really heavily 48 breaths per minute. Ate all his hard feed, rolled, he peed and pooed and was acting normal. But then suddenly started breathing heavily now he is just standing he hasn't run around or anything. Neither of them are drinking enough, Skin doesn't go back straight away on neck. Any ideas on why? I'll ring vet soon if it doesn't stop... thanks

 

[Connemara24]

Just to add he does get a cough from dry hay. But doesn't have a cough at the minute.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Sounds like it could be copd best to get the vet out though, with the not drinking can you give them a few sloppy feeds a day to get some extra water into them, it can be a common thing in winter for horses not to want to drink really cold water.

 

[SantaVera]

sounds dehydrated

 

[Connemara24]

OK thank you. I called the vet, she said see whats he's like in a bit and if he's not stopped she'll come out. He does get one really sloppy feed a day for that reason. I'll try and get him to drink something. Thanks again.

 

[Marigold4]

OK thank you. I called the vet, she said see whats he's like in a bit and if he's not stopped she'll come out. He does get one really sloppy feed a day for that reason. I'll try and get him to drink something. Thanks again.

Is he over-rugged and hot? Temperature has risen dramatically.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would be frightened it’s the start of impaction colic because he’s not drinking enough .

 

[Red-1]

I insisted on a vet visit for Rigsby on the basis of he hadn't drunk much, didn't finish his afternoon net and had a lie down (the last one of which was normal for him - but not before finishing his net!).

Good job I did as, although he had [assed normal droppings until then, they were the last ones as he had an impaction. He was visited within a couple of hours, the vet initially thought I was wrong about him being ill as he looked normal, until she had a feel up his backside and found the impaction.

Despite tubing starting immediately, he nearly died. 3 days and £1,650 later, it finally broke down and passed.

I would play safe, especially with Christmas round the corner.

 

[nagblagger]

I would want mine checked over, like others have said, before going into a long holiday. It could be her heart at that age so i would want reassurance i was just a paranoid owner!

 

[nutjob]

48 breaths / min is very high. Like other people have said it could be the start of a colic. Have you taken his temperature? One of mine went down hill very quickly with a virus but his temp was very high as well as the breathing difficulties. I would get the vet out as ruling out colic means you don't need to keep checking throughout the night. Something like COPD could be medicated and he could be comfortable fairly quickly.

 

[Squeak]

I'd be worried about colic too. I've seen it present so many different ways and with the swings in weather and temperature it would be so easy for them to get it at the moment.

Hope that hes improved already and it was nothing to worry about.

 

[doodle]

I would be insistent that the vet came out straight away. My horses rate went to 28 and at that the vet was very concerned, never mind 48.

 

[Archangel]

Would he drink a bit of warm sugar beet tea?

 

[nagblagger]

Any update? Hope all is ok.

 

[Connemara24]

Sorry everyone, I hadn't replied. Yeah I was worried about him getting colic aswell already lost two too colic/grass sickness so very paranoid! He did stop his heavy breathing after 45 mins or so got him to drink molasses water drank a whole bucket. And gave him a sloppy feed in the evening, and this morning. Absolutely fine this morning and yesterday evening. Thank you so much everyone.

 

[Connemara24]

Is he over-rugged and hot? Temperature has risen dramatically.

He was in a 50g that night, so I did think maybe he got a bit hot. He had nothing on last night and is now in a 0g without neck. Thanks

 

[Squeak]

Relieved he seems better now. It’s always such a worry.

 

[Gloi]

My Icelandic would breathe heavily in winter for a short spell when he was hot, then when he'd cooled down a bit suddenly go back to normal. A bit scary at first until I realised he was just panting to cool off.

 

[Connemara24]

Yep they are always a worry! Wish they would quit that hobby ? thanks again

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Mine has Equine Asthma (vet scoped to determine) and she will "breathe heavily". Might be worth getting the vet to take a look if this is a concern?

 

[Connemara24]

Mine has Equine Asthma (vet scoped to determine) and she will "breathe heavily". Might be worth getting the vet to take a look if this is a concern?

Yes I think he probably does have equine asthma, as said above gets a cough from dry hay which is a absolute pain! If he does it again I'll definitely get vet out too investigate. Thanks

 

[Getbackboys]

https://thehorse.com/182620/how-cold-air-affects-equine-airways/

found this link, real,y gives good insight to cold weather heavy breathing in horses

 

[Red-1]

Glad he is OK, always a worry just before Christmas!

I have known heavy breathing to be because of colic, asthma, heat, laimi, pain, fever, excitement as well as exertion. I had one that occasionally did it at rest, never did find the reason as, by the time the vet was there, he was always fine. Lived to a ripe old age too. Fingers crossed it never happens again!

 

[Getbackboys]

from what i had read in link posted it is very weather dependent and that brings on the asthma, how it causes dryness and constricting of airways etc, int to know i thought

 

[Connemara24]

Thank you everyone

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Yes I think he probably does have equine asthma, as said above gets a cough from dry hay which is a absolute pain! If he does it again I'll definitely get vet out too investigate. Thanks

I'm currently having Salt Therapy for mine; seems to be helping her.

 

[Connemara24]

I'm currently having Salt Therapy for mine; seems to be helping her.

Just googled salt therapy it's all very interesting. Thanks