Recurrent airway obstruction

Heaves (steam) (now called COA ) is a slang term for pulmonary emphysema in horses that arise from a chronic disease of the lungs or heart. Until January 1, 2002 heaves was a warranty defect.

Cause

If a disease of the bronchial system, usually associated with cough, not treated in time and persists over several weeks, the wet start to cough turns into a dry cough. This can quickly become chronic and consequently leads to the appearance of broken wind.

Another cause of heaves is the wrong lining the horse in winter. Often the owners cover their horses only overnight and refrain from daytime to the winter blanket. However, this means that the horse has no real day-night mode more because the temperature difference is missing.

Symptoms

Dämpfige horses breathe heavily and irregularly already with less effort, often comes to even cough. It usually distinguished from the so-called vapor channel, an indentation of the body between abdominal and rib cage. Initially it should be noted usually no degradation of performance of the horse, as it counteracts the by supporting the exhalation using the abdominal muscles and an increase in respiratory rate.

A complete cure is not possible given the current state of medicine, but can be countered with long-term preparations symptoms. Also one of the lower load of horses suitable work, and avoidance of factors that could cause irritation to the respiratory tract and lungs, is attached.

• Disease of horses