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Animal Health Respiratory Noise

SEBWAT parameter Possible causation (Standardised Equine-Based Welfare Assessment Tool) a bnormal sounds have various Respiratory noise causes or be exacerbated by different factors, for example: Welfare issue l iving or working in an environment that is dusty or contaminated with air pollutants, mould t he equid makes an audible noise whilst spores, etc. breathing, which can be heard without the use of a . Bacterial, viral or fungal of the sinus, or upper or lower respiratory tract. Prolonged elevation of the head. Welfare significance Parasitism (e.g. lungworm). r espiratory tract problems are common in e xertion (e.g. laryngeal paralysis typically causes working equids. Signs of respiratory problems noise during exercise2). can be very subtle, often just a small increase in Some examples of different types of respiratory watery discharge from the nose, a slight sounds and possible causative factors are given or , or the animal being described as less below. vigorous than normal by the owner1. An animal with respiratory noise that is audible without a stethoscope suggests a serious abnormality. e quids suffering respiratory difficulties tire more a cough is a action used by the body to quickly, lose condition and be less productive remove irritants from the airway. Equids may than their healthy counterparts. This is because cough as a result of irritation caused by foreign the body’s muscles require oxygen to work bodies inhaled into the airway (e.g. dust particles, efficiently, therefore any problems with the mould spores, pollen, fragments of fodder, respiratory tract will reduce the amount of etc.); a viral or bacterial infection; or chronic oxygen the animal can uptake. of the tissues of the respiratory tract. f requent or chronic coughing indicates a problem and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nasal discharge, raised temperature, or accelerated .

Respiratory noise can be subtle, but serious.

1 Brooke (2013) 2 Horse and Hound (2003)

Understanding Equid Welfare Issues 25 Squeaking/grating sounds Wheezes are a continuous noise made both on Known as ‘friction rubs’, these sounds are caused the in-breath (inspiration) and the out-breath by the overlying membranes of the and (expiration). Wheezing indicates inflammation the ribs rubbing against each other. These within the respiratory tract, for example in sounds usually indicate pleuritis, which is an chronic allergic conditions where the nasal inflammation of these membranes, often caused passage, and lungs become inflamed, by viral . restricting the passage of air and causing a t hey are not likely to be heard without a wheezing sound as the air is squeezed past the stethoscope. inflamed tissues.

r ecurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO, also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a snoring sound when breathing is characteristic COPD or heaves) is a common cause of wheezing of and will usually be accompanied by sounds. Often the animal will show flared a thick discharge of pus from the nostril on the nostrils even at rest, and may also develop a affected side of the face, and there may also be ‘heaves line’ on the flank below the ribs, caused facial swelling and pain on palpitation. by abnormal muscle development due to the extra effort required to expel air from the lungs. i f the condition is chronic or is related to a dental problem, (e.g. an infected tooth), then the a nimals with chronic RAO may lose weight as discharge often has a foul smell. There may also the effort required to breathe burns more calories be difficulty in breathing which is made worse by than the animal is able to replace. They can also exercise. expend more time and energy on breathing than eating3. An equid in this condition has been s inus infections often recur and can be likened to a human suffering end-stage frustrating to treat5. cancer4 and euthanasia may be the most humane option. Rattles loud, moist rattling sounds accompanied by rapid, laboured breathing; cough, nasal d iscontinued crackling sounds can indicate discharge and raised temperature in a foal can that fluid is present in the lungs, for example indicate rhodococcus equi infection (also known in pleuropneumonia or other disorders which as summer , or ‘rattles’). cause lung oedema. t he condition is characterised by abscesses in a s grazing animals, equids are designed to the lungs and the development of pneumonia. breathe efficiently with their heads lowered. Treatment is difficult and the prognosis is poor6. Forcibly preventing an equid from lowering the head can result in fluid collecting in the lungs, Note on donkeys for example through the animal spending long d onkeys rarely cough when suffering from periods tied up on a short tie (e.g. when travelling respiratory disease and may display only or not being worked) or harnessed as to prevent subtle clinical signs. Cases in donkeys are often the animal lowering its head. presented for veterinary assistance only once e quids should be regularly offered the the respiratory problem is advanced and severe7. opportunity to lower their heads to ground level to clear the airway, which can be combined with providing opportunities to graze and drink.

3, 4 Smith Thomas (2015) 5, 7 Brooke (2013) 6 Hayes (1992)

Understanding Equid Welfare Issues 26 Means of resolution

Minimising the animal’s exposure to dust, In accommodation, ensuring good ventilation, mould, smoke and other air pollutants in the avoiding overcrowding with too many animals, environment, and ensuring rest away from and using bedding materials that are low in polluted environments, can reduce risk and dust are good practices. severity of respiratory problems. Dampening feed or hay reduces dust and Good hygiene and avoiding cross- mould spores, and is often recommended contamination is key to prevent infections and practice for animals at risk of respiratory . Handlers should wash their hands problems8. Beware of soaking hay for longer between animals and take particular care if than 1 hour as this reduces its nutrient content. respiratory infection is suspected. Once soaked, the hay should not be stored due to the risk of dangerous mould growth, Quarantine procedures should be followed so should be fed to the animal straight away. whenever possible when introducing new The effluent run off is also an environmental animals to an existing group, during which pollutant. new animals of unknown origin should be isolated and carefully monitored for signs The use of nose bags should be avoided, as they of infectious disease for three weeks before reduce ventilation and quality of air. mixing with others. Behaviour and social needs Preventative treatment includes vaccination (e.g. visual contact with other animals) must be where available, and anthelmintics when considered. appropriate. Drenching (forcibly administering liquid Any respiratory problems should be medications orally) should be avoided, as this investigated straight away, because the earlier is a possible cause of treatment is started, the better the long term if the medications being administered prognosis. accidentally enter the lungs. Dehydration is a serious welfare concern in working horses and Equids suffering or recovering from respiratory donkeys. We strongly advocate that animals problems should be given rest and a reduced are offered clean, fresh water throughout the workload, particularly in cases where day and that they are given the time and space significant damage to the airway may have to drink. In circumstances where animals are occurred. unable or unwilling to drink, fluid therapy may It should be emphasised to owners and local be required. service providers that slitting of the nostrils We believe oral fluid therapy is the most does not improve breathing, or cure or prevent physiological and least invasive way to restore respiratory problems and will only increase hydration. Providing fluids through nasogastric suffering and risk of infection. (See the intubation (through the nose to the stomach) is Mutilations section for further information.) more practical than IV fluids because owners have access to water, buckets and funnels and Refer to the Working Equid Veterinary Manual, Community service providers can easily carry a stomach Engagement work plans or strategies and the Handling Guidelines tube, lubricant and electrolytes. before conducting an intervention..

Animals should be unharnessed or the pack removed to Better use of nosebag, as it is not attached to the head, so the allow air to circulate around skin, reducing etc. animal is able to get air more easily.

8 University of Kentucky (2014)

Understanding Equid Welfare Issues 27 References Ball, M. (1998) Equine Respiratory Disease Hayes, M.H. (1992) Veterinary Notes for Horse Part 2: The Lower Airway; The Horse, http:// Owners; Stanley Paul, London. www.thehorse.com/articles/10499/equine- respiratory-disease-part-2-the-lower-airway, Smith Thomas, H. (2015) A Fresh Look at accessed February 2016. Heaves; The Horse; http://www.thehorse.com/ articles/35175/a-fresh-look-at-heaves, accessed The Brooke (2013) The Working Equid February 2016. Veterinary Manual; Whittet Books, Essex.

Understanding Equid Welfare Issues 28