What should you know about equine asthma?

Asthma symptoms can include wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. They may be triggered by allergens, exercise, cold air, smoke, or respiratory infections. Wheezing is a common presentation of asthma, but wheezing can have other causes too. Allergic rhinitis and house dust mite allergy can coexist with asthma and may worsen airway symptoms.

Book an assessment if symptoms recur, wake you at night, or limit activity. A clinician may check your breathing pattern, review triggers, and prescribe a reliever or preventer inhaler. Use inhalers exactly as taught and keep a written action plan if one is provided. Avoid smoke and known triggers, and attend review if control changes.

Call emergency services for severe breathlessness, inability to speak normally, blue or grey lips, marked drowsiness, or symptoms that rapidly worsen. Seek same-day advice when your reliever is needed more often than directed or is not giving your usual relief.

Ask what triggers to avoid, how to check inhaler technique, when to use a nebuliser, and which symptoms mean your action plan should change.