Horses exposed to fire smoke can suffer respiratory injury of varying degrees, ranging from mild irritation to severe smoke inhalation-induced airway or lung damage.
Knowing what is normal versus concerning can help to know whether your horse should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Respiratory rate at rest should be 12-24 breaths/minute.
Horses should be examined by a veterinarian if any of the following are noted:
Respiratory rate is consistently greater than 30 breaths/minute at rest
Nostrils have obvious flaring
There is obvious increased effort of breathing when watching the horse’s abdomen and rib cage
There is repetitive or deep coughing, OR
Abnormal nasal discharge
Horses should also be monitored for skin and tissue injury, especially for the first few days after exposure.
