Infection is a serious risk for dogs with dry eye and can lead to painful, inflamed eyes. Ulcers on the cornea (surface of the eye) are also a serious risk since, without the lubricating effect of tears, the eyelid can scratch the surface of the eye just by opening and closing.
1 To check your horse's respiratory rate, stand back and watch her chest movements. 2  One in-out movement of the chest counts as one breath. 3  Count how many times this happens in one minute. 4  It's best to do this check when your horse is resting so that this will be an indication of her normal respiratory rate.. Examine your horse's coat and skin. A dull coat is a sign that the horse is either in poor condition, suffering from a lack of nutrition or not grooming herself properly. If this is the only symptom, it is likely not an emergency, but you would do well to mention it to the vet the next time you see him.
Closely observe your horseâs eating habits, gaits, activities and attitude to determine what is normal. Changes in these habits indicate a problem. Measure temperature, pulse and respiration rate if you notice changes and think your horse is ill. Count the number of these in-out movements in a minute or for 15 seconds and multiply by four. 2  An adult horse at rest should have a breathing rate ranging from 8 to 16 breaths per minute. 3  The rate increases with exercise.