Update on therapeutics for obstructive pulmonary diseases in horses

Round bale hay should not be provided as it is particularly allergenic and can cause environmental control to fail [9]. If turn-out is not possible, for example due to weather conditions, stalled horses should be maintained in a clean, controlled environment.

Complete feeds totally eliminate the need for roughage, although some horses prefer hay cubes or hay silage which are equally acceptable. Soaked hay should not be fed as dust is incompletely removed and the nutritional content is poor. Shavings, newspaper or peat rather than straw should be used to bed animals, and supplies of hay and straw should not be kept in the same building as an RAO-afflicted animal.

The addition of good ventilation to the stable design is also helpful. For example, a louvered vent may be added at the back of the stable and the top door kept permanently open. Some horses will be controlled by environmental management alone. When medical therapy is necessary, bronchodilators and corticosteroids are used. Bronchodilators, such as clenbuterol, relieve bronchospasm and minimise respiratory distress.

Since mucus accumulation and inflammatory changes in the airway wall also contribute to obstruction, complete resolution may not be seen [7]. Atropine is the best "rescue drug" in the event of severe respiratory distress.

The concurrent administration of corticosteroids with bronchodilators addresses airway inflammation as well as bronchospasm.

Oral, intravenous of inhaled steroids may be used. Inhaled steroids are advantageous as they are delivered directly to the site of inflammation and so lower doses are required. Fewer systemic side-effects are therefore experienced. However, in RAO the airways requiring anti-inflammatory treatment are obstructed, and inhaled steroids are only of use after lung function has been improved through the used of bronchodilators or systemic corticosteroids [7].

This prior treatment may not be necessary before the use of inhaled medication in mild cases of RAO. Generally, medical treatment should be considered a short-term measure while environmental improvements are instituted.

Durham, A Update on therapeutics for obstructive pulmonary diseases in horses. In Practice , 23 8 , From WikiVet English. Recurrent Airway Obstruction. Chronic hypersensitivity bronchitis. The Equine Veterinary Journal , 22 , Navigation menu Personal tools Create account Log in. Namespaces Page Discussion. However, horses with moderate to severe signs of COPD will also require medical treatment, at least initially. Treatment will often involve combined use of bronchodilator and corticosteroid drugs.

Bronchodilator drugs e. Relief of bronchospasm will result in marked clinical improvement. However, this relief is short-lived and longer term drug therapy must be directed at reducing airway inflammation.

This is achieved through use of corticosteroid drugs. Although environmental management will always be the most important factor in the control of COPD, some horses will require long-term treatment with corticosteroids to control the underlying airway inflammation. Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for free now! Search Library Entire Site. Library Section Only. Research in Veterinary Science , 83 2 , pp.

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