Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the horse. 2: Therapy

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Equine Health
• Respiratory Diseases

Background:

• Equine chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory condition in horses.
• The primary cause of COPD is exposure to allergenic antigens found in hay and straw, such as thermophilic actinomycetes and moulds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline effective environmental management strategies for treating equine COPD.
• To discuss the role of pharmacological interventions in managing COPD symptoms and preventing exacerbations.

Main Methods:

• Reducing horse exposure to environmental allergens through housing and diet modifications.
• Utilizing dust-free bedding materials like shredded paper, wood shavings, or peat moss.
• Feeding a complete cubed diet and avoiding supplementary hay, except for dust-free, vacuum-packed options.

Main Results:

• Environmental control measures typically lead to horses becoming asymptomatic within 7 to 14 days.
• Bronchodilators and corticosteroids provide temporary relief, especially during acute attacks.
• Combined therapy of oral bronchodilators and environmental control can accelerate clinical sign remission.

Conclusions:

• Minimizing antigen exposure through environmental management is the cornerstone of equine COPD therapy.
• Pharmacological treatments can supplement environmental control for acute symptoms and prevention.
• Inhaled sodium cromoglycate offers a prophylactic option for asymptomatic horses facing unavoidable antigen exposure.