Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a disease of the lower
airways of horses. It is commonly known as heaves. COPD can be cause by
allergies, or irritants in the environment, or as a sequelae to viral
respiratory infections. The signs can come on gradually or suddenly. In
horses with allergies the signs usually worsen with time.
Diagnosis of COPD begins with the history of the problem, and an
evaluation of the environment and feed, a physical examination, and specific
evaluation of the respiratory tract via auscultation (listening with a
stethoscope), endoscopic exam, tracheobronchial aspiration (sampling the
cells and fluid present in the respiratory tract), laboratory evaluation of
blood, and/or chest radiographs. Occasionally, allergy testing is also
performed.
A frequent and common cause of allergies and COPD in horses are molds
present in hay and bedding. Often in northern climates, where horses are
housed indoors, and there is an accumulation of allergens and irritants in
their environment, COPD is a problem. COPD can also be a seasonal problem as
different plants go into bloom. Sometimes, just the dust of bedding or
arenas can induce problems with COPD. Viral respiratory infections can also
predispose horses to difficulties with COPD.
Clinical signs of COPD range from exercise intolerance to severe
difficulty breathing, coughs, and nasal discharge, sometimes accompanied by
weight loss. Horses with long standing cases of COPD will often have a
"heave line." This is an increase in muscle along the lower chest and
abdomen from an increased effort by the horse to exhale. These horses will
demonstrate a double expiratory effort.
The most important aspect of treatment for COPD is decreasing the
exposure to allergens and irritants in the horse's environment. Removing all
moldy hay and bedding from the barn, watering the hay in paddock areas to
decrease dust, housing the horse outdoors away from increased levels of
allergens, and avoiding grazing in areas of suspected allergens. In
addition, horses are often treated with corticosteroids to decrease the
inflammation in the airways and counter the effects of the allergens.
Bronchodilators are also used to alleviate bronchospasms. The recently
approved drug, clenbuterol (Ventipulman syrup) is an effective bronchdilator.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be a very serious problem to our
equine friends.
If you suspect your horse may have a problem with COPD, see your
veterinarian.
Ventipulmin Available!
The FDA has recently approved the drug clenbuterol (Ventipulman syrup)
for use in horses in the treatment of bronchospasms. Heaves has long been a
serious problem for horses throughout the world. This asthma-like condition
causes airway obstruction via increased mucous production, bronchospasms,
and inflammation of the airways.
Treatment in the U.S. has been limited to avoidance of allergens and
treatment with corticosteroids. Now we have available this bronchodilator,
which is administered orally twice daily, for up to thirty days. It is
effective at low doses when given in conjunction with allergen avoidance and
corticosteroids and at higher doses alone. It is important to gradually
increase the dosage to avoid untoward side effects. See your veterinarian
for more information about this new drug.
For More Information Contact:
Alaska Equine & Small Animal Hospital, LLC
PO Box 671512 Chugiak, Alaska 99567
Tel: 907-688-9303
FAX: 907-688-2520
Send mail to info@aesah.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified:
11/16/07
