E very healthy lung function is very important for our partner horse. Unfortunately, there are actually many riding horses that are affected by respiratory diseases such as COPD or COB. Therefore, a cough in a horse should immediately set off all alarm bells for the horse owner. Quick action is needed to prevent chronic bronchitis from developing.
But what actually is COPD, ROA and Co and how do they differ?? In this article we will show you the different forms of respiratory diseases in horses, offer valuable tips and hopefully shed some light on the subject.
Respiratory diseases at a glance:
Disease pattern of COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / COB (chronic obstructive bronchitis)
In most cases, COB in horses (formerly known as damping off) is preceded by acute bronchitis. Triggered by viruses or bacteria, equine cough takes a lot out of the animal. Considerable mucus is produced. The self-cleaning mechanism of the lungs is no longer able to help itself with this amount of secretion. Consequence: Mucolytics must be added to the horse! The already irritated mucous membranes are very vulnerable in this condition. Further infections are unfortunately thus not excluded. Research has shown that horses kept in stalls are more affected than those kept in the open air in open stable or pasture keeping. Ammonia gases, dust and mold spores are simply more harmful to the respiratory tract in closed stalls. Understandable for you, or? Since a few years the terms COPD. COB, however, no longer used. The new names for the lung problem are: RAO (Recurrent airway obstruction) and IAD (Inflammatory airway disease). RAO you can equate with the asthma of us humans. It is very much based on allergens as described above. It can even be pollen triggers. So do not forget: COPD in horses and COB in horses are actually RAO and you will be able to find more under it on the net by now. What then distinguishes RAO. IAD from each other?
In respiratory disease IAD, the causes are described as allergic processes, immunodeficiency and infections by viruses. Often even young horses are affected. The equine cough mainly manifests itself during exertion. May result in an enormous drop in performance. There is hope, however, because the animals can recover completely with appropriate treatment.
RAO is "more extensive. The mucous membranes of the affected horses swell strongly and coughing spasms try to get rid of the tough mucus, which always forms to. Breathing is significantly more difficult. Even at rest, an increased respiratory rate is measurable. In IAD horses breathing is usually normal at rest.
RAO symptoms:
– nasal discharge – regular, persistent cough (initially on exertion or dust) – heavy mucus production – high respiratory rate – nostrils flare – decrease in performance – recognizable abdominal breathing, in severe cases steam groove visible – fever
IAD symptoms:
– typical is a decrease in performance – coughing during exertion – nasal discharge rather slight or not at all – the disease can also accompany almost without symptoms
Examination in this regard:
First and foremost, the veterinarian or equine clinic should always take a history. You will be asked about the keeping conditions, the feeding and the performance of your animal. After that follows the clinical examination of your horse. Pulse, respiration, temperature and listening as well as tapping the lungs are the most important components. An allergy test can also be considered. An examination of the blood (arterial blood gas analysis). In most cases it is recommended to perform a bronchoscopy if the horse's cough cannot be controlled. In this case the condition of the mucous membrane. The formed secretion more precisely determined. The veterinarian may also take samples and send them to the laboratory for testing to gain better insight into possible lung disease (e.g., IAD). B. chronic bronchitis) and how he must continue to be treated. An x-ray or ultrasound may be needed in case of difficulty in identifying the disease.
Treatment procedure:
The veterinarian will first optimize the housing conditions. That means z. B. a change from straw to a less dusty bedding like e.g. Shavings and/or feeding of steamed hay. Mucolytics can be prescribed for the horse, as well as respiratory medications or an antibiotic. In very acute cases, cortisone is used to bring the horse rapid relief of symptoms. Rarely a lung lavage is applied.
Furthermore, inhaling with an inhaler in horses is quite recommended to you. Inhalation has already proven to be very helpful in human medicine. Rapidly shows relief from respiratory diseases. Chronic bronchitis can be well controlled by inhalation. But not only the COPD horse benefits from inhalation. Any "stable horse this treatment does good. Often the device can be borrowed from the manufacturer or from your veterinarian for a certain period of time. Smaller, manual devices can already be found for sale in specialized shops.
There is also the possibility of brine therapy for horses. Maybe you have heard about it before? This is also offered mobile. A specially converted horse trailer exhales salty sea air towards the horse like a giant inhaler. You do not have to drive your horse to the clinic. This can be done practically on the spot. This is inhalation in a stately order of magnitude!
If your veterinarian has an additional naturopathic training or if you know a good naturopath for horses, he/she can give the horse a jump start for self-healing with homeopathy or elicit the horse's own body powers with acupuncture and autohemotherapy. If you have a COPD horse this is useful in any case. Cough horse homeopathy – if someone knows his stuff, it's him. Especially in case of respiratory diseases the small pellets can have a great effect. Animals respond well to globules.
So you can do even your favorite a lot of good:
Each COB horse should also be supported from the inside with a supplementary feed. Breath Free from Alpurial as a supplementary feed for your horse is a mixture of the best herbs in perfect composition. Black cumin oil, often used for respiratory disorders, is combined with herbal oils specially adapted to the respiratory tract, such as eucaliptus, niaouli oil and other valuable herbs.
Functions such as expectoration and secretion solution through the dilution of thick mucus in the throat can be supported. In addition, the relaxation of the stressed muscles during coughing is a point that should not be neglected.
Not only in case of bronchial problems, but also in case of dust allergy, special attention should be paid to the diet of horses. Breath free provides a fresh breath. Supports recovery from common respiratory problems. Do something good for your pet. Support it with Alpurial Breath-Free.