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Topic:Respiratory Health
Respiratory health in horses encompasses the study of the equine respiratory system, its function, and the various conditions that can affect it. The respiratory system in horses includes the upper airways, lungs, and associated structures, which facilitate gas exchange and are vital for maintaining physiological homeostasis during rest and exercise. Common respiratory conditions in horses include equine asthma, infectious diseases like strangles, and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). These conditions can impact a horse's performance and overall health. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and management of respiratory health in horses.
Monitoring of tidal ventilation by electrical impedance tomography in anaesthetised horses. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a method to measure regional impedance changes within the thorax. The total tidal impedance variation has been used to measure changes in tidal volumes in pigs, dogs and men. Objective: To assess the ability of EIT to quantify changes in tidal volume in anaesthetised mechanically ventilated horses. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Six horses (mean ± s.d.: age 11.5 ± 7.5 years and body weight 491 ± 40 kg) were anaesthetised using isoflurane in oxygen. The lungs were mechanically ventilated using a volume-controlled mode. With an end-tidal...
Overground endoscopic findings and respiratory sound analysis in horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy after unilateral laser ventriculocordectomy. Unilateral ventriculocordectomy (VeC) is frequently performed, yet objective studies in horses with naturally occurring recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) are few. Objective: To evaluate respiratory noise and exercising overground endoscopy in horses with grade B and C laryngeal function, before and after unilateral laser VeC. Methods: Prospective study in clinically affected client-owned horses. Methods: Exercising endoscopy was performed and concurrent respiratory noise was recorded. A left-sided laser VeC was performed under standing sedation. Owners were asked to present the horse for re...
Effects of magnesium sulfate infusion on clinical signs and lung function of horses with severe asthma. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether MgSO solution administered IV would improve the clinical signs and lung function of horses with severe asthma and potentiate the effects of salbutamol inhalation in those horses. ANIMALS 6 adult horses with severe asthma. PROCEDURES Asthmatic horses were used in 3 crossover design experiments (6 treatments/horse). Clinical scores for nasal flaring and the abdominal component associated with breathing and lung function were determined before and after administration of salbutamol (800 μg, by inhalation), MgSO solution (2.2 mg/kg/min, IV, over 20 minutes), and comb...
Impact of pharyngeal endoscopic tip placement and water flushing interval on upper respiratory tract disorders in horses undergoing overground endoscopy. Endoscopic tip placement in the pharynx and water flushing interval (FI) may affect exercising upper respiratory tract (URT) endoscopic results. Objective: To determine associations between the endoscopic tip position in the pharynx and automated FI with overground endoscopic (OGE) results. Methods: Randomised balanced 2X5 factorial design. Methods: A total of n = 200 horses undergoing OGE were randomly assigned into 10 groups (n = 20/group) of different automated endoscopic FIs (no flushing, 60, 120, 180, 240 s) with the endoscope tip positioned either rostrally (position A) or caudally ...
Meta-analysis evaluating resting laryngeal endoscopy as a diagnostic tool for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in the equine athlete. Resting endoscopy has commonly been used as a method to predict laryngeal function at exercise. Objective: To perform a meta-analysis to determine the sensitivity and specificity of resting laryngeal endoscopy to predict clinical recurrent laryngeal neuropathy at exercise. Methods: Meta-analysis. Methods: Manuscripts were included if data were available for both resting and exercising airway function on all or a subset of horses. Normal resting endoscopy was defined as laryngeal grades 1 or 2 on a 4-/7-point scale or 1, 2 or 3 on a 5-point scale and normal dynamic endoscopy as a dynamic laryng...
Does antimicrobial therapy improve outcomes in horses with severe equine asthma and a positive tracheal wash bacterial culture? The objective of this study was to observe the outcomes of adding an antimicrobial treatment to a conventional treatment regime in horses with severe equine asthma in a clinical setting. Eleven client-owned horses with a history consistent with severe equine asthma, increased respiratory effort and nostril flaring, ≥ 20% neutrophils on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and a positive tracheal wash (TW) bacterial culture were treated with environmental management, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators. Six horses were also treated with an antimicrobial (principal group), while the other 5 were adm...
Effect of antigen challenge on dynamics of CD62P and CD41/61 expression on platelets in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), also known as heaves, is an allergic respiratory condition that develops in horses following an exposure to aeroallergens in hay and straw. This is manifested by airway hyperreactivity, inflammation, bronchoconstriction, as well as a leukocyte and platelet infiltration into the airways. Platelet activation and an increase in circulating platelet-leukocyte aggregates may lead to airway remodeling. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of seven-day antigen challenge on dynamics of platelet indices and CD41/61 and CD62 P expression on platelets in h...
Impact of Trendelenburg (head down) and reverse Trendelenburg (head up) position on respiratory and cardiovascular function in anaesthetized horses. To describe the cardiorespiratory effects of a change in table position in anaesthetized horses. Methods: Prospective, crossover, randomized, experimental study. Methods: Six adult horses (mean body weight 621 ± 59 kg, aged 13 ± 4 years). Methods: The horses were anaesthetized twice in dorsal recumbency. They were either placed in the Trendelenburg position (head down; HD) followed by reverse Trendelenburg position (head up; HU) or in reverse order. Every position was maintained for 90 minutes. The order of positions was randomly assigned at initial anaesthesia. Extensive cardiorespiratory m...
Prevalence and sequence analysis of equid herpesviruses from the respiratory tract of Polish horses. Equid herpesviruses (EHVs) are widespread in equine populations worldwide. While the infection with equine α-herpesviruses (EHV-1 and EHV-4) has been linked to several clinical outcomes, the pathogenic potential for equine γ-herpesviruses (EHV-2 and EHV-5) is still unclear. The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence of infection with EHVs among Polish horses, to investigate factors associated with EHV infections among horses sampled, and to determine genetic variability within Polish EHV-2 isolates. Virus-specific real-time PCR assays were used for detection of EHV-1,...
Evaluation of Histogel- and Gelfoam-embedded bronchoalveolar lavage and transtracheal wash fluids compared with cytocentrifuged and sediment smear preparations. Storage and temperature significantly impact bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis, and shipment of samples to diagnostic laboratories is often necessary. Alternative sample preparation methods could limit storage and temperature effects. Objective: This study aimed to determine if airway wash samples that were fixed in formalin after being embedded in Histogel or Gelfoam gave comparable results to fresh cytocentrifuged or sediment smear preparations for the evaluation of cell morphology. Methods: Eleven bronchoalveolar lavage and 3 transtracheal wash fluids were available, including 8 ...
Using quarterly earnings to assess racing performance in 66 thoroughbreds after transendoscopic laser surgery for treatment of epiglottic entrapment. To assess the outcome of transendoscopic laser surgery for the treatment of epiglottic entrapment (EE) and determine the influence of preoperative morphological characteristics on outcomes. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses treated with transendoscopic laser surgery (n = 66) and untreated cohorts (n = 132). Methods: Medical, surgical, and race records of 66 horses treated with transendoscopic laser surgery were compared with untreated cohorts randomly selected from their last race presurgery. Postsurgery data were collated as number of starts and rac...
Effects of on-slide fixation on the cell quality of cytocentrifuged equine bronchioalveolar lavage fluid. During bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sample preparation in horses, several technical aspects can affect sample variability. To date, the effects of different fixatives on prepared equine BALF films have been insufficiently investigated. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of various on-slide fixation methods on cell quality, including spray fixation of wet films, and acetone and methanol fixation of air-dried samples in comparison with unfixed, air-dried films. Methods: Cytocentrifuged BALF samples from 5 horses were fixed in a wet state using a commercially available fix...
Bone formation transcripts dominate the differential gene expression profile in an equine osteoporotic condition associated with pulmonary silicosis. Osteoporosis has been associated with pulmonary silicosis in California horses exposed to soils rich in cytotoxic silica dioxide crystals, a syndrome termed silicate associated osteoporosis (SAO). The causal mechanism for the development of osteoporosis is unknown. Osteoporotic lesions are primarily located in bone marrow-rich sites such as ribs, scapula and pelvis. Gene transcription patterns within bone marrow and pulmonary lymph nodes of affected horses may offer clues to disease pathobiology. Bone marrow core and tracheobronchial lymph node tissue samples harvested postmortem from affected...
Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in Thoroughbred racehorses: a longitudinal study. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is considered a progressive disease based on histopathology, but it is unknown if tracheobronchoscopic EIPH severity worsens over time. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine tracheobronchoscopic EIPH changes over time in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses. A secondary aim was to identify factors that affect changes in tracheobronchoscopic EIPH severity between observations. Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, observational cross-sectional study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses were examined with tracheobronchoscopy no earlier than 3...
Upper Airway Conditions Affecting the Equine Athlete. Many abnormalities of the upper airway that can inhibit performance are determined on a critical resting endoscopic evaluation. Some dynamic abnormalities can only be seen during an exercising endoscopic evaluation, which should be performed whenever the history of abnormal noise or performance limitations is not completely consistent with the resting endoscopic findings. Head and neck position may play a critical role in the evaluation process and the exact position during performance should be reproduced during the clinical examination to definitively define the abnormality. Treatments and p...
Cardiorespiratory effects of a 7° reverse Trendelenburg position in anaesthetized horses: a randomized clinical trial. To evaluate the cardiorespiratory effects of a 7° reverse Trendelenburg position (RTP) in anaesthetized horses. Methods: Randomized, non-blinded clinical trial. Methods: A total of 125 horses undergoing elective surgery in dorsal recumbency. Methods: Horses were allocated to one of three weight classes and assigned to be positioned either on a horizontal table or on a table in 7° RTP, according to a randomized block design. In all horses, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and a constant rate infusion of romifidine. All horses were mechanically ventilated throughout anaesth...
Technical note: Evaluation of a wireless pulse oximeter for measuring arterial oxygen saturation and pulse rate in newborn Holstein Friesian calves. Pulse oximetry is a well-established technique in human and veterinary medicine. In farm animals, it could also be a useful tool for the detection of critical conditions relating to oxygen supply and the cardiovascular system. Among other uses, an innovative application could be the monitoring of fetuses during birth. This could help in the early identification of critical situations and support farmers and veterinarians in their decision to start obstetric or life-support interventions. Until now, however, its use in ruminant medicine was still limited to experimental applications. The object...
Association of neutrophil morphology with bacterial isolates in equine tracheal wash samples. Tracheal wash sample neutrophilia is common in lower airway inflammation of various causes; however, relevance of cytomorphological features to culture of bacterial pathogens has not been established. Objective: To investigate whether the presence of nondegenerate or degenerate neutrophils in tracheal washes is associated with culture of bacteria and, if so, whether this is influenced by age or temporal factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Tracheal wash samples submitted to Rossdales LLP from 1/1/2013 to 31/7/2015 were evaluated using set criteria. Neutrophilia and degenerate neut...
Comparison of different methods to calculate venous admixture in anaesthetized horses. The aim of this study was to compare different methods to determine venous admixture (Q˙/Q˙) in anaesthetized horses. The first objective was to estimate Q˙/Q˙ using jugular venous blood oxygen content (Q˙/Q˙), and a fixed value for the oxygen extraction (F-shunt). The second objective was to assess the influence of blood pressure and positioning on oxygen extraction. The third objective was to perform regression analysis between jugular and mixed venous blood oxygen tensions. Methods: Prospective, experimental trial. Methods: The study was performed with seven warmblood horses that were...
Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of low doses of xylazine with and without acepromazine in Nordestino donkeys. Information on appropriate protocols for sedation of Nordestino donkeys is scarce. Objective: To evaluate the sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of low doses of intravenous (i.v.) xylazine with and without acepromazine in 'Nordestino' donkeys. Methods: Seven healthy female Nordestino donkeys (150 ± 18 kg) were included in this blinded, randomised, crossover experiment. Methods: Four treatments were administered, consisting of two i.v. injections, at baseline (T0, 1st injection) and 15 min later (T15, 2nd injection). Treatments included acepromazine 0.05 mg/kg bwt + saline (AS), saline + x...
Physiologic Factors Influencing the Arterial-To-End-Tidal CO2 Difference and the Alveolar Dead Space Fraction in Spontaneously Breathing Anesthetised Horses. The arterial to end-tidal CO difference (PCO) and alveolar dead space fraction (VDalv = PCO/PaCO), are used to estimate Enghoff's "pulmonary dead space" (V/Q), a factor which is also influenced by venous admixture and other pulmonary perfusion abnormalities and thus is not just a measure of dead space as the name suggests. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate which factors influence these CO indices in anesthetized spontaneously breathing horses. Six healthy adult horses were anesthetized in dorsal recumbency breathing spontaneously for 3 h. Data to calculate the CO indices...
Effects of MK-467 hydrochloride and hyoscine butylbromide on cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal changes induced by detomidine hydrochloride in horses. OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of MK-467 and hyoscine butylbromide on detomidine hydrochloride-induced cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal changes in horses. ANIMALS 6 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES Horses received detomidine hydrochloride (20 μg/kg, IV), followed 10 minutes later by MK-467 hydrochloride (150 μg/kg; DET-MK), hyoscine butylbromide (0.2 mg/kg; DET-HYO), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (DET-S), IV, in a Latin square design. Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, arterial and venous blood pressures, and cardiac output were measured; blood gases and arterial plas...
Impact of season, age and gender on some clinical, haematological and serum parameters in Shetland ponies in east province, Saudi Arabia. The Shetland ponies, which originate from harshest environments in the world islands in the north of the Atlantic Ocean, are now most popular pony breed distributed in almost every corner of the world. Reference ranges of physiological, biochemical and haematological values, which are widely used in veterinary clinics, may differ according to season, age, sex, type of feeding, and environmental circumstances of the area. Reference ranges of haematological and biochemical values of Shetland ponies are rare. The present study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the impact of season, age and sex...
Characterization of isolates of Bordetella bronchiseptica from horses. is a well-known Gram-negative bacterial pathogen causing a plethora of diseases in different animals. Although its infection has been reported from pigs and dogs in India, no report of B. bronchiseptica from horses is described. We report for the first time, isolation, identification and characterization of strains of B. bronchiseptica from respiratory infection in horses from different states in India. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed resistance to penicillins, ceftazidime, and chloramphanicol. The virulence capability of the strains was confirmed by sequencing genes such as a...
Use of Nasotracheal Intubation during General Anesthesia in Two Ponies with Tracheal Collapse. Ponies with tracheal collapse may have an increased anesthetic risk due to airway obstruction during induction and recovery. To our knowledge, there are no anesthetic descriptions of these patients, despite a reported 5.6% incidence and 77% mortality rate. Two Shetland ponies with tracheal collapse, a 12-year-old male (pony 1) and a 27-year-old female (pony 2), were referred for right eye enucleation due to a perforating corneal ulcer and severe recurrent uveitis, respectively. Pony 1 was stressed, had lung stridor and hyperthermia, and developed inspiratory dyspnea with handling. Radiography ...
Venom and Antivenom of the Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) in Japan. Part I. Venom Extraction, Preparation, and Laboratory Testing. The redback spider (Latrodectus hasseltii Thorell) reportedly invaded Japan in September 1995. To date, 84 redback spider bite cases have been reported; 7 of these cases employed the antivenom. Antivenom has been imported from Australia in the past, but because of restrictions on exportation it was evident that nearly all of the antivenom present in Japan would expire during 2014. In 2014, a plan was proposed to experimentally manufacture and stockpile a horse antiserum for ourselves, using redback spiders indigenous to Japan. A total of 11,403 female spiders were captured alive: 1,217 from th...
Influence of bronchoalveolar lavage on thoracic radiography in the horse. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and thoracic radiography are routinely performed diagnostic procedures. We hypothesized that BAL increases the interstitial opacity of caudoventral and caudodorsal thoracic radiographs. Fifty-three horses, including 8 clinic owned and 45 from a referral hospital population, were classified as healthy controls (n = 12), severe equine asthma (recurrent airway obstruction, n = 12) or mild-to-moderate equine asthma (inflammatory airway disease, n = 21) based on the results of a clinical scoring system. Eight were excluded due to different diagnoses and poor image quali...
