Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): identification of affected horses.

This research investigated ways to identify horses suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Various clinical parameters were examined in relation to COPD and normal values for PaO and max A Ppl were determined.

Research Methodology

• The researchers examined a series of 100 horses, using the calculated normal values for PaO and max A Ppl in horses.
• Two standard deviations below and above these normal values were used to identify horses affected by COPD.
• They also examined the frequency of occurrence of 20 different clinical parameters in affected, not affected, and possibly affected horses.
• These parameters included symptoms like poor work performance, history of febrile illness, chronic cough, dyspnoea, double expiratory effort, increased breathing sounds, wheezing, and crepitant breathing sounds.
• Radiological examinations and haematological examinations were also conducted as part of the study.

Key Findings

• The researchers found that several symptoms occurred more frequently in horses with COPD. These included poor work performance, history of previous febrile illness, chronic cough, dyspnoea, double expiratory effort, increased breathing sounds, wheezing, and crepitant breathing sounds.
• In particular, the presence of prolonged coughing was highly indicative of COPD.
• Crepitant breathing sounds were only observed in horses in the affected group, while wheezing and increased respiration sounds were observed in a high proportion of horses affected with COPD.
• A diagnosis of COPD based solely on these clinical parameters would lead to an unacceptably low number of cases being recognised, emphasizing the need for other diagnostic tools.
• Radiological examinations were found to be helpful, but x-ray films were difficult to interpret.
• Haematological examinations were found to be of no help in diagnosing COPD.
• Horses affected by COPD benefitted from removal from contact with hay and straw, implying the potential role of such substances in causing or exacerbating the symptoms of COPD.

Conclusion

• The combination of different clinical parameters and normal values for PaO and max A Ppl, as well as isolation from hay and straw, can aid in the diagnosis of COPD in horses. This is vital for providing timely and appropriate treatments, thereby improving the health and performance of affected horses.