FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(12); doi: 10.3390/ani13121962

Co-Occurrence of Severe Equine Asthma and Palatal Disorders in Privately Owned Pleasure Horses.

Abstract: According to the "unified or united airway disease" theory, diseases in the upper and lower airways frequently co-occur because they represent a single morphological and functional unit. Palatal disorders (PDs) and severe equine asthma (SEA) are frequent diseases that, respectively, affect upper and lower equine airways; however, clinical studies focusing on the co-occurrence of PDs and SEA are limited. The present study investigated the prevalence of PDs in horses affected by SEA, and whether prevalence decreased after SEA treatment. Forty-six privately owned horses affected by SEA in exacerbation were included. For each horse, the severity of the asthma clinical signs was assessed using a previously described scoring system, and the co-occurrence of palatal disorders was investigated using overground endoscopy, before and after treatment for SEA. Before treatment (in exacerbation), 67.4% of SEA-affected horses showed evidence of PDs, including 39.1% showing evidence of palatal instability (PI) and 28.3% of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Airway inflammation (neutrophil percentage in the tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) was worse in horses with co-occurring PDs. After treatment (in remission), no horses showed evidence of PI, while DDSP was diagnosed in 8.7% of horses. These findings suggest that palatal disorders respond to asthma treatment, supporting the hypothesis that both diseases could be manifestation of a common underlying disorder.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-06-12 PubMed ID: 37370472PubMed Central: PMC10295701DOI: 10.3390/ani13121962Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study analyzes the prevalence of Palatal Disorders (PDs) in horses suffering from Severe Equine Asthma (SEA) and also observes any changes in this prevalence after treatment for SEA. The research shows a high occurrence of PDs in SEA affected horses which decreased following SEA treatment, thus hinting at the fact that both the disorders might be a manifestation of a common underlying disorder.

Study Purpose and Design

  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Palatal Disorders (PDs) in horses affected by Severe Equine Asthma (SEA), a frequent disease affecting the lower equine airways.
  • The researchers adopted a unified or united airway disease theory, which suggests that diseases in the upper and lower airways often co-occur as they represent a singular morphological and functional unit.
  • The study also aimed to determine whether the prevalence of PDs, which impact the upper equine airways, decreases after treatment for SEA.
  • A total of 46 privately-owned horses affected by SEA in exacerbation were included in the study.

Method of Investigation

  • For each horse involved in the study, the severity of SEA was determined using a previously defined scoring system.
  • The co-occurrence of palatal disorders was identified using overground endoscopy, both before and after treatment for SEA.
  • The researchers diagnosed Palatal Instability (PI) and Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate (DDSP), both types of PDs, and recorded the percentage of horses with these disorders.

Findings and Conclusion

  • Before SEA treatment, 67.4% of the horses showed signs of PD, 39.1% had evidence of PI and 28.3% demonstrated DDSP.
  • Airway inflammation was worse in horses with co-occurring PDs.
  • After treatment for SEA, no horses showed evidence of PI, and only 8.7% of horses were diagnosed with DDSP.
  • The significant reduction in the prevalence of PDs post SEA treatment led the researchers to hypothesize that both the PDs and SEA might be manifestations of a common underlying disorder.

This study thus contributes valuable insights into the possible correlation between SEA and PDs exploring the united airway disease theory in the context of horses. The findings could potentially inform more effective treatment strategies for horses suffering from SEA and PDs.

Cite This Article

APA
Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Pawliński B, Domino M. (2023). Co-Occurrence of Severe Equine Asthma and Palatal Disorders in Privately Owned Pleasure Horses. Animals (Basel), 13(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13121962

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 12

Researcher Affiliations

Kozłowska, Natalia
  • Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.
Wierzbicka, Małgorzata
  • Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.
Pawliński, Bartosz
  • Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.
Domino, Małgorzata
  • Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 52 references
  1. Couëtil LL, Cardwell JM, Gerber V, Lavoie JP, Léguillette R, Richard EA. Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses—Revised Consensus Statement. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2016;30:503–515.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.13824pmc: PMC4913592pubmed: 26806374google scholar: lookup
  2. Couetil L, Cardwell JM, Leguillette R, Mazan M, Richard E, Bienzle D, Bullone M, Gerber V, Ivester K, Lavoie JP. Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Front. Vet. Sci. 2020;7:450.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00450pmc: PMC7438831pubmed: 32903600google scholar: lookup
  3. Bullone M, Lavoie JP. The Equine Asthma Model of Airway Remodeling: From a Veterinary to a Human Perspective. Cell Tissue Res. 2020;380:223–236.
    doi: 10.1007/s00441-019-03117-4pubmed: 31713728google scholar: lookup
  4. Bond S, Léguillette R, Richard EA, Couetil L, Lavoie JP, Martin JG, Pirie RS. Equine Asthma: Integrative Biologic Relevance of a Recently Proposed Nomenclature. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2018;32:2088–2098.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15302pmc: PMC6271326pubmed: 30294851google scholar: lookup
  5. Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Jasiński T, Domino M. Advances in the Diagnosis of Equine Respiratory Diseases: A Review of Novel Imaging and Functional Techniques. Animals 2022;12:381.
    doi: 10.3390/ani12030381pmc: PMC8833607pubmed: 35158704google scholar: lookup
  6. Léguillette R. Recurrent Airway Obstruction—Heaves. Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. 2003;19:63–86.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(02)00067-6pubmed: 12747662google scholar: lookup
  7. Simões J, Sales Luís JP, Tilley P. Owner Compliance to an Environmental Management Protocol for Severe Equine Asthma Syndrome. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2020;87:102937.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102937pubmed: 32172903google scholar: lookup
  8. Barakzai SZ, Hawkes CS. Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate and Palatal Instability. Equine Vet. Educ. 2010;22:253–264.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3292.2010.00060.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  9. Franklin SH, Naylor JRJ, Lane JG. Videoendoscopic Evaluation of the Upper Respiratory Tract in 93 Sport Horses during Exercise Testing on a High-Speed Treadmill. Equine Vet. J. Suppl. 2006;38:540–545.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05601.xpubmed: 17402480google scholar: lookup
  10. Holcombe SJ, Derksen FJ, Stick JA, Robinson NE. Effect of Bilateral Blockade of the Pharyngeal Branch of the Vagus Nerve on Soft Palate Function in Horses. Am. J. Vet. Res. 1998;59:504–508.
    pubmed: 9563638
  11. Cheetham J, Pigott JH, Hermanson JW, Campoy L, Soderholm LV, Thorson LM, Ducharme NG. Role of the Hypoglossal Nerve in Equine Nasopharyngeal Stability. J. Appl. Physiol. 2009;107:471–477.
    doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.91177.2008pubmed: 19498094google scholar: lookup
  12. Ducharme NG, Hackett RP, Woodie JB, Dykes N, Erb HN, Mitchell LM, Soderholm LV. Investigations into the Role of the Thyrohyoid Muscles in the Pathogenesis of Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate in Horses. Equine Vet. J. 2003;35:258–263.
    doi: 10.2746/042516403776148200pubmed: 12755428google scholar: lookup
  13. Holcombe S, Ducharme N. Equine Respiratory Medicine and Surgery. Elsevier; Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2007. Disorders of the Nasopharynx and Soft Palate; pp. 437–457.
  14. Couroucé A, Geffroy O, Barrey E, Auvinet B, Rose RJ. Comparison of Exercise Tests in French Trotters under Training Track, Racetrack and Treadmill Conditions. Equine Vet. J. Suppl. 1999;31:528–532.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05278.xpubmed: 10659312google scholar: lookup
  15. Holcombe SJ, Derksen FJ, Stick JA, Robinson NE. Pathophysiology of Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate in Horses. Equine Vet. J. 2010;31:45–48.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05186.xpubmed: 10659220google scholar: lookup
  16. Van Erck E. Dynamic Respiratory Videoendoscopy in Ridden Sport Horses: Effect of Head Flexion, Riding and Airway Inflammation in 129 Cases. Equine Vet. J. 2011;43:18–24.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00492.xpubmed: 22082441google scholar: lookup
  17. Pigott JH, Ducharme NG, Mitchell LM, Soderholm LV, Cheetham J. Incidence of Swallowing during Exercise in Horses with Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate: Swallowing in Horses with DDSP. Equine Vet. J. 2010;42:732–737.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00116.xpubmed: 21039804google scholar: lookup
  18. Desmaizieres LM, Serraud N, Plainfosse B, Michel A, Tamzali Y. Dynamic Respiratory Endoscopy without Treadmill in 68 Performance Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Saddle Horses under Natural Training Conditions. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:347–352.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X427169pubmed: 19562895google scholar: lookup
  19. Giovannini-Chami L, Paquet A, Sanfiorenzo C, Pons N, Cazareth J, Magnone V, Lebrigand K, Chevalier B, Vallauri A, Julia V. The “One Airway, One Disease” Concept in Light of Th2 Inflammation. Eur. Respir. J. 2018;52:1800437.
    doi: 10.1183/13993003.00437-2018pubmed: 30190271google scholar: lookup
  20. Tiotiu A, Novakova P, Baiardini I, Bikov A, Chong-Neto H, de-Sousa JC, Emelyanov A, Heffler E, Fogelbach GG, Kowal K. Manifesto on United Airways Diseases (UAD): An Interasma (Global Asthma Association—GAA) Document. J. Asthma. 2022;59:639–654.
    doi: 10.1080/02770903.2021.1879130pubmed: 33492196google scholar: lookup
  21. Bousquet J, Khaltaev N, Cruz AA, Denburg J, Fokkens WJ, Togias A, Zuberbier T, Baena-Cagnani CE, Canonica GW, van Weel C. Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008 Update (in Collaboration with the World Health Organization, GA(2)LEN and AllerGen). Allergy 2008;63((Suppl. S86)):8–160.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01620.xpubmed: 18331513google scholar: lookup
  22. Feng CH, Miller MD, Simon RA. The United Allergic Airway: Connections between Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, and Chronic Sinusitis. Am. J. Rhinol. Allergy. 2012;26:187–190.
    doi: 10.2500/ajra.2012.26.3762pmc: PMC3906509pubmed: 22643942google scholar: lookup
  23. Alkhalil M, Schulman E, Getsy J. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Asthma: What Are the Links?. J. Clin. Sleep Med. JCSM Off. Publ. Am. Acad. Sleep Med. 2009;5:71–78.
    doi: 10.5664/jcsm.27397pmc: PMC2637171pubmed: 19317386google scholar: lookup
  24. Li RC, Singh U, Windom HP, Gorman S, Bernstein JA. Clinical Associations in the Diagnosis of Vocal Cord Dysfunction. Ann. Allergy. Asthma. Immunol. 2016;117:354–358.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2016.08.002pubmed: 27590638google scholar: lookup
  25. Settipane RJ, Hagy GW, Settipane GA. Long-Term Risk Factors for Developing Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis: A 23-Year Follow-up Study of College Students. Allergy Proc. Off. J. Reg. State Allergy Soc. 1994;15:21–25.
    doi: 10.2500/108854194778816634pubmed: 8005452google scholar: lookup
  26. Sekosan M, Zakkar M, Wenig BL, Olopade CO, Rubinstein I. Inflammation in the Uvula Mucosa of Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The Laryngoscope 1996;106:1018–1020.
    doi: 10.1097/00005537-199608000-00021pubmed: 8699893google scholar: lookup
  27. Waldmann A, Meira C, Auer U, Böhme S, Braun C, Bohm S, Mosing M. Contribution of Finite Element Model of Animals to Data Base; Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Electrical Impedance; Stockholm, Sweden. 19–23 June 2016; Jun 19.
  28. Joó K, Povázsai Á, Nyerges-Bohák Z, Szenci O, Kutasi O. Asthmatic Disease as an Underlying Cause of Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate in Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2021;96:103308.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103308pubmed: 33349416google scholar: lookup
  29. Nanda A, Wasan AN. Clinical Assessment of Allergen Immunotherapy with Differing Doses of Horse Extract. Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. Off. Publ. Am. Coll. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2014;112:76.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2013.10.012pubmed: 24331400google scholar: lookup
  30. Richard EA, Fortier GD, Denoix JM, Art T, Lekeux PM, Erck E van. Influence of Subclinical Inflammatory Airway Disease on Equine Respiratory Function Evaluated by Impulse Oscillometry. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:384–389.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X366121pubmed: 19562901google scholar: lookup
  31. Couetil LL, Rosenthal FS, DeNicola DB, Chilcoat CD. Clinical Signs, Evaluation of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid, and Assessment of Pulmonary Function in Horses with Inflammatory Respiratory Disease. Am. J. Vet. Res. 2001;62:538–546.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.538pubmed: 11327461google scholar: lookup
  32. Gerber V, Straub R, Marti E, Hauptman J, Herholz C, King M, Imhof A, Tahon L, Robinson NE. Endoscopic Scoring of Mucus Quantity and Quality: Observer and Horse Variance and Relationship to Inflammation, Mucus Viscoelasticity and Volume. Equine Vet. J. 2004;36:576–582.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164044864525pubmed: 15581321google scholar: lookup
  33. Hoffman AM. Bronchoalveolar Lavage: Sampling Technique and Guidelines for Cytologic Preparation and Interpretation. Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. 2008;24:423–435.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2008.04.003pubmed: 18652963google scholar: lookup
  34. Richard EA, Fortier GD, Lekeux PM, Van Erck E. Laboratory Findings in Respiratory Fluids of the Poorly-Performing Horse. Vet. J. 2010;185:115–122.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.05.003pubmed: 19481964google scholar: lookup
  35. Lavoie JP, Bullone M, Rodrigues N, Germim P, Albrecht B, Von Salis-Soglio M. Effect of Different Doses of Inhaled Ciclesonide on Lung Function, Clinical Signs Related to Airflow Limitation and Serum Cortisol Levels in Horses with Experimentally Induced Mild to Severe Airway Obstruction. Equine Vet. J. 2019;51:779–786.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13093pmc: PMC7379559pubmed: 30854685google scholar: lookup
  36. Lane JG, Bladon B, Little DRM, Naylor JRJ, Franklin SH. Dynamic Obstructions of the Equine Upper Respiratory Tract. Part 1: Observations during High-Speed Treadmill Endoscopy of 600 Thoroughbred Racehorses. Equine Vet. J. 2010;38:393–399.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406778400583pubmed: 16986598google scholar: lookup
  37. Allen K, Franklin S. Characteristics of Palatal Instability in Thoroughbred Racehorses and Their Association with the Development of Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate: Characteristics of Palatal Instability in Thoroughbred Racehorses. Equine Vet. J. 2013;45:454–459.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12004pubmed: 23294046google scholar: lookup
  38. Courouce-Malblanc A, Deniau V, Rossignol F, Corde R, Leleu C, Maillard K, Pi PH, Pronost S, Fortier G. Physiological Measurements and Prevalence of Lower Airway Diseases in Trotters with Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate. Equine Vet. J. 2010;42:246–255.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00276.xpubmed: 21059014google scholar: lookup
  39. Wysocka B, Kluciński W. The Occurrence of Dynamic Structural Disorders in the Pharynx and Larynx, at Rest and during Exercise, in Horses Diagnosed with Mild and Moderate Equine Asthma (Inflammatory Airway Disease). Pol. J. Vet. Sci. 2018;21:203–211.
    doi: 10.24425/119042pubmed: 29624000google scholar: lookup
  40. Lo Feudo CM, Stancari G, Collavo F, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Upper and Lower Airways Evaluation and Its Relationship with Dynamic Upper Airway Obstruction in Racehorses. Animals 2022;12:1563.
    doi: 10.3390/ani12121563pmc: PMC9219429pubmed: 35739899google scholar: lookup
  41. Davidson EJ, Harris M, Martin BB, Nolen-Walston R, Boston RC, Reef V. Exercising Blood Gas Analysis, Dynamic Upper Respiratory Tract Obstruction, and Postexercising Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology—A Comparative Study in Poor Performing Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2011;31:475–480.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.003google scholar: lookup
  42. Koblinger K, Nicol J, McDonald K, Wasko A, Logie N, Weiss M, Léguillette R. Endoscopic Assessment of Airway Inflammation in Horses. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2011;25:1118–1126.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00788.xpubmed: 21985142google scholar: lookup
  43. Art T, Anderson L, Woakes AJ, Roberts C, Butler PJ, Snow DH, LekeuxL P. Mechanics of Breathing during Strenuous Exercise in Thoroughbred Horses. Respir. Physiol. 1990;82:279–294.
    doi: 10.1016/0034-5687(90)90098-Jpubmed: 2080318google scholar: lookup
  44. Mazan M. Equine Exercise Physiology—Challenges to the Respiratory System. Anim. Front. Rev. Mag. Anim. Agric. 2022;12:15–24.
    doi: 10.1093/af/vfac035pmc: PMC9197307pubmed: 35711503google scholar: lookup
  45. Hinchcliff KW, Kaneps AJ, Geor RJ. Equine Exercise Physiology: The Science of Exercise in the Athletic Horse. Elsevier Health Sciences; Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2008.
  46. Millares-Ramirez EM, Lavoie J. Bronchial Angiogenesis in Horses with Severe Asthma and Its Response to Corticosteroids. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2021;35:2026–2034.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16159pmc: PMC8295704pubmed: 34048095google scholar: lookup
  47. Cook WR. A Hypothetical, Aetiological Relationship between the Horse’s Bit, Nasopharyngeal Asphyxia and Negative Pressure Pulmonary Oedema: The Horse’s Bit and Negative Pressure Pulmonary Oedema. Equine Vet. Educ. 2014;26:381–389.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12196google scholar: lookup
  48. Gosker HR, van Mameren H, van Dijk PJ, Engelen MPKJ, van der Vusse GJ, Wouters EFM, Schols AMWJ. Skeletal Muscle Fibre-Type Shifting and Metabolic Profile in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Eur. Respir. J. 2002;19:617–625.
    doi: 10.1183/09031936.02.00762001pubmed: 11998989google scholar: lookup
  49. Gehlen H, Oey L, Rohn K, Bilzer T, Stadler P. Pulmonary Dysfunction and Skeletal Muscle Changes in Horses with RAO. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2008;22:1014–1021.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0111.xpubmed: 18498323google scholar: lookup
  50. Christley RM, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ, Hodgson JL, Wood JLN, Reid SWJ. Coughing in Thoroughbred Racehorses: Risk Factors and Tracheal Endoscopic and Cytological Findings. Vet. Rec. 2001;148:99–104.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.148.4.99pubmed: 11232940google scholar: lookup
  51. Davis KU, Sheats MK. Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology Characteristics and Seasonal Changes in a Herd of Pastured Teaching Horses. Front. Vet. Sci. 2019;6:74.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00074pmc: PMC6426765pubmed: 30923711google scholar: lookup
  52. Bond SL, Timsit E, Workentine M, Alexander T, Léguillette R. Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Microbiota in Horses: Bacterial Communities Associated with Health and Mild Asthma (Inflammatory Airway Disease) and Effects of Dexamethasone. BMC Microbiol. 2017;17:184.
    doi: 10.1186/s12866-017-1092-5pmc: PMC5569571pubmed: 28835202google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Kozłowska N, Borowska M, Jasiński T, Wierzbicka M, Domino M. Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Equine Pharyngeal Lymphoid Hyperplasia Using the Object Detection-Based Processing Technique of Digital Endoscopic Images. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 22;15(18).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15182758pubmed: 41008003google scholar: lookup
  2. Mańkowska A, Witkowska D. The Most Common Environmental Risk Factors for Equine Asthma-A Narrative Review. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jul 14;14(14).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14142062pubmed: 39061524google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.