Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation: A Crossover Study Comparing Peat and Wood Shavings.
Abstract: Bedding materials affect stable air hygiene, and thus the development and exacerbation of equine asthma. There is limited knowledge concerning the effects of different types of bedding material on equine lower airway inflammation. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of bedding materials on respiratory signs, tracheal mucus score, and lower airway cytology in healthy adult horses. The study design was a prospective controlled study, and the subjects were healthy adult riding school horses (n = 32) from a single stable. Wood shavings were compared to peat, which was used as a reference bedding material. Lower airway endoscopy and sampling (tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) for cytological examination were performed after each 35-day bedding period. No difference between bedding periods was observed in the respiratory rate or tracheal mucus score. Tracheal wash neutrophil percentage with the wood shavings was higher compared to the previous (P = 0.040) or following (P = 0.0045) peat period. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophil percentage with the wood shavings was higher compared to the following peat period (P < 0.001). We conclude that, between the two bedding materials used in this study, peat caused less neutrophilic lower airway inflammation in horses. The information gained from this study may assist veterinarians and horse owners in selecting bedding materials, especially for horses suffering from equine asthma.
Copyright © 2021 Mönki, Saastamoinen, Karikoski, Rajamäki, Raekallio, Junnila, Särkijärvi, Norring, Valros, Oranen Ben Fatma and Mykkänen.
Publication Date: 2021-04-09 PubMed ID: 33898547PubMed Central: PMC8062776DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.656814Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research examined the effects of two types of bedding material, peat and wood shavings, on the lower airway inflammation in horses. It concluded that peat bedding caused less inflammation in horses’ respiratory systems.
Research Overview
- The primary objective of the research was to investigate how different bedding materials influence the respiratory health of horses. This subject was chosen due to limited knowledge and understanding of the impact that bedding materials have on equine lower airway inflammation.
- The study observed healthy adult riding horses, with a total of 32 subjects. These horses were all from the same riding school and used as the control group in the study.
Research Methodology
- The bedding materials used in the study were wood shavings and peat, with peat serving as the reference material. Peat was chosen as the reference material due as it is commonly used in bedding and its impacts on horse health are relatively well-understood.
- The researchers utilized a crossover study design, wherein the impact of each type of bedding was tested over a 35-day period. At the end of each bedding period lower airway endoscopy and sampling was done.
- The main focus of the research was to observe and compare respiratory signs, tracheal mucus scores, and the cytology of horses’ lower airways when exposed to these two bedding materials.
Research Findings
- The research concluded that there was no significant difference observed between the two bedding materials in relation to the horses’ respiratory rates or tracheal mucus score.
- However, horses bedded in wood shavings showed a higher percentage of neutrophils in their tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as compared to peat. Neutrophil presence indicates inflammation, therefore suggesting that wood shavings cause more inflammation in the lower airways of horses than peat.
Significance of research
- The research findings have practical implications, providing guidance to veterinarians and horse owners in choosing the appropriate bedding material in order to maintain equine respiratory health, especially for horses suffering from equine asthma.
- By establishing that peat causes less lower airway inflammation in horses, these findings can be used to mitigate respiratory issues in horses particularly for those that suffer from equine asthma.
Cite This Article
APA
Mönki J, Saastamoinen M, Karikoski N, Rajamäki M, Raekallio M, Junnila J, Särkijärvi S, Norring M, Valros A, Oranen Ben Fatma S, Mykkänen A.
(2021).
Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation: A Crossover Study Comparing Peat and Wood Shavings.
Front Vet Sci, 8, 656814.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.656814 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Jokioinen, Finland.
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Oy 4Pharma Ltd., Helsinki, Finland.
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Jokioinen, Finland.
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Conflict of Interest Statement
JJ was employed by the company 4Pharma Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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