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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Vet Res / Pulmonary function measurements during repeated environmenta...
American journal of veterinary research1996; 57(8); 1214-1219;

Pulmonary function measurements during repeated environmental challenge of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves).

Abstract: To evaluate the degree of reproducibility in clinical variables, blood gas measurements, and lung function variables, and the changes in these variables caused by exposure to moldy hay in naturally sensitized and control horses. Methods: The magnitude of variation in arterial blood gas and pulmonary function measurements were evaluated in a model of naturally acquired heaves. Horses with heaves and similarly aged control horses were studied prior to moldy hay challenge and again after the horses with heaves manifested clinical signs of airway obstruction. This cycle of testing was repeated 3 times to determine the variation of the before and after challenge measurements. Variables evaluated for repeatability included: clinical score; arterial O2 and CO2 tensions; pulmonary function variables, such as breathing rate (f), tidal volumes, and flow rates; lung resistance (RL); dynamic compliance; and work of breathing (Wb). Results: Before challenge, significant differences observed between control horses and horses with heaves included clinical score, expiratory flow rate at near-end expiration, RL, and Wb. After exposure to moldy hay, variables measured in control horses were largely unchanged. However, in the afflicted horses, significant changes were observed for clinical score, arterial O2 and CO2 tensions, breathing rate, peak tidal inspiratory and expiratory flow rates, dynamic compliance, RL, and Wb, compared with prechallenge values and with control horses' postchallenge values. Analysis of the data revealed few statistically significant differences between repeats of challenges. Conclusions: Horses afflicted with heaves manifest airway obstruction that can be measured in repeatable fashion.
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Publication Date: 1996-08-01 PubMed ID: 8836377
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research paper discusses the observations and experiments conducted on horses to understand the reproducibility in clinical variables, blood gas measurements, and lung functions when exposed to moldy hay, leading to a condition called heaves. Researchers investigated the changes in a set of parameters such as breathing rate, lung resistance, arterial O2 and CO2 tensions, and work of breathing before and after the challenge of exposure to moldy hay.

Methodology

  • The researchers tested a set of horses with naturally acquired heaves or recurrent airway obstructions and a group of control horses that didn’t have this condition. The horses were studied before and after subjecting them to a challenge with moldy hay. This process was repeated three times to assess variations in different parameters.
  • The variability of several variables was evaluated for their repeatability, including the clinical score (an overall health indicator), arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions, pulmonary function variables (breathing rate, tidal volumes, flow rates), lung resistance, dynamic compliance (ability of lungs to expand and contract), and the work of breathing.

Results and Findings

  • Before exposing them to moldy hay, the researchers found notable differences between the control horses and horses with heaves in parameters such as the clinical score, expiratory flow rate near the end of expiration, lung resistance, and work of breathing.
  • After the moldy hay challenge, most variables in control horses remained pretty much the same. However, in horses with heaves, significant changes were observed in several parameters like clinical scores, arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions, breathing rate, peak tidal inspiratory and expiratory flow rates, dynamic compliance, lung resistance, and work of breathing.
  • The data analysis showed only a few statistically significant differences between repeated challenges, suggesting a high level of reproducibility and consistency in the observed effects of mouldy hay exposure.

Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that the obstruction in horses with heaves can be measured in a repeatable manner. The consistent reactions in the pulmonary functions and blood gas measurements of the afflicted horses signify the reproducibility of their physiological response to the moldy hay challenge.

Cite This Article

APA
Tesarowski DB, Viel L, McDonell WN. (1996). Pulmonary function measurements during repeated environmental challenge of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves). Am J Vet Res, 57(8), 1214-1219.

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 8
Pages: 1214-1219

Researcher Affiliations

Tesarowski, D B
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Viel, L
    McDonell, W N

      MeSH Terms

      • Airway Obstruction / blood
      • Airway Obstruction / physiopathology
      • Airway Obstruction / veterinary
      • Animals
      • Blood Gas Analysis / veterinary
      • Environment
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Poaceae
      • Reference Values
      • Reproducibility of Results
      • Respiratory Function Tests / veterinary

      Citations

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