Management of Equine Asthma: Environment

sEA and SPAOPD therapeutic approach

-environmental and feeding changes

-glucocrticoid treatment

-bronchodilator treatment

-other therapies

SPAOPD =

summer pasture associated obstructive pulmonary disease

what is the most important intervention do sEA and spaopd

environmental and feeding changes

sEA environment and feeding change

-keep outside as long as possible

-access to well ventilated areas

-free of urine or manure →ammonia fumes

-pelleted feed or hay cubes

-soak hay or steamed hay/haylage

SPAOPD environment and feeding changes

-clean, cool environment

-stabling

-low resp dust

low resp dust bedding

-cardboard and dust free shavings

-staeamed hay, haylage

-pelletted rations

-similar alterations surroundings stalls

-rubber mats reduces bedding needed

how to reduce the respiring dust in the breathing zone

-respirable dust 30cm around nose most critical

-do not feed in nets

-do not feed round bales outside as create hole that put selves in making worse

-provide feed at ground level

how do environmental changes help

-clinical remission 4-8 weeks

-normal pulmonary function 4-8 weeks

-reduction smooth muscle mass 12 months

will horses with ea be immune after treatment

-no, horses remain more susceptible compared to healthy horses

therapeutic approach to mEA

-environmental remedation

-glucocorticoid treatment

-bronchodilator

others

environmental and feedings changes mEA

-worse offenders are hay and straw

-provide pelleted feed, haylage

-dust free shavings or cardboard

-well ventilated stalls

advice for clients

-follow recommendations

-sprinkle aisles w/ water before sweeping

-avoid overhead hay storage

-turn bedding banks every day inc corners

-remove horses from stall while cleaning

-no blowers indoors

ventilation of stalls

-1 inflow 1 outflow

-roof vents or knock bricks in back wall

-keep barn doors open

areas of inadequate ventilation

-commercially available devices

-cobwebs

-condensation ceiling

-layer of dust

-birds nesting?

what is worse dust

-the type you cant see

The dust between 2.5-10µ found in “clean” environments

Look for predictable & not-so-predictable sources!

Respirable dust levels change during the day

what else to look for

Look for other allergens (pollen, trees, chemicals, etc)