Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Over 80% of active sport horses are estimated to have some degree of respiratory challenge. After lameness, veterinarians typically look to respiratory function as the most common reason for decreased performance.
A 2018 study of over 700 horses determined that 88% had some level of respiratory disease.
Common Cause
RESPIRABLE DUST
Respirable dust is the main cause of all equine respiratory conditions.
BACTERIA, FUNGI, MOLD
A complex mixture of organic matter, these microscopic particles can include bacteria, endotoxins, mites, mold and fungal spores. Small enough to slip past our horses’ defense mechanisms, these bits can activate inflammatory and allergic responses.
INDOOR STABLING
Exposure to these particles increases with domesticated life and indoor stabling. Hay and bedding, in particular, put large quantities of dust directly in our horse’s breathing zone.
Obvious
Symptoms for COPD are crystal clear. Laboured breathing, chronic cough, wheezing, flarednostrils and exercise intolerance.
Subtle
Symptoms for conditions on the mild and moderate end of the Equine Asthma Spectrum can be subtle: an occasional cough, nasal discharge, slow respiratory recovery and, sometimes, otherwise unexplained decreases in performance and exercise tolerance.
Non-existent
Remember that COPD exists at the severe end of the Equine Asthma Spectrum. The best way to prevent COPD is to prevent, or catch and treat, the potential precursors to this disease: Mild and Moderate Inflammatory Airway Disease.
Treatments
Haygain High Temperature Hay Steaming
- Reduces up to 99% of the respirable irritants commonly found in forage – even forage of good nutrient content.
The Forager Slow Feeder
- Allowing the horse to eat with its head in a naturally lowered position enables natural drainage of respirable particles from the upper airway.
- ontains clean, steamed hay to prevent contamination.
ComfortStall Sealed Orthopedic Flooring
- Built-in cushion reduces the need for bedding to only that required to absorb urine.
- Single-piece top cover seals to the stall wall. This prevents seepage and accumulation of urine and the related ammonia odor that is another respiratory irritant.
