Mature horses over the age of six years are predisposed to developing COPD, especially those with a history of exposure to environmental allergens such as or those exposed to high levels of or dust. The clinical presentation of COPD includes exercise intolerance, dyspnea which is more notable on expiration, chronic and productive , nasal discharge and visible hypertrophy of the muscles of expiration. Diagnosis is made through the clinical signs and symptoms, auscultation revealing wheezing or wet sounds on expiration, and blood analysis revealing hypoxia without anemia.
Treatment includes the removal of environmental allergens, constant inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators such as Ventipulmin.
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Prognosis for horses affected by COPD is poor for return to athletic performance as the condition tends to be . Some individuals may be able to exercise lightly if the condition is caught early and is managed well.
Idiopathic Pneumonia of Foals
Idiopathic pneumonia in foals is thought to be an reaction that results in the inflammation of the respiratory endothelium and the formation of necrotic lesions within the tissue of the lungs. This type of pneumonia is sometimes called pneumonia of foals as foals treated with broad spectrum, systemic antibiotics such as erythromycin are prone to developing autoimmune lesions in the lungs. Idiopathic pneumonia is seen in most commonly in foals one week to eight months of age, during the months. A history of systemic antibiotic use is also common. The clinical signs and symptoms present with progression including high fever, anorexia, lethargy, recumbency, cyanosis, dyspnea, disseminated intravascular coaggulopathy, septicemia, acidosis, hypoxemia, major organ failure, coma and death. onset and Diagnosis is made through bronchial lavage and transtracheal aspirate revealing inflammation and necrosis in the alveoli, and sampling of the fluid showing the presence of inflammatory mediators and autoimmune markers. Treatment must be immediate and aggressive. It includes systemic corticosteroids, NSAID’s, bronchodilators, external cooling of the foal and the external administration of . Prognosis is grave for individuals affected by idiopathic pneumonia in foals. Most die before a veterinarian can attend, and diagnosis is commonly made post-mortem.
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