Aspects of lower respiratory tract disease in the horse

Abstract

Lower respiratory tract disease is probably more common than is generally thought and may be manifest without spectacular respiratory symptoms. This paper is concerned with obstructive pulmonary disease in the horse. The cause of the condition may not always be identifiable, but the effects of obstructive respiratory disease may be a permanent impairment of pulmonary function.

There are a variety of techniques to aid in the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract disease, the principal ones being thorough examination of the chest, endoscopy and radiography. The final common denominator of respiratory disease is alveolar hypoxia, and failure to recognize this by over-exercise of such horses may lead to permanent alveolar damage.

Recent developments in therapy are discussed and include the use of mucolytic and bronchospasmolytic drugs.