Heaves is now RAO

[maryaz]

A while back it came up on this forum about the horses and COPD. I just got this and apparently the reference was changed back in 2000.
www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10488

Recurrent Airway Obstruction: They Don't Call It 'Heaves' Anymore
by: Lydia Gray, DVM, MA
September 26 2007, Article # 10488

At a workshop in 2000, an international group of veterinary investigators eliminated the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to technically describe the equine respiratory ailment commonly known as "heaves." They elected to instead refer to it as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) to indicate that this respiratory condition is not the same as COPD in humans.

RAO is defined as episodes of obstructive lower airway disease triggered by exposure to hay and bedding and characterized by difficulty breathing, severe airway inflammation, a large number of neutrophils, airway hyperreactivity, and reversibility with bronchodilator treatment. Owners recognize the condition from these signs:

Cough;
Labored breathing;
Flared nostrils at rest;
Nasal discharge;
Coughing up mucus;
Depression;
Elevated respiratory rate at rest;
Exercise intolerance or poor performance;
Increased movement of abdomen during breathing.
Veterinarians diagnose RAO through history, physical examination, and bloodwork. They use specific respiratory system tests if necessary (endoscopy, chest radiographs, bronchoalveolar lavage, and pulmonary function testing).

RAO is managed with a four-pronged approach: diet, environment, prescription medications, and supplements. The most important thing an owner can do is reduce the horse's exposure to organic dust. This means either removing hay completely from the horse's diet and replacing it with another source of fiber, or thoroughly soaking hay before feeding. "Heavey" horses generally do better when kept outside the barn as much as possible, as exposure to bedding, barn dust and hay from other horses can induce an episode. Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone are given to reduce inflammation, and bronchodilators such as clenbuterol are given to relax airway smooth muscle, relieving bronchospasm. Research is on the benefit of antioxidants like Vitamin C and certain herbs in the management of RAO is ongoing.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

If it's "recurrent" then it's not "chronic" that sounds promising. I wonder if the young owner of the horse has been made aware of this....

I gotta say through Mary; when I read....."Veterinarians diagnose RAO through history, physical examination, and bloodwork. They use specific respiratory system tests if necessary (endoscopy, chest radiographs, bronchoalveolar lavage, and pulmonary function testing)."

I couldn't help but wonder how in the name of God do you do a PFT on a horse?

[Joyce7]

I have no idea either how they do a PFT on a horse, but I find this to be very interesting. Who knows, they might do more research on copd for the horses and in the process, help us too!! Any research is good and hopeful. Thanks for this information... Joyce