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==Description==

==Description==

Summer Pasture-Associated Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (SPA-RAO) is a disease affecting horses kept at pasture (in contrast to Recurrent Airway Obstruction that affects horses that are stabled and fed hay). The disease is characterised by airway inflammation, increased airway mucus production and bronchoconstriction.  

Summer Pasture-Associated Recurrent Airway Obstruction(SPA-RAO) is a disease affecting horses kept at pasture (in contrast to Recurrent Airway Obstruction that affects horses that are stabled and fed hay). The disease is characterised by airway inflammation, increased airway mucus production and bronchoconstriction.  

==Pathogenesis==

==Pathogenesis==

The pathogenesis of the disease is largely unknown but it suggested hypotheses include inhaled pollens or outdoor moulds and ingestion of a pasture-derived pneumotoxin.

The pathogenesis of the disease is largely unknown but it suggested hypotheses include inhaled pollens or outdoor moulds and ingestion of a pasture-derived pneumotoxin.

*Airway inflammation and clinical signs similar to stabling-associated COPD/RAO, but occurs in horses kept out at pasture during the summer months.  

*Presumed to be similar pathogenesis to stabling-associated COPD/RAO

Clinical signs are similar to those associated with RAO but occur in horses kept out at pasture during the summer months. Signs may include exercise intolerance, cough (often productive), dyspnoea, increased expiratory effort and flared nostrils. Pyrexia is not usually a feature of SPA-RAO.

*Allergens likely to be plant pollens and plant-associated fungal spores

An abdominal 'heave' line may be visible due to hypertrophy of the external abdominal oblique muscles. Lung field auscultation reveals fine crackles and wheezes or significantly reduced lung sounds in severe cases of SPA-RAO.

 

==References==

==References==