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Recurrent Airway Obstruction (view source)
Revision as of 13:00, 26 August 2010
, 13:00, 26 August 2010→Treatment
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
The mainstays of treatment
and prevention of RAO are
environmental control, the
use of bronchodilators to
reduce respiratory distress
and the administration of
corticosteroids to reduce
inflammation.
Environmental control
Environmental control is important in all stages of the
disease and, as reported by many studies, may in itself
result in clinical and functional improvement. Owners
need to appreciate that environmental management is at
least as important as medical treatment, and they should
be made aware that even a brief exposure to dust is sufficient
to induce inflammation in horses with RAO, which
may take days or weeks to resolve.
Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators are used to counteract the broncho spasm
and thereby relieve some of the respiratory distress experienced
by horses with RAO. Although a large part of the
airway obstruction may be due to bronchospasm, some
obstruction of the airway may remain, despite maximal
bronchodilation, due to the mucus accumulation and
inflammatory changes in the airway wall. It is important
to understand that bronchodilators do not treat the underlying
inflammation.
Corticosteroids
Many horses benefit from corticosteroid administration
early in the course of the disease in conjunction with bronchodilators,
as this will address the underlying inflammation
as well as bronchospasm. Corticosteroids
can be administered systemically
using intravenous or oral
preparations, or by inhalation. (The
association between cortico steroids
and laminitis should be discussed
with the owner.)
The advantage of inhaled corticosteroids
is that they are administered
directly to the respiratory
tract; therefore, the required therapeutic
dose is lower, resulting
in less systemic absorption and
hence less risk of side effects. The
pulmonary distribution of inhaled
cortico steroids is poor during
severe airway obstruction, so this
method of administration should
only be used after an improvement
in lung function has been
achieved with systemic corticosteroids
and/or bronchodilators.
==Links==
==Links==