Chapter 16 RAO Flashcards
What is Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) also known as?
Heaves and formerly as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What environmental factors are associated with RAO?
Exposure to barn dusts and airborne antigens present at pasture.
What are the clinical signs of RAO and SPAOPD?
Respiratory distress at rest, bronchospasm, airway tissue remodeling, neutrophilic inflammation, and mucus secretions.
What is the mainstay treatment strategy for RAO?
Antigen avoidance strategies.
What are the common symptoms during an acute episode of RAO?
Increased expiratory effort, respiratory frequency, mild nasal discharge, flared nostrils, and markedly increased abdominal expiratory effort.
What is the ‘heaves line’?
Hypertrophy of the external abdominal oblique muscle due to strong and continuous respiratory effort.
What is the common age of onset for RAO?
Seven years of age or older.
Which breeds have a predisposition to RAO?
Thoroughbred horses and possibly other breeds, with females at greater risk than males.
What triggers the exacerbations of SPAOPD?
Exposure to high environmental counts of fungal spores and grass pollen grains during summer.
What are the primary immune cells involved in RAO?
Neutrophils.
What cytokines are increased in the bronchial epithelium of horses with RAO?
Interleukin-8 (IL-8).
What is the role of IL-17 in RAO?
Promotes neutrophil chemotaxis and activation.
What immune response is primarily associated with RAO?
A Th2 and Th17 driven immune response.
What is the significance of BALF in diagnosing RAO?
The presence of neutrophilic inflammation (usually >20%) in BALF cytology is a characteristic finding.
What environmental management strategies help control RAO?
Reducing exposure to dust, molds, and mites by changing food and bedding materials and increasing ventilation.
What are the common anti-inflammatory drugs used in RAO treatment?
Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, and fluticasone.
What is the effect of bronchodilators in RAO treatment?
They relieve bronchospasm but do not have anti-inflammatory properties.
What are the genetic factors associated with RAO?
Genes associated with smooth muscle remodeling, leukotriene metabolism, and IL-4 receptor polymorphisms.