Equine Respiratory Flashcards
What causes “rattles” and what age group is it most common in?
What kind of pneumonia does it cause?
Rhodococcus equi
Foals (3 weeks - 6months)
Pyogranulomatous pneumonia
What is the treatment for Rattles?
Prolonged antimicrobials (Macrolide and rifampin)
What is the most commonly reported equine bacterial infection?
What is the pathogen called?
Strangles
Streptococcus equi var equi
What lymph nodes are commonly infected in Strangles?
Submandibular
Retropharyngeal
What are “Bastard Stangles”?
Metastatic abscesses
What type of drug should you not use in Strangles?
Antibiotics (unless at the onset of pyrexia)
Prevent maturation of abscesses
What is the second most common cause of poor performance in racehorses?
(1st = musculoskeletal)
Inflammatory airway disease (IAD)
Mild/moderate equine asthma
What are 3 possible complications of Strangles?
- Guttural pouch empyema
- Purpura haemorrhagica
- Bastard strangles
What is “Heaves”?
Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO)
Severe equine asthma
Which 2 receptors are involved in bronchoconstriction?
What do they do?
Muscarinic receptors:
Peribronchiolar smooth muscle contraction
B2 adrenergic receptors:
Reduce bronchodilation
What is the pathology of chronic asthma?
Smooth muscle hypertrophy Bronchoconstriction Peribronchiolar fibrosis Epithelial cell hyperplasia Mucus plugging = Airway remodelling
What respiratory sound would you expect with chronic asthma?
Expiratory wheeze
What do corticosteroids do in the control of asthma?
Reduce bronchoconstriction, reduce vascular changes, reduce cell accumulation + activation
What are atropine and buscopan?
Muscarinic antagonists
What are clenbuterol and salbutamol?
B-adrenergic agonists
