Heaves

Question 1

RAO stands for

Answer 1

Recurrent Airway Obstruction

Question 2

RAO used to be called COPD, or

Answer 2

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Question 3

Organic dusts

Answer 3

1. allergens
2. endotoxins
3. molds
   other particles

Question 4

When susceptible horses are put into problematic environments, this happens

Answer 4

massive influx of neutrophils invade the airway lumen

Question 5

This happens in ____ (time)

Answer 5

6-8 hours

Question 6

What causes bronchospasm?

Answer 6

Inflammatory mediators (IL, cytokines, leukotrienes) acting on cholinergic nerves

Question 7

What happens to mucus?

Answer 7

Increase production and viscosity

= mucus accumulation

Question 8

What happens to the airway?

Answer 8

airway wall thickening: edema (acute) and remodeling (chronic)

Question 9

More prevalent in which hemisphere?

Answer 9

Northern

Question 10

Is there a genetic component?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

Clinical signs (acute):

Answer 11

1. flared nostrils
2. increase respiration
3. use of abdominal muscles to assist expiration
4. anxious appearance
5. exercise intolerant

Question 12

Advanced stages of heaves

Answer 12

Struggle to breathe is so intense that horse is unable to eat and loses weight
Heave lines on abdomen

Question 13

Horses with heaves tend to be

Answer 13

older

Question 14

RAO is similar to

Answer 14

Summer-Pasture Associated Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Question 15

3 principles of management and prevention

Answer 15

1. environmental control
2. corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
3. bronchodilators to relieve respiratory distress

Question 16

Drugs: NSAIDS:

What do they do?

Answer 16

contraindicated.

decrease production of PGE2 (prostaglandin that inhibits inflammation and prevents bronchospasm)

Question 17

Drugs: Corticosteroids:

What do they do?

Answer 17

prevent pro-inflammatory process
prevent down-regulation of beta-2-adrenoceptors
increase appetite

Question 18

Drugs: Dexamethasone

How long until improvement?

Answer 18

gradually reduce dose to minimum

Improvement in 3-7 days

Question 19

Drugs: Beclomethasone and Fluticasone:

Administration?

Answer 19

must be given by Aeromask

severity of obstruction prevents the deposition of inhaled steroids in the lungs

Question 20

Drugs: Bronchodilators

What do they do? What don’t they do?

Answer 20

Improve mucus clearance

do NOT treat inflammation

Question 21

Drugs: Bronchodilators

Names

Answer 21

Clenbuterol (Ventipulmin)
Albuterol
Pirbuterol
Salmenterol

Question 22

Drugs: Bronchodilators

Side effects

Answer 22

Sweating
Trembling
Tachycardia (raised HR)
Agitation

Question 23

Duration of clenbuterol and salmeterol effects

Answer 23

6-8 hours

Question 24

duration of albuterol and pirbuterol

Answer 24

1-2 hours

Question 25

Prognosis depends on

Answer 25

stage of disease at which the diagnosis is made and the level of care provided to the horse

Question 26

Is heaves curable?

Answer 26

NO!

Manage environment