Recurring Airway Obstruction in Horses
Recurring Airway Obstruction (RAO) is a condition that can potentially affect horses, especially those that are middle-aged and are housed in stables. Unfortunately, there is no cure for affected horses but with treatment and good care, it can be managed. Here’s what you need to know about ROA.
Why does RAO occur?
RAO is linked to an allergy or sensitivity to dust particles. A previous occurrence of an infectious respiratory disease or a genetic predisposition may increase the chances of being affected RAO but it can also develop out of the blue and with no obvious cause.
Stabled horses can develop RAO as a result of organic dusts from straw and hay, which can contain small spores that find their way into the lungs and trigger an allergic reaction. Being kept at pasture can therefore limit the chances of developing RAO due to the reduced contact with dust particles.
A small number of horses suffer from Summer Pasture Associated Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (SPAOPD) when at pasture. This condition occurs during the summer months (if the weather is warm and humid) and is thought to be the result of an allergic reaction to outside particles such as pollen. Housing your horse in a dust-free stable or moving them to an area with a different environment is usually recommended as a means of tackling this condition.
What are the symptoms of RAO?
Affected horses experience inflammation in the small airways of the lungs as a direct result of their reaction to dust. This can result in mucus buildup that restricts the airways and makes it difficult to breathe. Struggling to catch their breath and breathing more rapidly are common symptoms of RAO, as is chronic coughing. RAO is actually the most common cause of chronic coughing in older horses, while other signs include nasal discharge, chronic coughing, flared nostrils and sweating.
What to do if you think your horse has RAO
Contact your vet if you suspect that your horse has developed RAO. They will ask questions about potential triggers and perform a clinical examination to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the condition. There is no cure for RAO but it can be successfully managed.
Treatment will depend on whether it is considered to be acute or chronic. For acute RAO, turn out is usually recommended and your vet can offer advice on the most appropriate form(s) of treatment and management. For chronic RAO, the key will be to keep your horse in a dust-free environment and keeping them at pasture will often be a big part of this.Good ventilation, swapping hay or straw bedding for shavings or shredded paper, removing your horse from their stable during mucking out and for thirty minutes afterwards to allow dust to settle, and serving hay while wet can all go a long way towards limiting your horse’s exposure to dust and therefore managing RAO. For severe cases, prescription anti-inflammatories may be used if other measures do not help.
[Photo Credit: Moyan_Brenn ]