Due to the environments they occupy and the demands placed on them, inflammatory disorders of the airway are fairly common in horses. For many years, the terminology describing inflammatory lower airway diseases remained vague, making comparison of data difficult. The distinction between lower airway inflammatory disease of young horses and chronic airway inflammation was not clear and often called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) is also described as mild to moderate equine asthma. It typically affects young horses (as early as one year of age). Cough, poor performance and excess mucus within the airways are common symptoms of IAD. This condition occurs in 22% to 50% of athletic horses, and is a common cause of hampered performance.

This condition differs from other equine respiratory conditions such as heaves in that affected horses typically do not show increased respiratory efforts at rest. Horses with IAD are usually alert, have good appetites and an otherwise healthy appearance.¹ However, they may display the following respiratory symptoms:

• Long-term cough (without a fever)
• Decreased performance 
• Longer recovery after exertion
• Mild watery nasal discharge 
• Increasing exercise intolerance

RAO is a disease of the smaller airways (bronchioles) of the lungs and is caused by an allergy to small dust particles (often, organic dust) and spores that are inhaled by the horse.² Allergens such as fungal spores and/or pollen are the most common factors which trigger episodes.³ The resulting allergic reaction produces fluid and thickening of the walls of the small airways of the lungs, causing their obstruction. This causes labored breathing, resulting in the horse developing a cough to clear trapped mucus.

Where to buy Throat Wash with Nitrofurazone + DMSO + Dexamethasone

Nitrofurazone + DMSO + Dexamethasone is available in the U.S. through pharmaceutical manufacturers and through veterinary custom compounding companies. 

This product carries several potential drug interactions. Please consult your veterinarian prior to beginning any treatment regimen.

FOR RX ONLY: A valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian is required for dispensing this medication.

¹vetspecialists.com.

²Rush, B. Recurrent Airway Obstruction in Horses. In: Merck Veterinary Manual, Jan. 2014.

³McPherson EA, Lawson GH, Murphy JR, et al. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): identification of affected horses. Equine Vet J 1978; 10:47–53.

⁴equimed.com.