Recurrent respiratory disorders in Polish Konik horses - clinical and laboratory findings

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of chronic respiratory disorders in Polish Konik horses maintained in a stable and pasture, under condition typical for pleasure horses in Poland. The study was conducted on 14 adult horses, consistent with regard to environment and living conditions. The horses were divided into two groups: seven horses not affected by any respiratory problem (control group) and seven horses with history of lower airway disease (study group). Clinical and laboratory evaluation, endoscopic examination, bronchoalveolar lavage, tracheal wash, and lung ultrasound were performed in all horses. Median (25 th and 75 th percentiles) for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid differential cell count in control horses was 55.8 (49.8 and 59.1) of macrophages, 41 (38.5 and 45.9) of lymphocytes, and 5.1 (4.1 and 5.3) of neutrophils, whereas in the study group they were 32.8 (25.9 and 35.7) of macrophages, 59.8 (51.3 and 64.8) of lymphocytes, and 38.1 (34.8 and 41.1) of neutrophils. It was concluded that chronic respiratory disorders in Polish Konik horses were probably caused by recurrent airway obstruction.

Serum 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine as a marker of DNA oxidative damage in horses with recurrent airway obstruction

“…Samples from these horses have been included in previous publications; therefore some data, i.e. clinical assessment and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology are duplicated [ 11 , 12 ].…”

“…An acute crisis of heaves in RAO-affected horses was induced by placing the horses in a poorly ventilated stable, bedding them on straw and feeding them hay with visible mold growth for 48 h prior to the examination. Airway endoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed in all the animals using previously described methods [ 11 , 12 ]. For cytology, sample aliquots were cytospinned at 300× g for 10 min (Allegra x-22 cytospin, Beckman Coulter, Brea, USA).…”

“…Values are expressed as median and 25th and 75th percentiles. This table has been published previously [ 11 , 12 ]…”