COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also
known as ‘heaves’ and ‘broken wind’.
COPD is usually caused by hypersensitivity to mould spores
found in the horses' environment or other allergens. The
spores penetrate the defences of the upper airways and
reach the small airways in the lungs.
The signs of COPD are variable depending on the severity
of the disease. Clinical symptoms in more severe cases
include; chronic cough, dyspnoea (shortness of breath),
tachypnoea (abnormally rapid breathing or respiration),
exercise intolerance, increased respiratory effort, wheezing
on auscultation, nasal discharge, low blood gas oxygen
and heave line (over developed abdomen muscles).
The clinical signs of COPD arise due to the responses
of the respiratory tract to challenge allergens (allergy
inducing particles). These responses take three main forms;
inflammation of the airway walls, excess mucus production
and bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways due to contraction
of the muscles in their walls). The net effect of these
processes is a narrowing of the airways and reduced capacity
for airflow.
Can Equissage help?
Yes it definitely can.
The horse's lungs react to an irritant and the subsequent
(allergic) reaction results in histamines being released
causing the bronchiolar muscles to constrict i.e. go into
spasm (bronchospasm); continued exposure to the allergen
results in inflammation of the airways which in turn narrows
the airways making it even more difficult for the horse
to breathe efficiently. Although using Equissage cannot
prevent or actually cure an allergy, it can certainly
help to reduce the effects on the horse and its respiratory
tract.
In the symptomatic horse the mucus needs clearing as
quickly as possible to help reduce coughing (and further
lung damage) and the airways need opening up. So the muscles
around the bronchioles need relaxing to allow this to
happen, thus enabling the horse to breathe more freely
and the mucus needs thinning to facilitate its effective
removal. Veterinary treatment usually involves the use
of a bronchodilators (such as clenbuterol) to sooth and
relax muscles as well as opening the airways - Equissage
is proven to relax muscles so is the ideal tool to help
the horse over its immediate allergic reaction. The improvement
in circulation that Equissage promotes coupled with the
increase in bodily temperature helps to thin the mucus
so it can be more readily eliminated.
Application:
Equissage should be used on a daily basis as part of
the management routine for COPD. Additional use of the
Hand Unit will optimise the benefits particularly for
horses where the spasms have been more severe. Normally
the Hand Unit is best kept in situ but in this case it
needs to be worked along the whole of the underside of
the neck from chest to jowl. Do not hold it directly on
the windpipe, but just to the side and do not hold it
on the jaw bone. The Pad can be on a No.5/No.6 setting
although the Hand Unit should be lower - certainly initially
- as the vibratory effect may cause discomfort or alarm
to more sensitive horses; if the horse is happy, then
turn it up. Use of the Hand Unit is best prior to exercise
if possible.
Point to Note:
A horse will always remain sensitive so the moment it
is exposed to the offending allergens, it will have a
reaction.
For more information please call 0800 072 1180,
email us at info@equissage.co.uk
or request a FREE TRIAL
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