Horse Pulmonary Bleeding Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Race horses are expected to perform at the highest level

. Their daily training regimen can be intense. This type of exercise can lead to Exercise Induced Pulmonary Bleeding (EIPB). This condition refers to hemorrhaging in the lungs and it is fairly common in horses.

Understanding Horse Pulmonary Bleeding

Although the condition's occurrence is relatively frequent, many people fail to understand it. The extent of the hemorrhage varies from case to case. With more acute cases nosebleeds can occur. There have been cases, however, where nosebleeds were not due to blood originating in the lungs. As such, nosebleeds alone cannot be used to diagnose the condition.

The extent of the hemorrhage seems to be related to the intensity of the exercise. Climate conditions, environmental factors, and the breed do not seem to play a role. Older horses are more prone to developing the condition, particularly those over 5 years of age.

It is widely believed that a combination of the pressure in the lungs and blood pressure can cause capillaries to burst. Others argue that this cannot be the case, based on the fact that pulmonary bleeding tends to occur in the upper back lobes. The theory would hold more credence if the capillaries all over the lungs were affected.

Another belief is that horse pulmonary bleeding is caused by the running action itself. Some feel that this puts pressure on the ribcage and therefore the lungs. This pressure begins in the forelegs then travels up to the shoulders. It then spreads out along the upper area of the lungs. Given the most commonly recognized source of pulmonary bleeding this is quite likely.

One thing that is not disputed is that pulmonary bleeding impairs performance. This does not happen in all cases as some horses have experienced hemorrhaging after winning races.

Diagnosis

Barring the most obvious physical signs, the condition can be easily missed by the untrained eye. Horse pulmonary bleeding cannot be diagnosed just by an external examination. In fact, because most cases of EIPB are undetected, the best diagnostic tool is an endoscopic examination.

An endoscopic examination allows a veterinarian to look inside the horse's stomach or organs with an endoscope. The veterinarian will be able to see via a small camera exactly what is happening internally.

Treatment

Despite the fact that this condition has been arduously researched for years, there is much that remains a mystery. Even two of the most widely used treatments Lasix and Butazolidin sometimes attract controversy. These treatment options do not work in all cases. In fact, Lasix has been banned in a number of countries.

Sometimes, simply resting is enough to help a horse that is believed to be suffering from pulmonary bleeding. Another treatment method that has had varying degrees of success is the use of nasal dilator strips. Additionally, the use of diuretic medicines has been shown to provide some relief.

Early diagnosis and proper treatment and preventative measures can help in most situations. Some horse enthusiasts believe a proper diet with adequate nutrition decreases the chances of EIPB. Many claim positive results after a strict nutrition regime has been established.

by: Bob Fogli

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