NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/rec/equestri/5765

Text File | 1992-11-22 | 3.0 KB | 61 lines

Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!spool.mu.edu!umn.edu!lynx!nmsu.edu!dante!kcarver
From: [e-mail] (Kenneth Carver)
Subject: Re: Heaves (was: Feeding Old Horses)(LONG)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Summary: excess lung capacity allows function despite damage
Keywords: heaves, emphysema, alveoli, lungs
Sender: [e-mail]
Organization: New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 04:33:58 GMT
Lines: 47

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Mary McHugh) writes:

>I was under the impression that as a result of the overload of
>histimines from the allergic reaction, the alveoli in the lungs are
>damaged irreparably.  In a less severe case, the efficiency of the
>healthy portion of the lung can be increased to compensate for the
>damage, but a severely damaged lung can never recover.  Am I
>mistaken???  Can I dare to hope that I can rehabilitate Bub
>somewhat????  Has anyone out there been able to return a seriously
>heavey horse to work??? Let me know!!!

You are right on about the lung damage.  Let me quote from the Horse
Of Course article:
"The degenerative changes in the areas of emphysema are irreversible.
Once the alveoli are destroyed, they do not grow back."
"Since the alveolar changes are not reversible, there is no way for us
to truly "cure" heaves in a horse.  Once the patches of emphysema have
formed they will be there forever.  Fortunately nature has supplied
the horse with a generous supply of excess lung capacity.  It can
survive and function quite well with large patches of enphysema
PROVIDING nothing interferes with respiration through the remaining
normal lung tissue."
"Your veterinarian can prescribe certain drugs such as
corticosteroids, antihistamines, expectorant cough syrup and
bronchiodilators to aid nature in getting rid of the exudates that
have already formed in your horse's lungs.  But, that's symptomatic
relief...and in most cases temporary.  It's fine for taking care of
periods of acute respiratory distress, but not very practical for the
long haul.
Originally, the swelling of the bronchial tree and the production of
the exudates was the body's response to the presence of an irritant.
It would appear, that when the irritants are eliminated from the
heavey horse's diet and environment, these responses can reverse
themselves."
                          *    *    *
As long as you're not talking about racing or endurance riding, you
should be able to get a horse back in condition for most any activity,
IMHO.  At the point that recovery begins, the horse is not only
functioning without the damaged portions of the lung, but with the
remaining lung capacity severely impaired by reversible conditions.
Once the lungs are clear, there should be sufficient capacity for most
activities, and that can be improved further by exercise.

--Ken Carver