AVA Conference Adelaide 2016

The cough reflex occurs as a result of stimulation of irritant receptors within the airways, in response to noxious or mechanical stimuli. The resulting forced exhalation will aid in the removal of mucus or any foreign body within the respiratory tract in an attempt to protect the lower airways from damage. Coughing is a non-specific indicator of respiratory disease and may occur as a result of a number of infectious and non-infectious causes affecting both the upper and lower airways. This presentation will focus on the most common non-infectious respiratory disorders affecting the horse, including inflammatory airway disease (IAD), recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and summer pasture associated recurrent airway obstruction (SPARAO). The relevance of these disorders in relation to Australian conditions will be discussed and details regarding diagnostic techniques (including sampling of respiratory fluids), pathophysiology and treatment (both environmental and pharmacologic) will be covered. In addition to lower airway disease, coughing may also be an indicator of some upper airway abnormalities, especially in non-racehorses. These conditions (including epiglottic abnormalities and dorsal displacement of the soft palate - DDSP) will also be discussed