Finding fungi in so many horses’ respiratory tracts caused
the authors to question the “use of corticosteroids as a
unique treatment of airway inflammation” because they
depress the immune system, which actually fights the
fungal infection. They noted that anti-fungal treatment
is included in prescriptions for human allergic diseases
involving a fungal component, like severe acute respiratory
syndrome. Perhaps it should be for horses, too.
Environmental Solutions
“Environmental management is the only way to protect
your horse against fungi,” explained Dr Van Erck-Westergren
in a follow-up interview. “Fungi are everywhere: in the
straw, in the hay and in the stall and storage areas. Their
aim is to proliferate.
“There is now overwhelming evidence for the effectiveness
of Haygain steamed hay in reducing IAD and helping
to improve respiratory health in horses,” she continued.
Regular stall disinfection, dust-free shavings and a sealed
flooring system that requires minimal bedding, like ComfortStall,
were additional recommendations for keeping
fungi at bay, preventing Inflammatory Airway Disease and
maintaining the overall respiratory health.
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