Articles :: Respiratory Problems

Foreword:
It's not just humans that suffer from respiratory problems, animals suffer too. This article consists of three letters to Schumacher Pharmaceuticals, manuafacturers of Oralmat rye grass extract products, from a veterinary surgeon treating racehorses in Australia.

The letters show that many race horses suffering respiratory problems benefitted from the use of Oralmat and many were able to race again much sooner than expected.

Click here for more information about Oralmat drops

10 October 1994

Dear Mr. Rudov,

Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 and Type 4 are the causative agents for an insidious highly infectious respiratory disease of horses also known as Equine Rhino Pneumonitis which has become endemic in Australia over the last five years.

The symptoms are often so mild or inobvious as to be missed by many people caring for the horses except that when racing the horses fail to run on at the end of races or fail to find the line as it is known in racing parlance. Clinical symptoms other than poor performance are apparent however to the careful observer and consist of serious nasal discharge, pitting of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract from the internal mares to the lung. Conjunctivitis with a slight watery ocular discharge and a double respiratory effort. The effects on the lung are to cause an asthmatic like broncho spasm which in chronic cases becomes Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Disease.

Haematology reveals a leucopoenia at the time of a current attack and usually a concurrent persistent Normocytic Normochromic Anaemia. There is also a suppression of the immune globulins.

The attack may last 3-10 days but the after effects are persistent. The virus may lie dormant in the lymph nodes or the respiratory tract for 2 years (one authority says 10 years) and reinfection can occur when horses are stressed by heavy training or racing. Sequelae are usual and consistent of the above. Also because of suppression of the immune system bacterial flora which are usually insufficiently virulent pathogens of themselves, gain a foothold and set up secondary bacterial invasion of the respiratory tract and liver. Organisms commonly involved are, streptococcus zooepidemicus and E. coli. Pus in the pharynx and trachea and hepatitis which is distributed about the area of the bile ducts (periductal) are often sequelae. This causes an elevation of the G.G.T. enzymes or Serology.

Nodular Pharyngeal Hyperplasia is usually visible endoscopically in all cases. Cough is usually a feature of the secondary bacterial infection but not of the primary disease, although it is reported from America that coughing is a feature of infection with Herpes Virus Type 2. Release of pathological prostaglandin's can result in close Lymphocyte Neutrophil ratios or even reversal of this ratio, many of the horses become bleeders.

Treatment has been difficult and frustrating. Antibiotics are only of value against the secondary invaders and the hepatitis. Immune stimulants such as Equimune, Equistim or Lavamisole are useful but in chronic cases must be administered with Flunixin Butozolidin or copper endomethocin to neutralise the prostaglandins and allow immune stimulation to occur. Use of an old therapeutic mixture of Bronchodilators and expectorants has in our hands given the best results, but it is a 24-day course and involves using drugs which are prohibited substances under the rules of racing.

Recently we have been investigating a Naturopathic Herbal product Oralmat which has anti-inflammatory properties and is capable of immune stimulation. While it is as yet too early to be decisive about our results, early evidence is promising. One horse which had had a persistent post viral cough for six weeks which was refractory to other treatments ceased to cough after 5 days therapy of 1ml orally night and morning.

Yours faithfully

DR. MERVYN WILIAMSON B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.

11 October 1994

Dear Mr. Rudov

Since writing the previous report results have been attained from a further ten horses who have been treated by the product Oralmat. All of the horses were suffering from Nodular Lymphoid Hyperplasia.

Three had chronic coughs, which were not responsive to other therapy. Eight of the ten horses scoped clear after 5 days treatment, one horse required a further 5 days treatment before scoping clear and one horse still has the cough although we have not so far been able to gain access to scope this horse again.

Yours faithfully

DR. MERVYN WILLIAMSON B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.

7 November 1994

Dear Mr. Rudov,

PROGRESS REPORT FURTHER TO PREVIOUS REPORT:-

10 Standardbreds treated at C.L. post viral cough. All have stopped coughing after course. No previous or concurrent treatment given.

10 Standardbreds treated at H.L.

V - 3 courses. Scoped clear of pus on Trachea as far as bifurcation to each lung. Has had various prior treatments. Was bleeding from lung.

S - Scoped clean after course, although still had elevated moncytes on blood test.

T.I. - Scoped clear after course. Subsequently showed liver infection common sequelae to viral infection.

K.E. - Scoped clear after course. Sacked as poor performer although obviously recovered from respiratory problem. Very small heart score.

E.S. - Definitely improved respiratory tract when scoped. Spelled as immature 2yo still with slight nasal discharge. Would have preferred to give second bottle.

D.S. - Coughing. Course cleared cough.

P.E. & P.B. - Still on treatment.

S.T. - Thoroughbred treated with sulpha drugs, antibiotics, Itz Magic and immune stimulants. Recurrent cough persistently low white cell count. On one course of drops WCC lifted to normal levels. Cough cleared but returned at the end of treatment. Swab +ve for staphylococcal infection. Treated with Gentomycin. Cough responded. WCC dropped again. Ran 3rd at Newcastle, maiden, first glimpse of form in 12 months.

C.F. - Top mare (TB) last season won 8 races on end. New seasons form poor, course of drops. Mare won on Melbourne Cup Day.

C.B. - Poor coat and appearance. Nodular Lymphoid Hyperplasia on scoping. Course of drops and Itz Magic. Scoped clear. Twice placed in Melbourne Cup Carnival with impressive runs.

N.J. - Long history of throat infections which involve different bacteria each time always has low white cell count. Course of drops with Itz Magic. Throat infection cleared and have not recurred. Immune Globulins and WCC lifted. Ran 2nd and won.

Since scoped again Nodular Lymphoid Hyperplasia returned. Itz Magic and drops repeated, scoped clear. Racing in a week.

Yours faithfully

Mervyn Williamson B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.