Therapeutic Efficacy of Inhaled Fluticasone Propionate in Horses with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heaves, is an allergic respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation, excess mucus formation and bronchospasm. Although the clinical signs, cough and purulent nasal discharge, mimic those of a respiratory infection commonly treated with antibiotics, corticosteroids still remain the treatment of choice. This study demonstrates that inhaled fluticasone propionate administered over 3 weeks is highly effective in the treatment of acute heaves. Authors’ addresses: Dept. of Clinical Studies, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada (Viel, Celly, and Staempfli); Glaxo Wellcome Inc. Mississauga, ON, Canada (Tesarowski). r 1999 AAEP.