Horse Racing

Gut Microbiota And Equine Asthma Linked


A new study out of Canada has shown that asthmatic horses don’t adapt their intestinal flora to changes in the environment like healthy horses do. It is not yet known if lung issues affect the gut or gut issues affect the lungs, or if both issues have a root systemic cause, says Dr. Mathilde Leclere of the Université de Montréal. Leclere worked with Dr. Marcio Costa of the school’s Veterinary Department of Biomedical Sciences for the study, reports The Horse.

The duo examined fecal samples of 12 horses: six asthmatic horses and six control horses housed on the same farm. The horses lived on pasture for three weeks and were then moved indoors for three weeks and fed either high-quality or dusty hay.

As expected, the asthmatic horses developed airway obstructions when moved indoors; the horse’s asthma was worse in the horses that were fed dusty hay. However, a change in the gut microbiota in asthmatic horses was also noted when they were moved indoors. The scientists noted that in healthy horses, there was an increase in bacteria that degrades cellulose; this did not occur in asthmatic horses.

The scientists came up with three hypotheses about horses with asthma:

  • Asthmatic horses may have an altered gut microbiota from a young age that predisposes them to develop asthma
  • Asthmatic horses may have developed an altered gut microbiota because of their systemic airway inflammation and low oxygen levels
  • Asthmatic horses may have developed altered gut microbiota because of their management and treatment (including the use of corticosteroids and possibly minimal hay being fed, for example)

The scientists are hopeful that this study will assist in determining better treatment and management strategies for asthmatic horses.

Read more at The Horse.





READ NEWS SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.