Equine Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis

Equine multionodular pulmonary fibrosis refers to a type of infection within the lungs of a horse that starts as a respiratory tract infection. If the illness is not treated, it will become a long-term health condition for the horse, which can eventually lead to lung disease. Proper diagnosis and treatment is required to ensure the horses are at optimal health.

  1. Causes

    • Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis is caused by the onset of the herpes virus within the lungs of the horse. The herpes virus attacks the deoxyribonucleic acid of the horse's lung cells and as a result causes interstitial pneumonia. Deoxyribonucleic acid also known as DNA is the genetic material of the cell. This will eventually lead to lung disease if not treated. Five strains of the herpes virus can attack the horse and cause serious health effects. Out of the five, the equine herpes virus five strain is the main cause of multinodular pulmonary fibrosis.

    Symptoms

    • The main symptom of this disease cannot be found externally. The disease causes fibrous nodules to multiple within each air sack or alveolus in the lungs. As a result, the horse will experience shortness of breath and have less stamina. The horse's behaviour will change resulting in the horses not taking part in physical activities. The horse's ability to gallop and run is also affected. Other symptoms present would be loss of appetite, eventually leading to anorexia in the horse, fever and cough and liquid discharge from the nose.

    Diagnoses

    • To test for equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis, the veterinarian will talk a fluid sample from the lungs and test it for the gamma herpes virus, more specifically the equine herpes virus five strain. This is the most definite and accurate testing for the infection. Preliminary tests done on the lung such as performing an ultrasound on the lungs or conducting a radiograph on them as well can show abnormal alveoli or fluid within the lungs, but the herpes virus five testing must be performed for accurate diagnosis. The main reason for this is that, the preliminary tests don't cancel out other disease such as cancer or pneumonia that can potentially be the cause of the lung nodules rather than multinodular pulmonary fibrosis.

    Treatment

    • Because the infection is caused by a virus, treating the horse with antibiotics will not help. Using steroid medications known as corticosteroids will help in combating the inflammation within the lungs that arises from the infection. Using antiviral medication for a period of 12 months, allows the horse to fully recuperate and regain its health back. The time the horses is on antiviral medication is dependent on the onset of the infection, the amount of time the infection entered the body without being treated and the severity of the infection. The earlier the diagnosis of the infection, the earlier the horse is able to receive medication and as a result, the faster the horse is able to regain its health.