title: Comparison of prednisolone and dexamethasone effects in the presence of environmental control in heaves-affected horses.
abstract: This study was designed to compare the efficacy of oral prednisolone and intramuscular (IM) dexamethasone in heaves-affected horses with environmental control. A total of 16 horses, aged 8-20years, with heaves were included in the study. Complete examinations were performed on Day 0 (before treatment), Day 13 (after treatment) and Day 30. Clinical variables, arterial blood gases, mucus scoring and carina evaluation (during endoscopy), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytological analysis were all assessed. The horses were randomly assigned to receive either oral prednisolone (1mg/kg) or IM dexamethasone (0.1mg/kg). The animals were clinically scored and mucus accumulation evaluated. Results were analysed by repeated measures ANOVA with time (days of treatment) and treatment as the main effects. When combined with environmental control, prednisolone and dexamethasone treatments had similar effects on heaves score, blood gases and endoscopic scores. However, dexamethasone had a more beneficial effect on BAL cytology.
authors.affiliation: UPSP 5304 de Physiopathologie Animale et Pharmacologie fonctionnelle, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Nantes, Atlanpôle - La Chantrerie, 44 307 Nantes Cedex, France. courouce@vet-nantes.fr
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Couroucé-Malblanc
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fortier
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pronost
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Siliart
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brachet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011239:Prednisolone; D006854:Hydrocortisone