Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a dressage horse

A 14-year-old gelded dressage horse weighing 500 kg was presented to the Equine Medical Center of the Seoul Racecourse of Korea Racing Authority (KRA) due to coughing and mucopurulent nasal discharge. The horse was initiated with empirical antibiotic in the first place. However, the clinical signs did not improve but were rather exacerbated even after 3 weeks of therapy. Extensive diagnostic procedures including transtracheal wash (TTW) fluid cytology were undertaken. The localized wheezes and crackles were auscultated and an increase in the amount of mucopurulent exudate in trachea was observed at endoscopy. Infiltration of neutrophils was observed in the TTW fluid cytology implying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, the systemic glucocorticoid therapy was to be given for 3 weeks with improved ventilation provided at the same time. The respiratory symptoms started to improve in 7 days of therapy and were fully resolved by when the therapy was terminated. The horse is clinically normal now and being monitored for development of any signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.