THE EFFECT OF DRY SALINE AEROSOL THERAPY ON ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS PARAMETERS IN HORSES WITH MILD EQUINE ASTHMA

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of dry saline aerosol on blood gas changes in horses diagnosed with equine asthma and healthy horses. We hypothesized that the positive effect of dry saline aerosol therapy as a mucolytic would lead to changes in arterial blood gases due to improved gas exchange. The analysis of the effect on respiratory efficiency and blood oxygenation was done by monitoring and interpreting PaO2 (arterial partial oxygen pressure), PaCO2 (arterial partial CO2 pressure), and SaO(2) (arterial oxygen saturation of haemoglobin). The study was performed on 44 horses (21 males and 23 females). The horsed were divided into two groups: Group 1 - 23 patients diagnosed with mild equine asthma and Group 2 - 21 healthy patients without evident respiratory symptomatology. All patients received the same treatment protocol for seven days, 60 minutes a day, with blood samples taken on the first and last day of therapy. Group 1 showed statistically significant improvement in clinical status and arterial blood gasometry (p < .05) after seven days of therapy. The results of Group 2 were in the normal range, statistical improved values were detected for PaO2 and PaCO2. The study shows promising results; using the SaltMed dry aerosol generator can improve the clinical status of horses with mild equine asthma signs.