Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) in horses are very challenging to treat. The underlying
mechanisms are found in inappropriate immune responses either to previous infectious
agents or to dust or pollen. There are two kinds of chronic respiratory diseases:
chronic obstructive bronchitis with increased cellular immune components and asthma
and asthma-like disease with an elevated humoral response.
Clinical symptoms of CRD include chronic cough, often non-productive, and difficult
breathing. In later stages there appears a heave line defined by the oblique abdominal
muscles.
Bai He Gu Jin Tang is a well known formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine used in
the treatment of lung diseases. It is composed of lung-protective ingredients (table
1) and is an ideal formula in combating CRD in horses.
Mick is a 15-year-old Connemara pony with intermediate to severe episodes of CRD during
the last four years. He had been repeatedly treated with broncho-dilators and antibiotics
with little or no effect.
During winter symptoms worsened and he was prone to infections of the upper airways.
His general condition and nutritional state were good, his mucous membranes were slightly
red but there was not any nasal discharge. He presented a mild to intermediate respiratory
sound of the lungs and slightly labored breathing during intermediate work. Mick was
given the Chinese Formula “Bai He Gu Jin Tang” over the next 3 months and was closely
monitored every 4 weeks. Over a period of 4 months the cough symptoms improved until
they finally stopped. His breathing also improved remarkably and it was possible to
work him on a normal level. However, close monitoring will have to be continued to
prevent a relapse into his previous state.
Tab. 1: Ingredients and their percentages of the Chinese Formula Bai He Gu Jin Tang
|
Name
|
Pin Yin
|
Percentage
|
|
Lilii, bulbus
|
Bai He
|
16
|
|
Ophiopogonis, rad
|
Mai Men Dong
|
13
|
|
Rehmannia viride, rad
|
Sheng Di Huang
|
12
|
|
Rehmannia praep., rad
|
Shu Di Huang
|
12
|
|
Paeonia alba, rad
|
Bai Shao
|
8
|
|
Fritillariae cirrhosae, bulbus
|
Chuan Bei Mu
|
8
|
|
Platycodi, rad
|
Jie Geng
|
8
|
|
Scrophulariae, rad
|
Xuan Shen
|
7
|
|
Glycyrrhizae, rad
|
Gan Cao
|
4
|
