Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
N-butylscopolammonium bromide improves lung function in horses
By Couetil, L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2012·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of N-butylscopolammonium bromide on lung function in horses with recurrent airway obstruction.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Nine horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), which causes breathing difficulties due to airway inflammation and mucus buildup, were treated with N-butylscopolammonium bromide (NBB) to see if it could improve their lung function. After receiving the treatment, the horses showed significant improvement in their clinical scores and lung function within 10 minutes, indicating that NBB effectively opened their airways. However, the benefits of the treatment began to wear off within an hour. This suggests that while NBB can provide quick relief for horses with RAO, it may need to be administered frequently for ongoing management.
People also search for: horse breathing problems treatment · recurrent airway obstruction in horses · N-butylscopolammonium bromide for horses
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and increased mucus production in the airways. Anticholinergic drugs like atropine induce bronchodilatation and rapid improvement in lung function. N-butylscopolammonium bromide (NBB) is an anticholinergic drug used to relieve spasmodic colic in horses, but its effect on airway smooth muscle is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of NBB on clinical signs and lung function of RAO-affected horses. ANIMALS: Nine horses diagnosed with RAO. METHODS: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover trial. Horses were challenged with moldy hay until a maximum change in transpulmonary pressure (∆P(L) (max) ) > 15 cm H(2) O was achieved. NBB (0.3 mg/kg) or placebo (0.9% saline) was administered IV. Clinical scores and lung function were recorded at baseline and then periodically after treatment administration. Horses were allowed a 6-week washout before administration of opposite treatments. RESULTS: Clinical score at 10 and 30 minutes (8.7 ± 2.8 and 8.7 ± 3.2, respectively) after NBB administration was significantly lower than baseline (10.8 ± 2.4). NBB administration resulted in a significant decrease in ∆P(L) (max) (baseline: 35.1 ± 6.9 cm H(2) O) starting 2 minutes after administration (16.3 ± 6.6 cmH(2) O) with a maximum decline observed at 10 minutes (13.5 ± 7.1 cm H(2) O). ∆P(L) (max) values between 60 and 120 minutes after NBB administration were not different from placebo. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: N-butylscopolammonium bromide is a potent bronchodilator, reaching maximum effect 10 minutes after intravenous administration. This effect dissipates within 1 hour of drug administration.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22925156/