Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of smoke inhalation in five horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1993
- Authors:
- Kemper, T et al.
- Affiliation:
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Five horses were treated for injuries caused by smoke inhalation after a barn fire. Three of the horses had mild symptoms, like fast breathing and low oxygen levels, but they improved with medications such as diuretics, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and antibiotics. The other two horses were much worse off, struggling to breathe and having very low oxygen levels, so they needed extra fluids and a procedure to help clear their airways. Unfortunately, one of these severely affected horses developed a serious intestinal condition and had to be put to sleep. The four horses that survived took about 2 to 5 months to fully recover and were able to return to their normal work without any loss in performance.
Abstract
Five horses were admitted for treatment of smoke-inhalation injuries sustained in a barn fire. Three of the horses were mildly affected, with high respiratory rates (24 to 36 breaths/min) and normal to low arterial oxygen tensions (77.0 to 94.1 mm of Hg), and responded well to administration of diuretics, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and antibiotics. The 2 remaining horses were severely affected. Both were in respiratory distress, with markedly low arterial oxygen tensions (50.4 and 57.1 mm of Hg) and cyanosis. These 2 horses required fluid resuscitation in addition to the treatments given to the less severely affected horses. Tracheostomy was performed to facilitate removal of large, obstructive, pseudomembranous tracheobronchial casts. Oxygen was administered by nasal or tracheal insufflation or by use of a high-frequency jet ventilator. The most severely affected horse developed hemorrhagic colitis and was euthanatized. The 4 surviving horses recovered in 2 to 5 months and resumed working without reduction in performance capability.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8420913/