Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in the management of chronic lower airway inflammatory conditions in horses

Nora Nogradi, Purdue University

Abstract

Chronic lower airway inflammatory diseases, such as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and inflammatory airway disease (IAD) are common in horses. RAO and IAD present many similarities with asthma in people. Based on studies in human asthma, omega – 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation has been proposed to improve clinical signs in horses with chronic lower airway inflammatory disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an omega-3 PUFA containing equine feed supplement (Aleira™) in horses with RAO and IAD. The study consisted of two separate experiments. First, a pilot study was performed in 8 research horses owned by Purdue University, to find the minimal effective dose that is able to alter the composition of phospholipid classes in plasma. Once the minimal effective dose was identified, a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial was performed on clientowned horses with a history of chronic respiratory disease (>1 month). Eligible horses were randomly assigned into one of 3 treatment groups fed daily for 2 months with: 30 g of the supplement, 60 g of the supplement or 30 g of placebo. Additionally, all horses in vi the study were maintained on a complete pelleted diet for the duration of the study with no exposure to hay. Multiple clinical and clinicopathologic parameters were measured, and lung function testing was performed before and after the 8-week supplementation period. Data was analyzed using Wilcoxon matched pairs test. Data were expressed as median [25th-75th percentiles] and P<0.05 was considered significant. Clinical improvement was noted in all horses, however the group receiving the supplement had a greater improvement in the veterinarian assigned clinical score and the owner assigned visual analog score, when compared to placebo (P<0.05). Our results indicate that daily feeding with 30 g or 60 g of omega-3 PUFA feed supplement for 2 months in addition to management practices eliminating exposure to hay in the environment results in significant improvement in the clinical status of horses when compared to only providing low dust diet.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Couetil, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Veterinary services

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