🐴 Small Airway Inflammatory Disease in Horses: Diagnosis & Management in 2025 💨🧠

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Small airway inflammatory disease (SAID) is a chronic respiratory condition in horses that develops gradually and impacts athletic performance. In 2025, early detection and environmental management are key to improving outcomes for affected horses. 🧬🐎

💡 What Is SAID?

SAID is a non-infectious, allergic-based lung disease that leads to inflammation in the small airways of the lungs. It is sometimes considered a precursor to heaves (severe equine asthma) and is part of the equine asthma spectrum. 🧠

📋 Early Signs of SAID

Symptoms often include:

• 📉 Decreased stamina or performance
• 🌡️ Worsening in hot or humid conditions
• 😷 Intermittent, deep cough
• 💨 Mild respiratory effort with exercise

Unlike infections, SAID typically does not cause fever, lethargy, or appetite loss. Horses often look “normal” at rest but are slow under saddle. ❓

🧪 What Causes SAID?

The condition is triggered by allergens and irritants in the horse’s environment:

• 🌾 Mold and dust in hay and bedding
• 🏠 Ammonia and bacterial particles in stall air
• 🌳 Pollen and seasonal allergens (spring/summer)
• 📦 Poor air circulation in barns

Horses can be affected year-round depending on exposure. Spring, summer, and winter stabling seasons are particularly risky. 🔄

🔍 Diagnosis: Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

The gold standard for diagnosing SAID is a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL):

• 💉 A sedated horse has a tube inserted into the lower lung
• 💧 Sterile fluid is flushed in and retrieved for analysis
• 🧬 The sample is examined for inflammatory cells

This test helps rule out infection and measure airway inflammation severity. 🔬

🧠 Differentiating from Infectious Disease

Unlike bacterial or viral pneumonia, horses with SAID:

• ❌ Do not run a fever
• 🧘 Do not appear acutely ill
• 📉 Show signs over weeks or months—not suddenly

Knowing the difference avoids unnecessary antibiotics and guides proper treatment. 🧠

💊 Treatment in 2025

✅ 1. Environmental Management

This is the single most important aspect of treatment. Strategies include:

• 🌾 Feeding soaked or steamed hay
• 🧼 Using low-dust bedding (e.g., wood pellets, cardboard flakes)
• 💨 Improving barn ventilation
• 🏞️ Maximizing turnout time

✅ 2. Bronchodilators

• 💨 Used short-term to open airways and ease breathing
• 📍 Administered via nebulizer or inhaler

✅ 3. Corticosteroids

• 🧬 Reduce airway inflammation
• 💉 Can be systemic or inhaled (safer for long-term use)

These medications control symptoms, but must be paired with environmental change to be effective long-term. 🔁

📋 Monitoring Progress

• 📅 Schedule rechecks every 3–6 months
• 📊 Track cough frequency and exercise tolerance
• 📈 Consider repeat BAL if symptoms recur or worsen

📲 Ask A Vet for Respiratory Support

Suspect SAID in your horse? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App for respiratory evaluation, testing plans, and treatment protocols. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can interpret BAL results, guide stall modifications, and select bronchodilator or steroid therapies for safe use. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, small airway inflammatory disease is manageable—but only if it’s recognized early. Don’t overlook a slow, coughing horse—these are often the first signs of chronic airway damage. With smart environment changes and targeted treatment, your horse can breathe easy and perform comfortably. 💨🐎

Need a lung health plan? Visit AskAVet.com and breathe new life into your training 🐴🧬