BreathEazy Highlights Importance Of Species-specific Spacer Choice In Equine Inhalation Therapy
1 week ago 
153 views
BreathEazy is drawing attention to the importance of species-specific spacer choice in equine inhalation therapy, following anecdotal feedback that some horses receiving inhaled treatment for equine asthma are being managed using devices originally developed for human paediatric patients.
Studies have shown that chamber design, mask fit, valve function and material properties can all affect aerosol drug delivery, with implications for treatment outcomes. In a feline model, a species-specific chamber delivered significantly more medication to the lower airways than the human paediatric chambers tested - nearly two hundred times more in one case.1,2 While this research was conducted in cats, it reinforces the broader principle that spacer design should reflect the intended patient.
Although paediatric spacers may sometimes be viewed as a lower-cost option, horses have distinct respiratory anatomy and physiology. Differences in lung size, tidal volume and inspiratory flow patterns mean that spacer selection can influence how effectively inhaled medication is delivered.
Jon Slattery, BreathEazy Director and veterinary surgeon, said, “When a spacer is not designed around the respiratory physiology of the intended species, there is a risk that medication may not be delivered as effectively as intended. In practice, that can have two important consequences: either more medication may be needed to achieve the desired clinical effect, increasing cost for the owner, or inhaled therapy may be judged to be less effective than it is. When treating equine patients, choosing a spacer designed for horses can help support more reliable delivery and greater confidence in the treatment approach.”
Inhaled therapy is widely used in the management of equine respiratory conditions such as equine asthma and other lower airway diseases. By delivering medication directly to the lungs and lower airways, inhaled treatment can support more targeted management of airway inflammation, with reduced risk of side effects associated with systemic administration.
BreathEazy supplies a range of species-specific respiratory devices, including the AeroHippus® spacer, which has been developed specifically for use in horses. Designed to reflect equine respiratory physiology, AeroHippus® incorporates features intended to support effective drug delivery and practical everyday use, including a mask designed for equine patients, a Flow-Vu® indicator valve to help confirm inhalation, and a chamber engineered to optimise medication delivery.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/aerohippus-pr-apr-26 or contact [email protected]
References
- Nagel, M. Sartori, S. & Rozanski, E.A. Impact of spacer design on respiratory drug delivery and potential drug cost implications. Presented at: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) 2020. Impact of Spacer Design on Respiratory Drug Delivery and Potential Drug Cost Implications
- Nagel, M., Hoffman, N. & Sartori, S. Effectiveness of Pediatric Inhaler Chambers in Cats with Asthma. Presented at: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) 2022. Research Abstract.
More from Companion Consultancy
- Krka expands NSAID portfolio with launch of Robexera® injectable
- AHPR reinforces leadership role in legislative reform following Defra consultation on VSA
- BreathEazy launches new podcast on equine respiratory health and performance
- Krka adds Prazemo® spot-on cat wormer to parasiticide portfolio
- Dignipets announces new partnership with Association of Pet Bereavement Counsellors
7 days ago