Bronchoalveolar lavage in ponies with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves).

• DOI: 10.1164/arrd.1985.132.5.1066
• Publication Date: 1985-11-01
• Authors: Frederik J. Derksen; Jerry Scott; D C Miller; R. F. Slocombe; Nicola Robinson
• Keywords: Pony; Airway obstruction; Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae; Barn

We performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 2 groups of ponies. Principal ponies had a history heaves, disease characterized by recurrent airway obstruction and hyperreactivity when are housed barn fed hay; control no obstruction. Ponies were paired (principal control), BAL was after months being pastured principal clinical remission (Period A), housing acute B), 1- 2-wk recovery phase pasture grazing (Periods C D). At Periods A, C, D, white blood cell counts immunoglobulin/albumin ratios peripheral fluid animals did not differ. Peripheral unaffected exposure return to pasture. However, at Period B, neutrophil numbers the increased but animals. The IgG/albumin ratio C. conclude that with results neutrophils fluid. In this pony model lung disease, pulmonary leukostasis follows time course similar hyperreactivity.