CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY-TRACT

Chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, including infections, are a mong the medical conditions that are encountered most frequently by eq uine practitioners. The correct use of antibiotics is essential to the treatment of horses with bacterial infections of the respiratory trac t. Practitioners have access to many adjunctive therapeutic drugs for hastening the clinical response or enhancing the outcome of cases of r espiratory disease. Although some of the available agents are benefici al, some drugs lack substantial support. This column considers broncho dilators, corticosteroids, expectorant and mucolytic agents, and other agents (i.e., sodium cromoglycate and immunostimulants) that are used to manage chronic diseases of the respiratory tract in horses.