The Impact of Omega-3s on Horses with Lower Airway Disease

Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can reduce signs of chronic lower airway disease in horses.
Share
Favorite
Close

No account yet? Register

ADVERTISEMENT

Chronic lower airway diseases, such as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and inflammatory airway disease (IAD), are all too common in horses today. Reducing dust in the diet and environment can benefit these horses, but Purdue University researchers found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation will reduce signs even further.

For the purpose of their study, the researchers used an algae-based omega-3 supplement that also contained vitamin C, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and a mushroom complex.

“Algae is the richest source of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and this is a vegetarian and renewable source of DHA (unlike fish, which is the other common source of DHA and EPA),” said Laurent Couëtil, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor in the Purdue University Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Specifically, the team aimed to evaluate the algae supplement’s impact on horses with RAO or IAD housed in a low-dust environment, based on changes in visual analog scores (VAS) for cough, lung function, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.

Share

Written by:

Casie Bazay is a freelance and young adult writer, as well as a certified equine acupressure practitioner. She also hosts a blog, The Naturally Healthy Horse. Once an avid barrel racer, she now enjoys giving back to the horses who have given her so much.

Related Articles

Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with

FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com

Sponsored Content

Weekly Poll

sponsored by:

How much time do you usually spend grooming your horse?
439 votes · 439 answers

Readers’ Most Popular

Sign In

Don’t have an account? Register for a FREE account here.

Need to update your account?

You need to be logged in to fill out this form

Create a free account with TheHorse.com!