Study of the effect of Bronchipret on the lung function of five Austrian saddle horses suffering recurrent airway obstruction (heaves)
Authors: van den Hoven R., Zappe H., Zitterl‐Eglseer K., Jugl M., Franz C.
Journal: Veterinary Record
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Bronchipret and Recurrent Airway Obstruction Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO, commonly known as heaves) impairs lung mechanics through airway inflammation and bronchospasm, prompting investigation into herbal interventions beyond conventional corticosteroid therapy. Van den Hoven and colleagues administered an oral phytotherapeutic preparation containing thyme and primula extracts (Bronchipret) to five affected Austrian saddle horses over one month, monitoring pulmonary function via invasive pressure–volume measurements and arterial blood gas analysis. Significant improvements emerged in the mechanical properties most relevant to breathing effort: static lung compliance increased, pulmonary pressure decreased, and airway resistance fell—changes indicating genuinely improved gas exchange mechanics—whilst thymol was detected in plasma, confirming active absorption of the herbal constituents. Paradoxically, clinical signs (nasal discharge, coughing, exercise intolerance) and arterial oxygen saturation did not improve significantly, suggesting the herbal extract may ameliorate underlying bronchial tone and air trapping without addressing the inflammatory cascade driving RAO's clinical manifestations. For practitioners, this small pilot study indicates Bronchipret warrants further investigation in larger, controlled trials, though current evidence suggests herbal monotherapy alone may not resolve RAO's clinical presentation and should likely complement conventional management strategies rather than replace them.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Bronchipret may offer measurable improvements in lung mechanics for heaves patients, though clinical improvement may lag behind objective measurements
- •Good oral acceptance makes this herbal preparation a practical option for horses with respiratory disease, but clinical response should be monitored independently of lung function tests
- •Disconnect between objective lung function improvements and persistent clinical signs suggests need for multimodal management rather than relying on this treatment alone
Key Findings
- •Thyme and primula extract (Bronchipret) was well tolerated orally in 5 horses with heaves
- •Plasma thymol concentrations confirmed gastrointestinal absorption of active compounds
- •Lung compliance, pulmonary pressure, and airway resistance showed significant improvement after one month of treatment
- •Clinical signs severity and arterial oxygen partial pressure did not significantly improve despite physiological improvements