EIPH

Text Box: What is EIPH?
Exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), or "bleeding", occurs when blood enters the air passages of a horses’ lung, which may lead to the impairment of lung function. Evidence of EIPH can be found in almost all horses that engage in short periods of strenuous exercise such as racing and intense training. This makes it a major health and economic concern to both veterinarians and those involved in the racing and sport horse industries.
What causes EIPH?
Most of the bleeding associated with EIPH comes from the pulmonary system. The only substantiated theory of its’ cause is that the high vascular pressure within the lungs during strenuous exercise causes the smaller capillaries to rupture and leak blood into the lungs’ alveoli.
Do all horses bleed?
More accurate studies using endoscopes, tracheal washes and brochoalveolar lavage (BAL) show that most, if not all horses do bleed during their racing career.
Can you always see if a horse is bleeding?
No. Just 1 - 2 % of horses experience external nosebleeds (epistaxis). Only by using internal examination procedures such as endoscopy, brochoalveolar lavage (BAL) and tracheal washes do you get an accurate determination of bleeding.
Does EIPH get worse with age?
Yes. It has been shown that once a horse bleeds, it will worsen over time. Each subsequent occurrence further insults and weakens the lung leading to progressively more severe bleeding.
Should a preventative treatment be used before a horse begins his racing career?
Yes. The longer you avoid damaging the lung, the longer the horse can perform at its’ peak.
Should the horse be treated before training as well as racing ?
Yes. Strenuous training can induce bleeding and it is important to minimize all occurrences and severity of bleeding episodes.
Does a complete EIPH regimen affect a horses’ career?
Yes. Minimizing EIPH bleeding and it effects will allow a horse to perform at his peak level for a longer period of time, thereby extending his career and earnings potential.
Are there any FDA approved EIPH treatments?
No. Some drugs are legal to use extra-label, but none are FDA approved.