Trudell Medical International
Overview
History of Aerosol MedicationsAerosol medications delivered by metered dose inhalers or puffers have been used to treat human respiratory conditions since the 1960s. Because respiratory diseases in horses imitate human conditions, they are often treated in a similar way.
AeroMask* Equine System
The AeroMask* Equine System (ES) is designed to be used with pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers (puffers) as recommended by a veterinarian, wet aerosol nebulizers and ultrasonic devices by directly targeting the airway and lungs. The AeroMask* ES delivers aerosolized medication by accurately directing medication to the lungs and small airways – reducing the potential of systemic side effects.
Since 1990, the AeroMask* ES has been used and recommended by dozens of leading university-based equine medical centers around the world. The system has been used in almost 50 countries.
Equine Respiratory Diseases Respiratory diseases in horses are often classified in two ways:
Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD): Chronic, intermittent cough, increased mucoid airway secretions, and decreased performance. IAD can affect horses of any age and clinical signs at rest are usually subtle.
Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO): Disease of the lower airways, resulting in coughing and exercise intolerance. RAO tends to affect mature to older animals and may also be referred to as Heaves.
Your veterinarian is the best person to speak to about your horse’s condition.
The AeroMask* Equine System (ES) is designed to be used with pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers (puffers) as recommended by a veterinarian, wet aerosol nebulizers and ultrasonic devices by directly targeting the airway and lungs. The AeroMask* ES delivers aerosolized medication by accurately directing medication to the lungs and small airways – reducing the potential of systemic side effects.Since 1990, the AeroMask* ES has been used and recommended by dozens of leading university-based equine medical centers around the world. The system has been used in almost 50 countries.
Equine Respiratory Diseases Respiratory diseases in horses are often classified in two ways:
Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD): Chronic, intermittent cough, increased mucoid airway secretions, and decreased performance. IAD can affect horses of any age and clinical signs at rest are usually subtle.
Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO): Disease of the lower airways, resulting in coughing and exercise intolerance. RAO tends to affect mature to older animals and may also be referred to as Heaves.
Your veterinarian is the best person to speak to about your horse’s condition.
Instructions
- AeroSpacer* Aerosol Chamber
- Adapter Port
- Exhalation Valve
- Hook and Loop Fastener
- Silicone Seal
- Handle
Using your AeroMask* Equine System
Determining the Proper Size
To determine the proper mask size, use a cloth tape to measure the horse’s muzzle as shown.The measurement is taken as a circumference around the muzzle and chin.
The AeroMask* ES should be fitted over the horse’s muzzle and may be held in place using the adjustable straps. When sizing it is best to err on the large size when the measurements overlap or are on the border of the high end of the mask size.
| Minimum | Maximum | |
| Small Mask (Ponies/Foal/Newborn) | 12 in (30 cm) | 17 in (43 cm) |
| Medium Mask (Thoroughbred/Standard) | 17 in (43 cm) | 20 in (51 cm) |
| Large Mask (Warm Blood) | 20 in (51 cm) | 26 in (66 cm) |
How to Use your AeroMask* ES Before first use, you may remove the exhalation valves and permit the horse to become comfortable. The horse should accept the mask without hesitation. When the horse has become comfortable, attach both exhalation valves and proceed with the treatment. If the horse shows signs of breathing stress, while wearing the mask, simply remove one exhalation valve between puffs to relax the horse.
Insert the horse's nose into the AeroMask* ES.
Take the cap off the puffer. Shake puffer and insert into AeroSpacer* Aerosol Chamber.
Attach the AeroSpacer* Aerosol Chamber to adapter port opening. 
When exhalation valves close, actuate puffer. Only release one puff of medication into the chamber at a time.
Follow your veterinarian’s instructions for the number of puffs and how long to wait between puffs.
Complete instructions for use and care of your AeroMask* ES.
Testimonials
TestimonialsFrom Poor Performance To "Record Performance"Dr. L. Viel of the Veterinary College at Guelph, Ontario, Canada says the use of the AeroMask* ES allows a horse to perform to its normal potential not to a higher level. The AeroMask* ES has been designed to be used with Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI), which target medicated particles or wet aerosol nebulizer aerosols which go directly to the airways and lungs of the horse. Administration of the therapy using MDIs can be effective in five minutes.
Effective care of a horse afflicted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease serves to increase the quality and length of a horse's working life and maximizes the owner's pleasure and investment.
Effective care of a horse afflicted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease serves to increase the quality and length of a horse's working life and maximizes the owner's pleasure and investment.
Michael, "A Fine Product"Thank you very much for your gift of the AeroMask* Equine System (ES). We have found it to be superior to any other mask that we have used. When we paired with a recently donated ultrasonic aerosol nebulizer, it has provided a valuable tool in treating the lower airways of horses.
Shortly after we received the mask, we had a tragic rash of intentional barn fires in our area. Though many horses either died or were euthanatized as a result, one horse was presented to us for treatment suffering form severe smoke inhalation injury. Using the AeroMask* ES as part of our therapy, this horse was saved and is now back in training. The most remarkable part of this case was how well the mask was tolerated by the horse - he virtually put it on himself when it was time for more medication.
We have since used it for bronchodilator challenges and it has performed equally as well. The horses tolerate the mask without hesitation, and its design allows for minimal leakage of air. We have started recommending the AeroMask* ES to referring veterinarians, who express an interest in such a product, as we have been very happy with its performance.
We feel that there is ample indication for the use of a mask and aerosol nebulizer in foals and wenalins to treat respiratory disease. We encourage you to design and build smaller versions of these masks as we feel that they would be quite useful.
Congratulations on a fine product!
Sincerely,
Michael, DVM
Resident in Medicine
Shortly after we received the mask, we had a tragic rash of intentional barn fires in our area. Though many horses either died or were euthanatized as a result, one horse was presented to us for treatment suffering form severe smoke inhalation injury. Using the AeroMask* ES as part of our therapy, this horse was saved and is now back in training. The most remarkable part of this case was how well the mask was tolerated by the horse - he virtually put it on himself when it was time for more medication.
We have since used it for bronchodilator challenges and it has performed equally as well. The horses tolerate the mask without hesitation, and its design allows for minimal leakage of air. We have started recommending the AeroMask* ES to referring veterinarians, who express an interest in such a product, as we have been very happy with its performance.
We feel that there is ample indication for the use of a mask and aerosol nebulizer in foals and wenalins to treat respiratory disease. We encourage you to design and build smaller versions of these masks as we feel that they would be quite useful.
Congratulations on a fine product!
Sincerely,
Michael, DVM
Resident in Medicine
"Missy's First Birthday"A year ago my 15-year-old Appaloosa mare was given a second chance at life. This exciting news did not come without a price, financially or emotionally.
Over a five year period, she had developed a milky nasal discharge, heaving and coughing that would come and go. Though it was worse in the spring and summer, she was starting to have episodes through the winter. She was diagnosed with having allergies and was treated with corticosteroids and antihistamines without any prolonged relief. As each new year came she got worse. I was buying more and more medicine and the vet calls became more frequent. No one had any answers for me, other than, "it was a seasonal allergy and that it would have to run its course."
Then I read two articles titled "Deadly Respiratory Diseases" and "Heaves: The Stealthy Crippler". After reading the literature, it looked like she had all the symptoms of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) a progressive and sometimes fatal disease but in most cases a manageable one.
I contacted Dr. Andrew Hoffman at Tufts University and made an appointment to have her evaluated.
Along with a physical exam, she was given a pulmonary lung function test (a very important test) which shows her baseline reactivity vs. adding histamine. Though her test was slightly higher, she did respond faster when given the histamine. This was followed by a BAL test (Broncho-Alveolar Lavage) to give them a better idea of the inflammatory cells that were present.
We started her on a tapered dosage of Prednisone for 30 days and a prescribed anti-inflammatory inhaler, which was administered with the AeroMask* Equine System (ES), and the results were remarkable. We discontinued the Prednisone and put her on a maintenance schedule of an anti-inflammatory inhaler.
The other day I watched as she galloped around the pasture running as hard as she could. I still can't believe the difference. This same horse a year ago could not stand still in a pasture without coughing and heaving. At that time, she did not have much of a future.
What I spent to put her back on track was a drop in the bucket compared to what I spent over the past 5 years with little or no results. By treating this aggressively and staying on top of it, I know she will be around for many years.
I have learned a lot about this disease the hard way. In my experience it is not a subject that I would have chosen to write about.
On November 13, 1997, will be Missy's first birthday. Exactly a year to the day that she started living and breathing a new life!
Valerie, "Second Wind"Once again, thank you for all your advice and patience in regards to treating our Arabian mare during her extended bout with asthma. This is the first time in two years that she has shown any improvement and I am finally able to sleep at night knowing there are medications to help her and that you are just a phone call away.
We have had a very severe allergy season here, caused by grasses, pine and mold from all the wet weather. We went straight from unseasonably cold to hot in the blink of an eye. It is with great delight that I can report to you that April (the mare) has been on only two puffs of Flovent every other day! I have also started riding her again and she seems very happy - she does well running with the others and she does not get out of breath or cough.
The information you have sent is particularly interesting as asthma has plagued our family for generations. However, the illustrations of the horse anatomy and how the diseases affect them was most beneficial. I have never seen this information in any horse texts.
I will keep you up to date on our progress. I hope when others is this area realize how great this treatment is and how simple the AeroMask* Equine System (ES) is to use, they too can have many more enjoyable years with their horses.
I hope someday to get to Canada, so perhaps we may meet, thank you for giving April her "second wind".
Sincerely
Valerie
We have had a very severe allergy season here, caused by grasses, pine and mold from all the wet weather. We went straight from unseasonably cold to hot in the blink of an eye. It is with great delight that I can report to you that April (the mare) has been on only two puffs of Flovent every other day! I have also started riding her again and she seems very happy - she does well running with the others and she does not get out of breath or cough.
The information you have sent is particularly interesting as asthma has plagued our family for generations. However, the illustrations of the horse anatomy and how the diseases affect them was most beneficial. I have never seen this information in any horse texts.
I will keep you up to date on our progress. I hope when others is this area realize how great this treatment is and how simple the AeroMask* Equine System (ES) is to use, they too can have many more enjoyable years with their horses.
I hope someday to get to Canada, so perhaps we may meet, thank you for giving April her "second wind".
Sincerely
Valerie
Patricia, "Treatment [was] just in the nick of time"Thank you for helping me obtain the AeroMask* Equine System (ES) in a timely manner this past May, and for your invaluable guidelines on how and what to use with it. (And thanks also to my local vet, Dr. John Gifford, for his professionalism in supporting this adventure).
My beloved Morgan mare Legacy was diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) in 1983. She did quite well on aminophylline for a number of years, but it became ineffective in 1998. We then switched to Ventipulmon, which helped until it was no longer effective this past spring. There seemed to be no other treatment to go to, as oral corticosteroids could not be used because, due to the Cushing's disease, they would make her founder worse.
Luckily, at this same time, I found an article on the AeroMask* ES, and Mr. Foley sent it to me within only a week of my call to Trudell. I think we administered this treatment in just the nick of time as the COPD was so advanced. The summer was a struggle; yet with this treatment, I was able to continue riding her for an hour or so at a time, usually four times a week. She is now doing well enough with tapering off the medications that likely she will be able to do without them over the winter.
In short, the AeroMask* ES is, as far as I know, the only way that a horse with Cushing's disease can be treated for COPD when the latter is advanced. Further, if the AeroMask* ES had been available years ago when the breathing problem first surfaced, much of the damage could likely have been prevented.
Sincerely,
Patricia
Bob - Fair Hill Md.I first purchased an AeroMask* ES in the summer of1996 while training at Arlington Park in Chicago. I have since purchased another mask and use both of them constantly. We are now racing on the East Coast. We travel constantly from Saratoga to the Mid-Atlantic and on to Kentucky. Travel seems to worsen the lung problems in the racehorse, as horses are much more prone to bleeding when shipping and after you stay somewhere for a few days now mucous becomes a very significant problem. My opinion of why Saratoga is referred to as the graveyard of champions and favorites is largely because of the mucous problem created by pollen and other air particulants unique to the Saratoga area. Anyway suffice it to say keeping the horses' lungs clean is the number one problem in training a race horse today. We scope every horse that runs and about 90% of the horses when they work. This is where the AeroMask* ES is very helpful in clearing up the mucous problem. I have found that a treatment consisting of 4 puffs of Serevent and 10 puffs of Flovent 3 times daily will clear up the most difficult cases in 3 to 7 days. Less severe cases may be cleared up with the same treatment, but twice a day instead of 3 times. It would be impossible to operate my stable without the use of the AeroMask* ES in today's racing environment. We used to treat mucous as an infection and bombard it with antibiotics. Not only did this not solve the problem, but it created more problems with the continual use of antibiotics. I would like to add my own personal thanks to Martin Foley for his efforts to keep me headed in the right direction.
Bob - Fair Hill Md.
Helen and Crystal - "The mask is simple and quick to use"The following letter was written by Helen on behalf of Crystal.
Hello, my name is Crystal, and I'm an eleven year old Irish Draught mare. I live in the south of England.
I never had any respiratory problems, but I caught a virus in the summer of 1998, after which I had a pollen and dust allergy.
I managed without medication initially, but I have had to use an AeroMask* ES since March 2000.
The mask is simple and quick to use and, as you can see, stress-free for me. It's also worth a carrot or two when we're finished!
I'm just a hobby horse, really, but I am very active, and I can turn my hoof to anything. "She-who-thinks-she-ought-to-be-obeyed" and I compete in local dressage, show-jumping and cross-country events. We also enjoy a lot of downland hacking.
The mask controls my condition very well, although I do get tired and lack energy if the pollen count is very high, or it is exceptionally warm. All in all, I manage very well on comparatively low doses of medication.
Bye for now,
Crystal
If you would like to be featured on our Caregivers' page, please contact us.
My beloved Morgan mare Legacy was diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) in 1983. She did quite well on aminophylline for a number of years, but it became ineffective in 1998. We then switched to Ventipulmon, which helped until it was no longer effective this past spring. There seemed to be no other treatment to go to, as oral corticosteroids could not be used because, due to the Cushing's disease, they would make her founder worse.
Luckily, at this same time, I found an article on the AeroMask* ES, and Mr. Foley sent it to me within only a week of my call to Trudell. I think we administered this treatment in just the nick of time as the COPD was so advanced. The summer was a struggle; yet with this treatment, I was able to continue riding her for an hour or so at a time, usually four times a week. She is now doing well enough with tapering off the medications that likely she will be able to do without them over the winter.
In short, the AeroMask* ES is, as far as I know, the only way that a horse with Cushing's disease can be treated for COPD when the latter is advanced. Further, if the AeroMask* ES had been available years ago when the breathing problem first surfaced, much of the damage could likely have been prevented.
Sincerely,
Patricia
Bob - Fair Hill Md.I first purchased an AeroMask* ES in the summer of1996 while training at Arlington Park in Chicago. I have since purchased another mask and use both of them constantly. We are now racing on the East Coast. We travel constantly from Saratoga to the Mid-Atlantic and on to Kentucky. Travel seems to worsen the lung problems in the racehorse, as horses are much more prone to bleeding when shipping and after you stay somewhere for a few days now mucous becomes a very significant problem. My opinion of why Saratoga is referred to as the graveyard of champions and favorites is largely because of the mucous problem created by pollen and other air particulants unique to the Saratoga area. Anyway suffice it to say keeping the horses' lungs clean is the number one problem in training a race horse today. We scope every horse that runs and about 90% of the horses when they work. This is where the AeroMask* ES is very helpful in clearing up the mucous problem. I have found that a treatment consisting of 4 puffs of Serevent and 10 puffs of Flovent 3 times daily will clear up the most difficult cases in 3 to 7 days. Less severe cases may be cleared up with the same treatment, but twice a day instead of 3 times. It would be impossible to operate my stable without the use of the AeroMask* ES in today's racing environment. We used to treat mucous as an infection and bombard it with antibiotics. Not only did this not solve the problem, but it created more problems with the continual use of antibiotics. I would like to add my own personal thanks to Martin Foley for his efforts to keep me headed in the right direction.
Bob - Fair Hill Md.
Helen and Crystal - "The mask is simple and quick to use"The following letter was written by Helen on behalf of Crystal.
Hello, my name is Crystal, and I'm an eleven year old Irish Draught mare. I live in the south of England.
I never had any respiratory problems, but I caught a virus in the summer of 1998, after which I had a pollen and dust allergy.
I managed without medication initially, but I have had to use an AeroMask* ES since March 2000.
The mask is simple and quick to use and, as you can see, stress-free for me. It's also worth a carrot or two when we're finished!
I'm just a hobby horse, really, but I am very active, and I can turn my hoof to anything. "She-who-thinks-she-ought-to-be-obeyed" and I compete in local dressage, show-jumping and cross-country events. We also enjoy a lot of downland hacking.
The mask controls my condition very well, although I do get tired and lack energy if the pollen count is very high, or it is exceptionally warm. All in all, I manage very well on comparatively low doses of medication.
Bye for now,
Crystal
If you would like to be featured on our Caregivers' page, please contact us.
Note: The opinions expressed in these testimonials are those of the author only. They do not reflect those of TMI. The testimonials are for informational purposes only. Always consult a Veterinarian before treating your animal with an MDI and AeroMask* Equine System.
Veterinarians
Veterinary Professionals
The goal of the therapy with the AeroMask* ES is to reverse airflow obstruction and control inflammation. Once the horse is stabilized, a maintenance program can be implemented. Therapeutic aerosol administration using puffers can be easily and efficiently completed within about five minutes. This is important to both the horse and trainer, as it allows more time to be spent on exercise and other programs designed to reach optimal performance.
The AeroMask* ES helps to reduce all of these potentially serious problems. The AeroMask* ES represents a clinically designed drug delivery system which uses aerosol therapy technology proven in human use, to treat horses suffering from respiratory diseases. Although no medication has been specifically formulated or approved for use with the AeroMask* ES, current users have reported the use of the following metered dose inhaler medications with the AeroMask* ES:
Note: The dosage form, manufacturer and brand name may vary by country. Trudell Medical International does not endorse the use of any specific medication with the AeroMask* ES including any of the above listed medications. A veterinarian will determine which medication protocol would be best suited to manage your horse’s condition.
The goal of the therapy with the AeroMask* ES is to reverse airflow obstruction and control inflammation. Once the horse is stabilized, a maintenance program can be implemented. Therapeutic aerosol administration using puffers can be easily and efficiently completed within about five minutes. This is important to both the horse and trainer, as it allows more time to be spent on exercise and other programs designed to reach optimal performance.The AeroMask* ES helps to reduce all of these potentially serious problems. The AeroMask* ES represents a clinically designed drug delivery system which uses aerosol therapy technology proven in human use, to treat horses suffering from respiratory diseases. Although no medication has been specifically formulated or approved for use with the AeroMask* ES, current users have reported the use of the following metered dose inhaler medications with the AeroMask* ES:
| Brand Name |
Generic Name
|
Classification
|
Supplied HFA formulation*
|
Dosage Form HFA formulation*
|
|
3M Pharmaceuticals
|
||||
|
AIROMIR†
|
Salbutamol Sulfate
|
Bronchodilator
|
200 doses
|
120µg/dose
|
|
Boehringer Ingelheim
|
||||
|
ATROVENT† Inhalation Aerosol
|
Ipratropium Bromide
|
Bronchodilator
|
200 doses
|
20µg/ actuation
|
|
COMBIVENT† Inhalation Aerosol
|
Ipratropium Bromide AND Salbutamol Sulfate
|
Bronchodilator
|
200 doses
|
20µg/actuation (Ipratropium bromide), 120µg/actuation (salbutamol sulfate)
|
|
GlaxoSmithKline
|
||||
|
SEREVENT† Inhaler
|
Salmeterol Xinafoate
|
Bronchodilator Not in USA
|
120 doses
|
25µg/dose
|
|
VENTOLIN†
Inhaler
|
Salbutamol Sulfate
|
Bronchodilator
|
200 doses
|
100mg/dose
|
|
ADVAIR† 125 (Available in Canada)
|
Salmeterol Xinafoate /Fluticasone
|
Corticosteroid
|
120 doses
|
25µg/dose Salmeterol/ 125µg/Fluticasone
|
|
ADVAIR† 250 (Available in Canada)
|
Salmeterol Xinafoate /Fluticasone |
Corticosteroid
|
120 doses
|
25µg/dose Salmeterol/ 250µg/Fluticasone
|
|
FLOVENT† Inhaler HFA
|
Fluticasone Propionate |
Corticosteroid
|
120 doses
|
125µg/dose
|
|
FLOVENT† Inhaler HFA
|
Fluticasone Propionate
|
Corticosteroid
|
120 doses
|
250µg/dose
|
|
Key
|
||||
|
PROVENTIL†
|
Albuterol Sulfate
|
Bronchodilator
|
200 doses
|
108µg/dose
|
|
Ivax Pharmaceutical
|
||||
|
QVAR† HFA
|
Beclomethasone Dipropinate
|
Corticosteroid
|
120 doses
|
80µg/dose
|
|
This information has been reproduced from the Canadian Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties, 2003.
|
||||
Product Literature
AeroMask* Equine System Literature
Product Information Brochure
Designed to help your patients feel more comfortable with their new device. Frequently Asked Questions, product features and our easy-to-use instructions are reviewed. Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some of the most common questions we get about the AeroMask* ES. 
Consumer focused poster that features all three varieties of chamber to help pet owners understand that their animals need help to Breathe Easier. Finished size is 24” x 33”. Further Reading Articles and abstracts pertaining to aerosol drug delivery in equines with respiratory disease.
Inhalation Therapy and Respiratory Disease, Veterinary European Equine Meeting, January 2008
Heaves - The Stabling Disease (Article published in HorseCare Magazine, Feb/Mar 2006)
Heaves - The Stabling Disease (Article published in HorseCare Magazine, Feb/Mar 2006)
Web LinksLinks to sites about Equine Respiratory Disease.
Pharmacies Online
Pet Pharm
Rx USA
Universal Drugstore
Universities Online
Tufts University
Michigan State University
Horses @ Purdue
EquiCenter Kansas State University
Pharmacies Online
Pet Pharm
Rx USA
Universal Drugstore
Universities Online
Tufts University
Michigan State University
Horses @ Purdue
EquiCenter Kansas State University