Equine mask

Abstract

A mask is provided for administering medication, particularly asthmatic medication, to equine animals, particularly horses. The mask has a body that fits over the nostrils of the horse. An aerosolization chamber is secured to the body and opens into the interior thereof, and is supplied with misted medications such as from a metered dose inhaler, for inhalation by the animal. The mask and body is also provided with one or more exhalation ports, and a strap or band or the like for securing the body to the animals face overlying the nostrils.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07 / 947,821, filed Sep. 24, 1992, which is incorporated herein by reference, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07 / 776,835, filed Oct. 15, 1991, which is now abandoned.[0002] Many people suffer breathing problems, particularly asthma, from allergic reactions. Asthma is frequently triggered by grasses, grains, and dust. Alternatively, wet materials, particularly molds often trigger asthmatic attacks. Much work has been done to ameliorate asthmatic attacks in human beings. Metered dose inhalers (MDI) have been developed which will deliver a metered does of medication upon depression of an outlet valve. Epinephrine was one of the first such anti-asthmatic drugs to be packaged in metered dose inhalers. However, epinephrine has undesirable side effects, and better medications have been developed, such as metaproterenol, and albuterol. These have a more direct action on the bronchi and do not have nearly...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0009] In carrying out the foregoing and other objects of the present invention we take advantage of the fact that horses are accustomed to having devices placed over their mouths and adjacent portions of the head, feedbags being common examples. We provide a mask covering the nostrils and mouth of a horse which is lightly sealed to the adjacent areas of the horse's head, but allowing a certain amount of air to pass under the seal along the horse's mouth, as this is comforting to the horse; FIG. 21 is a view generally similar to FIG. 6, but showing a modification using a nebulizer rather than a metered dose inhaler; and FIG. 22 is a fragmentary view showing a modification of a portion of FIG. 21. Either the mask is readily attached to the horse or other equine animal by means of attachments se

Problems solved by technology

Many people suffer breathing problems, particularly asthma, from allergic reactions.

Alternatively, wet materials, particularly molds often trigger asthmatic attacks.

However, epinephrine has undesirable side effects, and better medications have been developed, such as metaproterenol, and albuterol.

The metered dose inhalers do not themselves produce a sufficiently aerosolized form of medication to be highly effective.

The problem is particularly acute with horses that have to perform physically, such as race horses, working farm horses, etc.

Some little work has been done with nebulizers, but these have not been very effective.

Furthermore, it is believed that there is no anti-asthmatic medication with special efficacy in the equine family.

Further, it is believed that it will be many years before any such specific anti-asthmatic medication is developed.

The problem is to deliver anti-asthmatic medication to equine animals.

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