3‐methylindole as a model of equine obstructive lung disease

Abstract
3-Methylindole was administered orally and i.v. to horses and ponies to determine the ability of this chemical to provide a model of equine pulmonary disease. Both routes produced a severe and sometimes fatal pulmonary disease, characterized by bronchiolitis. Clinical signs developed 48-72 h after dosing and were most severe between days 4 and 10 post-dosing. I.v. administration of 3-methylindole produced lung injury more rapidly and at a lower dose rate than the oral route. The respiratory condition induced by this chemical could become a method for standardization of lung function techniques and interpretation in equine obstructive pulmonary disease.