Inhaler for horses - the inhalation set SaHoMa®-II from NEBU-TEC
Respiratory disease in horses is the second most common reason for being diagnosed as unrideable. Only lameness is more common and reason number 1 for this finding. A walk through the stable lane of many riding stables confirms the result of a study: every fourth horse coughs or has other respiratory problems. The causes of acute and chronic respiratory diseases in horses can be varied and unfortunately there is no panacea. However, inhalation can serve as a supportive and preventative treatment for horses with respiratory diseases. With its many years of expertise in human medicine and in cooperation with veterinarians, the company NEBU-TEC has developed an inhaler for horses - the Inhalation set SaHoMa®-II
NEBU-TEC develops the first battery-operated inhaler for horses
The company NEBU (English for nebulizer) -TEC (English for technology) has been developing, producing and selling inhalation devices for humans since 1996. After extensive market research and in cooperation with veterinarians, the decision was made in 2004 to also conduct research in veterinary medicine and to develop and produce an inhalation device for horses. The following year, the first hose and cordless inhalation mask for horses was launched under the name SaHoMa (=Safety Horse Mask) brought on the market.
With the SaHoMa®-II inhalation set for horses, inhalation solutions can be nebulized and the active ingredient gets directly to where it is supposed to help and work - namely in the upper and lower respiratory tract. This happens without any cables, chambers or hoses and the aerosol is brought almost silently directly in front of the horse's nostrils.
NEBU-TEC has continuously developed and improved the SaHoMa since its market launch and is working on further innovations for the inhaler. Of course, the results were discussed and discussed with veterinarians, therapists and horse owners of diseased horses. Professional riders, like the owners of the once most expensive horse in the world "Totilas", inhaled the stallion with the SaHoMa®-II inhalation set. The renowned Hong Kong Jockey Club also uses the inhalation device to treat its racehorses.
What does inhalation with the SaHoMa®-II do for my horse?
It has long been known that a cure by the sea helps people with respiratory problems. Loading the horse and heading to the coast for a few weeks or even months to breathe in the sea climate is cumbersome, expensive and often simply not feasible or only a temporary solution.
Inhalation with a mask, such as the SaHoMa®-II, has the advantage that the salty sea air of the coast can be simulated and gets into the respiratory tract. The entire respiratory system of the horse can be moistened and cared for in an uncomplicated, simple and self-performing way. However, not only is preventive inhalation possible, which can protect against chronic respiratory diseases such as equine asthma, but also inhalation with medication in the event of an acute illness such as IAD (= Inflammatory Airway Disease). A closed mask like that of the NEBU-TEC inhaler prevents the active ingredient from being lost to the surrounding air. The inhalation of medication, brine and / or NaCl reaches the horse's upper and lower respiratory tract directly, without detours and losses. The removal of mucus can be promoted and the attacked mucous membranes can regenerate.
Facts about the inhaler
With an inhaler, various factors can be viewed that influence the inhalation process and are characteristic of the inhaler model. For the SaHoMa®-II, the capacity, material, droplet size, performance and fit can be considered.
- Capacity: 17 ml
- Material: Makrolon = transparent, biocompatible, robust and hard-wearing
- Droplet size: 3,92 µm MMAD → mass fraction < 5 µm = approx. 45%.
- Output: 0,8 ml NaCl / minute
- Fit: sealing rings of different sizes allow the mask to be individually adjusted
Guide to using the SaHoMa®-II inhalation set:
How is the SaHoMa®-II inhalation mask put on?
The SaHoMa®-II consists of an inhalation mask specially developed for the horse, which is made of transparent, safe and durable Makrolon.
First you slowly and carefully pull the Sealing ring over the nostrils and places it on the bridge of your horse's nose.
You put the housing over your horse's nostrils so that the sealing ring fits into the recess of the housing.
You guide the fastening strap behind the ears along the poll of your horse and close it with the quick-release fasteners. You fasten the throat strap between the chin pit and the ganache so that the inhalation mask can rest on the head.
Adjustment options enable individual adjustments to your horse's head.
You slide the control unit over the guide rail of the housing until you feel and hear it click into place.
you lay the SaHoMa®-II filter membrane into the filter basket. Both can be slid over the mounting pins on the housing until the tabs audibly click into place.
For the further assembly of the inhaler you need the SaHoMa®-II Mesh-Nebulizer unit with the cover fix for Mesh-Nebulizer units.
We will explain how to use it in the next section.
Is the Mesh-Filled nebulizer unit, you can connect it to the housing. Then you connect the connection cable to one of the two outputs of the control unit.
Push the cover hood along the guide rails of the housing until you hear it click into place.
How will the SaHoMa®-II Mesh-Nebulizer unit used?
The closing lid of the SaHoMa®-II Mesh-Nebulizer unit is opened by turning 80° counterclockwise and lifted upwards.
You can attach the eyelet of the lid fix to the medication cup. To do this, stretch the eyelet and push it down over the medication cup.
You can close the cap by turning it 80° clockwise.
It is now possible for you to fix the cover via the sealing cover of the Mesh-to put on the nebulizer unit.
The next time you open the lid, it is automatically in the correct position thanks to the indentations.
The medication and mixing cup must be used to connect the inhalation solution and isotonic saline solution. You have to shake it well, unless you only nebulize 0,9% NaCl.
Open the cap of the Mesh-Nebulizer unit and fill in the (again well shaken) inhalation solution. You can use a syringe to make filling easier. Then you have to close the lid again.
Carrying out an inhalation process with the inhalation set requires knowledge of the Instructions ahead. A veterinarian must be consulted to diagnose a respiratory condition and determine appropriate treatment - we do not recommend self-diagnosis.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
You can find the complete set, including all the necessary components, on our website: Lepona.de
Spare and wear parts such as filter membrane or SaHoMa®-II Mesh-Nebulizer units you can also buy it there.
The inhalation set for horses contains all the components that you and your horse need for inhalation therapy:
- 1x SaHoMa®-II control unit
- 1x SaHoMa®-II power supply
- 2x SaHoMa®-II Mesh-Nebulizer unit
- 1x lid fix for Mesh-Nebulizer units
- 1x SaHoMa®-II housing
- 1x SaHoMa®-II cover hood
- 1x SaHoMa®-II filter basket
- 6x SaHoMa®-II filter membrane
- 2x SaHoMa®-II sealing ring for large horses
- 1x SaHoMa®-II fastening straps
- 1x SaHoMa®-II transport case
- 1x care basic set
When putting on the inhalation mask for the first time, it is an advantage if the person putting the mask on the horse appears calm and avoids hectic or jerky movements.
After the sealing ring has been pulled over the nostrils onto the bridge of the nose, your horse can already get used to the upcoming inhalation process.
If the housing is also pulled over the nostrils and bridge of the nose, you can feed your horse treats through the opening on the underside of the housing.
Once the filter basket and filter membrane are locked in place, the membrane structure allows the horse to continue breathing normally. Some ultrasonic nebulizers work with valves that create resistance when breathing - this is not the case with the SaHoMa®-II and your horse's breathing is not made difficult.
If your horse doesn't want to stand still during the inhalation process or if it gets restless after a while, you can go for a relaxed walk. This is possible because the SaHoMa®-II is wireless and battery operated. Another advantage is that you can warm up your horse while walking and it is ready for training immediately after inhalation.
It is recommended and pointed out that you should only use inhalation solutions that are also approved for inhalation or have been tested and approved by NEBU-TEC. You can request a detailed list of medication directly from NEBU-TEC.
You are advised not to inhale the following solutions:
- Sterile or distilled water: There is no salt in sterile and/or distilled water. As a result, cells absorb water molecules, which then swell and in extreme cases the cells can burst.
- Brine with a concentration above 3,5%: When inhaling in a mask nebulizer such as the SaHoMa®-II, the salt concentration of the brine should not exceed 3,5%. The higher the salt concentration of the inhalation solution, the stronger the irritating effect.
- Essential oils: In horses, inhalation of essential oils can cause mucosal irritation and even bronchospasm. Therefore, you should never nebulize essential oils in the SaHoMa®-II or any other inhaler. Essential oils have such an extreme effect that even robust and hard-wearing materials such as plastic, plastic or the nebulizer unit are stressed to the point of being unusable.
Thorough cleaning after the inhalation process is very important for hygienic reasons. In this way, the inhalation set is always ready for use and can be used quickly in an acute case. Thorough cleaning also prevents infection from horse to horse. It is recommended to disassemble the inhalation set for this.
You can read a detailed description of the cleaning process in the instructions for use.
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