Understanding and Using Aerosol Therapy in Practice

Presentation Description / Summary: 
Aerosol therapy, including both nebulizers and inhalers, is a cornerstone of respiratory management in large animal practice, yet treatment recommendations and outcomes can be inconsistent and difficult to interpret. In addition to case and drug selection, we must also consider how therapies are delivered. Differences in device performance, drug formulation, and administration technique can substantially alter what reaches the lower airway and ultimately influence clinical response.
 
This session will provide a clinically focused, experience-driven framework for using aerosol therapy more effectively in both field and hospital settings. We will discuss nebulizers and metered-dose inhalers, with emphasis on when each approach may be most useful and how device selection, spacers, masks, and patient compliance influence delivery. Commonly used medications, including bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antimicrobials, and saline, will be addressed through the lens of real-world use, highlighting how compounding, dilution, and handling can meaningfully impact treatment performance.
 
Rather than presenting a single “right way,” this session will focus on why responses to aerosol therapy can be variable and sometimes unpredictable. By integrating emerging data with clinical experience, we will highlight where current assumptions may not hold true and where important knowledge gaps remain. The goal is to provide a clearer framework for interpreting response to therapy and making thoughtful, informed adjustments in practice. Attendees will leave with a practical understanding of the factors that drive variability in aerosol drug delivery and a more structured approach to selecting and using inhaled therapies in large animal patients.