Endoscopy in horses refers to a diagnostic procedure that involves the use of an endoscope, a flexible tube equipped with a camera and light, to visually examine the interior surfaces of equine organs and tissues. This technique is commonly employed to investigate conditions affecting the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and other internal structures. Endoscopy allows for direct visualization and assessment of abnormalities such as lesions, obstructions, or inflammation. It can also be used to obtain biopsies or remove foreign bodies. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the applications, methodologies, and clinical relevance of endoscopy in equine medicine.
McGivney CL, Sweeney J, Gough KF, Hill EW, Katz LM.Endoscopic tip placement in the pharynx and water flushing interval (FI) may affect exercising upper respiratory tract (URT) endoscopic results. Objective: To determine associations between the endoscopic tip position in the pharynx and automated FI with overground endoscopic (OGE) results. Methods: Randomised balanced 2X5 factorial design. Methods: A total of n = 200 horses undergoing OGE were randomly assigned into 10 groups (n = 20/group) of different automated endoscopic FIs (no flushing, 60, 120, 180, 240 s) with the endoscope tip positioned either rostrally (position A) or caudally ...
Elliott S, Cheetham J.Resting endoscopy has commonly been used as a method to predict laryngeal function at exercise. Objective: To perform a meta-analysis to determine the sensitivity and specificity of resting laryngeal endoscopy to predict clinical recurrent laryngeal neuropathy at exercise. Methods: Meta-analysis. Methods: Manuscripts were included if data were available for both resting and exercising airway function on all or a subset of horses. Normal resting endoscopy was defined as laryngeal grades 1 or 2 on a 4-/7-point scale or 1, 2 or 3 on a 5-point scale and normal dynamic endoscopy as a dynamic laryng...
Rinnovati R, Bianchin Butina B, Bianchi J, Foglia A, Lambertini C, Del Magno S.Branchial remnant cysts are an uncommon cause of masses of the throatlatch area in horses. Two methods of treatment have been proposed in literature, both with complications. This manuscript proposes a method (marsupialization and sclerotherapy) for the treatment of a cyst in a 1.5-year-old Arabian filly. Diagnosis was made by ultrasonographic, radiographic and endoscopic examinations, revealing an anechoic fluid-filled structure and a well-defined capsule not in communication with other structures. After emptying the cyst, the skin was sutured circumferentially to the cyst wall; it was then f...
Gergeleit H, Verspohl J, Rohde J, Rohn K, Ohnesorge B, Bienert-Zeit A.Diagnostics in equine sinusitis can be challenging and often require a combination of different imaging tools to ascertain its underlying aetiology. The bacterial flora of healthy and diseased paranasal sinuses, respectively, has only sporadically been assessed in horses. The objectives of this study were to determine whether assessment of microbiological features of secretions from the paranasal sinuses displays a useful diagnostic tool in equine sinusitis to distinguish between different aetiologies. Secretion samples from 50 horses with sinusitis and from 10 healthy horses were taken transe...
Parente EJ.Many abnormalities of the upper airway that can inhibit performance are determined on a critical resting endoscopic evaluation. Some dynamic abnormalities can only be seen during an exercising endoscopic evaluation, which should be performed whenever the history of abnormal noise or performance limitations is not completely consistent with the resting endoscopic findings. Head and neck position may play a critical role in the evaluation process and the exact position during performance should be reproduced during the clinical examination to definitively define the abnormality. Treatments and p...
Wysocka B, Kluciński W.The goal of the present study was to establish the occurrence of structural disorders in the larynx and pharynx during treadmill exercise tests in horses diagnosed with Equine Asthma (EA). Investigation was performed in 29 horses, patients of the Equine Clinic of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland, admitted with poor exercise performance. Upper and lower airway examinations were performed in all patients revealing both mild to moderate Equine Asthma (13 horses), and no lower airway abnormalities (16 animals). In the group of horses with EA, 11 did not have structural disorders of...
Padalino B, Raidal SL, Knight P, Celi P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G.This study aimed to document the effects of an eight hour journey on behavioural, clinical, haematological, environmental and respiratory parameters, and to identify possible associations between factors. Twelve horses underwent clinical examination, respiratory endoscopy with tracheal wash (TW) aspiration, and collection of venous and arterial blood before (BJ) and after the journey (AJ). TW were submitted for conventional quantitative bacteriological evaluation and genetic microbiome analyses. Behaviour was assessed in stables prior to transportation and throughout the journey. Transportatio...
Nottrott K, Guio C, Schramme M.We report an unusual case of a young Quarter Horse with a large dental fracture fragment displaced into the maxillary sinus, leaving an oroantral communication that caused food impaction and metaplastic calcification in the sinus and facial deformation with cutaneous fistulation. Oral extraction of a remaining tooth fragment from its alveolus was succeeded by a maxillary sinusotomy for removal of the abnormal sinus contents. Since the oroantral fistula did not heal spontaneously following the placement of a silicone dental prosthesis, minimally invasive transbuccal and transnasal endoscopic ap...
Gold JR, Knowles DP, Coffey T, Bayly WM.Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) refers to bleeding from the lungs in association with strenuous exercise. It has been documented in race horses but little information exists on EIPH in barrel racing horses. Objective: Our goals were to evaluate the presence of EIPH in barrel racing horses and estimate its prevalence in the Pacific Northwest. Methods: 149 barrel racing horses enrolled at events in WA (11), ID (3), and MT (33). Methods: Observational cross-sectional study. Data collected included signalment, history of illness, respiratory disease, race division, and pre-race medica...
Montgomery JB, Bracamonte JL, Alam MW, Khan AH, Mohammed SK, Wahid KA.This pilot study assessed wireless capsule endoscopy in horses. Image transmission was achieved with good image quality. Time to exit the stomach was variable and identified as one limitation, together with gaps in image transmission, capsule tumbling, and inability to accurately locate the capsule. Findings demonstrate usefulness and current limitations. Cette étude pilote a évalué l’endoscopie par capsule chez les chevaux. La transmission d’images a permis d’obtenir une bonne qualité d’image. Le temps jusqu’à la sortie de l’estomac était variable et identifié comme une li...
Inoue Y, Sekiguchi M.Therapeutic techniques for oviductal obstruction in the mare are limited. Nonsurgical and retrograde flushing may be an attractive alternative to current treatment methods for oviductal blockage. Objective: To evaluate hysteroscopic selective hydrotubation as a treatment option for presumptive equine oviductal blockage. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: A quantity of 10 mL of saline was flushed through the oviducts in 28 standing sedated mares, which had reproductive histories of unexplained subfertility, by inserting a catheter into the uterotubal junction under endoscopic guidance...
Nijdam P, Elmas C, Fugazzola MC.A 1-month-old Miniature Shetland colt was presented to the Burg Müggenhausen Equine Clinic. Primary complaints were regurgitation of milk, bilateral white nasal discharge, and weakness. Physical examination, endoscopy of the esophagus, and contrast radiography led to the diagnosis of an esophageal stricture and aspiration pneumonia. Surgical treatment by means of an esophagomyotomy was performed. The foal improved only temporarily and multiple sessions of endoscopic balloon dilation of the esophagus were performed afterwards. 12 months after the final treatment the foal was healthy and had no...
Knych HK, Wilson WD, Vale A, Kass PH, Arthur RM, Jones JH.Due to the high prevalence of EIPH in racehorses and its potential impact on the horse's health, furosemide administration is permitted up to 4-h prior to post time in most North American racing jurisdictions. Anecdotal reports suggest that administration of furosemide 24-h prior to strenuous exercise may be equally effective in decreasing the severity of EIPH. Objective: To 1) compare the efficacy of furosemide in reducing the presence and severity of EIPH when administered 4- or 24-h prior to strenuous exercise 2) characterise electrolyte and blood parameters following administration of furo...
Kwiatkowska-Stenzel A, Witkowska D, Sowińska J, Stopyra A.The choice of bedding material affects the quality of air in a stable and, consequently, the respiratory health of horses and humans. The risk of respiratory problems can be mitigated by improving the quality of air in the stable. The choice of bedding material is particularly important in cold climate conditions where horses are kept indoors throughout the year. This study examined the impact of three bedding materials: straw (S), peat with shavings (PS), and crushed wood pellets (CWP). The investigated factors were air contamination, including dust contamination and microbial (bacterial and ...
Davison JA, Lumsden JM, Boston RC, Ahern BJ.To review a large number of equine overground endoscopy (OGE) examinations to determine the incidence of dynamic upper airway obstructions (DUAO); correlations were explored with laryngeal endoscopy findings at rest and abnormal exercising respiratory noise. Methods: Retrospective analysis of horses presenting for OGE because of perceived poor performance and/or history of abnormal exercising respiratory noise between 2010 and 2014. Signalment, history and examination findings during resting laryngeal endoscopy and OGE were reviewed. Results: Of the total examinations, 311 were reviewed. One o...
Colbath AC, Valdés-Martínez A, Leise BS, Hackett ES.OBJECTIVE To determine the pharyngeal and laryngeal distribution of radiopaque contrast medium administered orally or via nasopharyngeal catheter to standing horses. ANIMALS 5 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES A crossover study was conducted. Radiopaque contrast medium (12 mL) was administered orally and via nasopharyngeal catheter to each horse. Pharyngeal and laryngeal distribution of contrast medium was determined by examination of radiographs obtained immediately after administration of contrast medium, compared with those obtained before administration. Regional distribution of contrast me...
Vidovic A, Delling U.Coughing and dysphagia have been described following prosthetic laryngoplasty (LP) with or without ventriculectomy/ventriculocordectomy (VE/VCE) for the treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. All previous case descriptions include patients with acute onset of clinical signs after surgery that persisted. The authors observed a late-onset of dysphagia and coughing months to years after LP ± VE/VCE. The condition was always associated with an abnormality of the aryepiglottic fold (AEF). Treatment options for those patients are limited. We suggest augmentation of the AEF as treatment for ...
da Silva KM, Otaka JNP, Gonçalves CAP, Silva EGA, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB.The respiratory system is essential for health and high athletic performance in horses. Respiratory diseases have been recognized as having a major impact on training equine animals and are commonly cited as the second most common cause of wasted training time. Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is an important cause of poor performance in young racehorses. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) is considered a major issue for the equine industry because of its high prevalence and association with reduced athletic performance. In Brazil, polo is a growing equestrian sport, but studies on ...
Espinosa P, Nieto JE, Estell KE, Kass PH, Aleman M.Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) is a cause of neurological disease in horses that is characterised by facial and vestibulocochlear nerve deficits. Studies reporting and comparing survival following medical or surgical treatment of THO are lacking. Objective: To compare survival and prognosis in horses with THO treated medically or surgically, and to report surgical complications. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: The medical records of horses diagnosed with THO were retrieved, and data on signalment, clinical signs and duration, corneal ulceration and bilateral occurrence were recorde...
Kološ F, Bodeček Š, Žert Z.To describe and report preliminary outcomes of a contralateral trans-nasal endoscopic laser fenestration of the conchae for endoscopic examination and treatment of paranasal sinuses in horses. Methods: Cadaveric experimental and prospective clinical study. Methods: Normal cadaveric equine heads (n = 7) and equine patients (horses n = 7, donkey n = 1) diagnosed with sinusitis. Methods: Ex vivo: a video-endoscope containing a diode laser fiber in the working canal was passed through the nostril and retroflexed in the nasopharynx toward the contralateral conchae. Ventral or dorsal con...
Shawaf TM.Occurrence of intra-nasal foreign bodies is uncommon in horses. This report describes -for the first time- a case of a 4-year-old Arabian-cross mare with unilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, epistaxis and exercise intolerance due to intra-nasal foreign body. Clinical signs, radiography and endoscopic examination confirmed the presence of a tooth fragment (foreign body) embedded in the ventral valve of the left nasal cavity. The foreign body was successfully removed using alligator forceps under endoscopic guidance.
Dotzel AR, Baratt RM.The use of oral endoscopy can be very beneficial in that it helps the clinician to perform a more thorough oral examination. However, due to the high cost, most commercially available equine oral endoscopy systems have been out of reach for clinicians who practice equine dentistry outside a large hospital setting. This article details how to set up an oral endoscopy system that can be used on equine patients either in an ambulatory practice or in a hospital setting. The system is more cost-effective than most other systems currently on the market without sacrificing functionality or image qual...
Hewetson M, Sykes BW, Hallowell GD, Tulamo RM.Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is common in adult horses, particularly those involved in performance disciplines. Currently, detection of EGUS by gastroscopy is the only reliable ante mortem method for definitive diagnosis; however it is unsuitable as a screening test because it is expensive, time consuming, and is not readily available to most veterinarians. Sucrose permeability testing represents a simple, economical alternative to gastroscopy for screening purposes, and the feasibility of this approach in the horse has been previously reported. The aim of this study was to determine t...
Crispe EJ, Lester GD, Secombe CJ, Perera DI.Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is commonly implicated as a cause of poor athletic performance but there is limited and conflicting evidence for this association. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if EIPH, based on endoscopic examination after racing, is associated with a variety of novel and established performance parameters. Methods: Prospective, observational cross-sectional study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses competing between 2012 and 2015 were examined on-course no earlier than 30 min after racing. Examinations were recorded and graded blindly by experi...
McGivney CL, Sweeney J, David F, O'Leary JM, Hill EW, Katz LM.Previous studies support good intra- and interobserver agreements for endoscopic evaluation of various upper respiratory tract (URT) diseases in horses. However, these studies mainly assessed resting endoscopic examination videos and/or focussed on a single URT abnormality. Objective: To estimate intra- and interobserver agreement for identification and grading of all URT abnormalities from resting and overground endoscopy (OGE) videos of Thoroughbreds. Methods: Blinded, fully crossed design. Methods: Resting and OGE URT videos for n = 43 Thoroughbreds were retrospectively chosen based on iden...
Radcliffe RM, Messiaen Y, Irby NL, Divers TJ, Dewey CW, Mitchell KJ, Schnabel LV, Bezuidenhout AJ, Scrivani PV, Ducharme NG.To report a transnasal, endoscopically guided ventral surgical approach for accessing the cranial and caudal segments of the sphenopalatine sinus for mass removal in a horse. Methods: Case report. Methods: Adult horse with acute onset blindness referable to a soft tissue mass within the sphenopalatine sinus. Methods: A 7-year-old Warmblood gelding presented with a history of running into a fence and falling. No neurologic signs were identified at initial examination but acute blindness was noted 3 weeks later. On computed tomography (CT) the sphenopalatine sinus was filled with a large homogen...
Greppi MC, Guillot J, Melloul E, Bourdoiseau G, Lepage O, Cadoré JL.Guttural pouch mycosis (GPM) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition in horses. GPM is caused by a fungal invasion into the mucosal lining of the guttural pouches and, frequently, the associated neurovascular structures. Although several species of fungi have been associated with this disease, Aspergillus spp. appear to be the most common isolated from the guttural pouches. However, it remains unclear which are the predisposing factors leading to the development of the infection. The objectives of the present study were to experimentally reproduce an infection by Aspergillus fumig...
Versnaeyen H, Saey V, Vermeiren D, Chiers K, Ducatelle R.A 7-year-old warmblood mare showed sudden onset of mild intermittent haemoptysis. Clinical examination revealed no significant abnormalities. Haematological examination showed mild anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and neutrophilia. Coagulation tests were normal. Endoscopic examination revealed unilateral pulmonary haemorrhage with blood clots in the bronchi and trachea. Treatment with antibiotics was started and the horse was given stable rest. Two weeks later, the horse was found dead with blood and frothy sputum leaking from the nostrils. Post-mortem examination revealed a large thoracic aortic ane...
Mönki J, Hewetson M, Virtala AM.Equine gastric glandular disease (EGGD) is a term used to classify erosive and ulcerative diseases of the glandular mucosa of the equine stomach. Epidemiologic studies of risk factors for EGGD have not been reported. Objective: To determine risk factors for EGGD. Methods: Cases (n = 83) had endoscopic evidence of EGGD; controls (n = 34) included healthy horses and horses with equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) without EGGD. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. The data were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression modeling. Analysis was performed on the full dataset. An addi...
Kelly PG, Reardon RJ, Johnston MS, Pollock PJ.Endoscopic examination of Thoroughbred (TB) yearlings is performed routinely to determine the suitability of horses for racing and to ensure that the conditions of sale are satisfied. However, previous research has demonstrated that resting endoscopic examination can be inaccurate in the diagnosis of functional pathology of the upper portion of the respiratory tract (URT). Objective: To investigate the feasibility of performing dynamic overground endoscopy in a group of TB yearlings and to compare the results of resting and dynamic endoscopic examination of the URT. Methods: Prospective cohort...
Cruz VC, Sommardahl CS, Chapman EA, Fry MM, Schumacher J.A 12-year-old 500-kg (1,100-lb) American Quarter Horse mare was evaluated because of chronic mucopurulent, bloody discharge from the left nostril, inspiratory dyspnea, and respiratory noise. Results: The horse had severe inspiratory dyspnea and stertorous respiration with no airflow from the left nostril. A temporary tracheostomy was performed. Endoscopy revealed a tan mass protruding from the left middle nasal meatus into the left common nasal meatus; it extended caudally into the nasopharynx and around the caudal edge of the nasal septum into the right nasal cavity. Radiographically, a soft ...
Perkins JD, Salz RO, Schumacher J, Livesey L, Piercy RJ, Barakzai SZ.The extent to which variability affects endoscopic grading of arytenoid cartilage movement is uncertain. Objective: To determine the observer and within horse variability of grading arytenoid cartilage movement in horses during resting endoscopic examination, using a 7-grade system. Methods: Endoscopic recordings of the upper respiratory tract made at rest in 270 draught horses were reviewed independently by 2 veterinarians to assess interobserver variability when scoring horses' laryngeal function with a 7-grade system. Grading was repeated by both examiners in 80 randomly selected recordings...
Ramzan PH, Parkin TD, Shepherd MC.There has been much research directed at potential causative agents and the epidemiology of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD), but few reports of the clinical progression and outcome. Objective: To define clinical features of LRTD in racehorses, including association with age and average duration of disease, through the analysis of endoscopic data. Methods: A retrospective analysis of records from a single training yard of endoscopic examinations undertaken over a 2-year period was performed. Horses were subjected to regular endoscopic examination for a variety of reasons, and all horses ...
Manohar M, Goetz TE.Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) is a common occurrence in racehorses. The objective of this study was to compare pulmonary vascular pressures of healthy Thoroughbred horses with and without postexertion endoscopically detectable fresh blood in the trachea. The nasopharynx, larynx, and trachea (down to the carina) of horses were examined weekly with an endoscope 55-60 min postexertion, and the diagnosis of EIPH was confirmed by the presence of fresh blood in the trachea. Measurements of heart rate and right atrial, pulmonary arterial, and pulmonary arterial wedge pressures were mad...
Murray MJ.Of 183 foals examined by use of gastroendoscopy during 1987 and 1988, 94 had gastric lesions. Sixty-eight of 120 foals in the 1- to 85-day-old age range had endoscopically confirmed gastric lesions, and 26 of 63 foals in the 90- to 310-day-old age range had gastric lesions. Lesions were observed most frequently in the stratified squamous mucosal epithelium, particularly adjacent to the margo plicatus. Lesions were observed in the gastric glandular mucosa in 26 of the 94 foals with gastric lesions, and with a greater frequency in foals with a clinical disorder than in foals with no disorder (27...
da Silva KM, Otaka JNP, Gonçalves CAP, Silva EGA, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB.The respiratory system is essential for health and high athletic performance in horses. Respiratory diseases have been recognized as having a major impact on training equine animals and are commonly cited as the second most common cause of wasted training time. Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is an important cause of poor performance in young racehorses. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) is considered a major issue for the equine industry because of its high prevalence and association with reduced athletic performance. In Brazil, polo is a growing equestrian sport, but studies on ...
Kwiatkowska-Stenzel A, Witkowska D, Sowińska J, Stopyra A.The choice of bedding material affects the quality of air in a stable and, consequently, the respiratory health of horses and humans. The risk of respiratory problems can be mitigated by improving the quality of air in the stable. The choice of bedding material is particularly important in cold climate conditions where horses are kept indoors throughout the year. This study examined the impact of three bedding materials: straw (S), peat with shavings (PS), and crushed wood pellets (CWP). The investigated factors were air contamination, including dust contamination and microbial (bacterial and ...
Tallon R, Hewetson M.Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is recognised as a separate entity to equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and it is recommended that lesions are graded differently. Currently, no validated scoring system exists for EGGD. Objective: To determine inter-observer reliability of two previously described grading systems for EGGD and to assess if agreement improved with gastroscopy experience, specialist training or familiarity with the descriptive system. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: A link to an electronic questionnaire containing 20 images of glandular lesions was circulate...
Léguillette R, Lavoie JP.To evaluate whether bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) alters respiratory mechanics of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (ie, heaves) over a 48-hour period. Methods: 6 horses affected with heaves. Methods: Horses were subjected to a complete BAL procedure, which included sedation with xylazine and butorphanol, intratracheal administration of lidocaine, and instillation and aspiration of two 250-mL boluses of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution through an endoscope (study 1). To evaluate the effects of saline solution, horses were subjected to the same procedure without saline solution instillation an...
Salz RO, Ahern BJ, Boston R, Begg LM.To determine the variation of tracheal mucus scores, tracheal blood scores and transendoscopic tracheal wash (TW) cytology in a population of Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses and assess their association with racing performance. Methods: A total of 220 endoscopic examinations were performed and TWs obtained from 155 TB racehorses. Samples were collected 60-120 min following gallop work. Tracheal mucus score, tracheal blood score and TW cytology were analysed and their association with racing performance assessed. Results: Of the total examinations and samples, 194 from 135 horses fitted the criter...
Couroucé-Malblanc A, Fortier G, Pronost S, Siliart B, Brachet G.This study was designed to compare the efficacy of oral prednisolone and intramuscular (IM) dexamethasone in heaves-affected horses with environmental control. A total of 16 horses, aged 8-20years, with heaves were included in the study. Complete examinations were performed on Day 0 (before treatment), Day 13 (after treatment) and Day 30. Clinical variables, arterial blood gases, mucus scoring and carina evaluation (during endoscopy), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytological analysis were all assessed. The horses were randomly assigned to receive either oral prednisolone (1mg/kg) or IM dex...
Garrett KS, Pierce SW, Embertson RM, Stromberg AJ.OBJECTIVE-To determine the association between results of endoscopic evaluation of arytenoid function (AF) and epiglottic structure (ES) in Thoroughbred yearlings and racing performance at 2 to 4 years of age. DESIGN-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS-2,954 Thoroughbred yearlings. Procedures-Records of yearlings that had endoscopic evaluation of the larynx between 1998 and 2001 were obtained, and results were graded by use of standardized scales. A modified Havemeyer scale (grade I, II.1, II.2, III, or IV) was used to evaluate AF; ES was graded on a scale of 0 to IV. Records were annotated if ...
Bedenice D, Hoffman AM, Parrott B, McDonnel J.Two previously healthy 14-year-old horses developed right-sided unilateral vestibular signs after they had possibly been struck by lightning. Repeated radiographic and endoscopic evaluations did not reveal any significant changes. A brainstem auditory evoked response test indicated a subtle left to right interaural latency difference of waves I, III and V in the more severely affected pony, but its central conduction time remained normal.
Davison JA, Lumsden JM, Boston RC, Ahern BJ.To review a large number of equine overground endoscopy (OGE) examinations to determine the incidence of dynamic upper airway obstructions (DUAO); correlations were explored with laryngeal endoscopy findings at rest and abnormal exercising respiratory noise. Methods: Retrospective analysis of horses presenting for OGE because of perceived poor performance and/or history of abnormal exercising respiratory noise between 2010 and 2014. Signalment, history and examination findings during resting laryngeal endoscopy and OGE were reviewed. Results: Of the total examinations, 311 were reviewed. One o...
Tetens J, Derksen FJ, Stick JA, Lloyd JW, Robinson NE.To evaluate the efficacy of prosthetic laryngoplasty with and without bilateral ventriculocordectomy for treatment of experimentally induced left laryngeal hemiplegia (LLH). Methods: 15 adult Standardbreds. Methods: Horses were allotted to 3 equal groups. Sham operation (group 1), prosthetic laryngoplasty (group 2), or prosthetic laryngoplasty with bilateral ventriculocordectomy (group 3) was performed after induction of LLH. Upper airway function testing was performed prior to left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy (LRLN), 14 days after LRLN, and 60 and 180 days after surgical treatment. Measure...
Dart AJ, Dowling BA, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.To evaluate high-speed treadmill videoendoscopy as a diagnostic technique and document the abnormalities found in Australian horses referred for poor performance associated with abnormal upper respiratory tract noise but where a definitive diagnosis could not be made at rest. Methods: A retrospective clinical study using client-owned horses. Methods: The clinical records and videorecordings of all horses referred to the University of Sydney for poor performance associated with abnormal upper respiratory tract noise during a 13-month period were examined. Only horses with a normal physical exam...
Derksen F, Williams K, Stack A.While airway endoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage are the methodsof choice for diagnosing exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), these techniques do not allow accurate evaluation of the severity of bleeding. EIPH pathology is characterized by occlusive remodeling of pulmonary veins. Affected veins have large collagen deposits in their walls, which reduces their lumens. In the caudodorsal regions, pulmonary vein wall remodeling is associated with hemosiderin accumulation, bronchial circulation angiogenesis, and fibrosis of the alveolar interstitium, bronchovascular bundle, septa, and ple...
Montgomery JB, Bracamonte JL, Alam MW, Khan AH, Mohammed SK, Wahid KA.This pilot study assessed wireless capsule endoscopy in horses. Image transmission was achieved with good image quality. Time to exit the stomach was variable and identified as one limitation, together with gaps in image transmission, capsule tumbling, and inability to accurately locate the capsule. Findings demonstrate usefulness and current limitations. Cette étude pilote a évalué l’endoscopie par capsule chez les chevaux. La transmission d’images a permis d’obtenir une bonne qualité d’image. Le temps jusqu’à la sortie de l’estomac était variable et identifié comme une li...
Mair TS.The clinical features of 18 cases of summer pasture associated obstructive pulmonary disease were reviewed. The horses had signs of obstructive pulmonary disease (expiratory dyspnoea, wheezing and crackling lung sounds and coughing) during the spring, summer or autumn while they were kept permanently at grass with no access to hay or straw, for at least two consecutive years. In nine cases there was a seasonal incidence with the disease occurring during April and May. Eleven of the horses were affected by bouts of severe dyspnoea. Eleven of the horses also suffered from chronic obstructive pul...
Clarke AF, Madelin TM, Allpress RG.The relationship between air hygiene within two types of identically managed horse housing and the incidence of covert respiratory disease (as revealed by endoscopic examination) of their inhabitants was assessed. The horses were all under the supervision of the same trainer. In one yard the design ensured the boxes were well ventilated in still air conditions. In the other yard the boxes were insulated and there was little provision for natural ventilation in still air conditions. There was heavy fungal and actinomycete contamination of wood shavings in the heavily insulated, poorly ventilate...
Hansen S, Klintoe K, Austevoll M, Baptiste KE, Fjeldborg J.Icelandic horses are often stabled in loose-housing systems, and to date this type of stabling has not been evaluated with regard to its potential impact on respiratory health. The objective was to assess if differences in management systems (eg, conventional stable, loose housing and pasture only) affect the degree of airway inflammation, evaluated by cytology of tracheal aspirate (TA) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. In total, 84 Icelandic horses (aged 8.1±4.6 years) housed under three different management systems (conventional stables [n=29], loose-house systems [n=29] and pasture [...
Steinmann M, Bezugley RJ, Bond SL, Pomrantz JS, Léguillette R.Capsule endoscopy offers a new method for visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa in horses where other imaging technologies have diagnostic limitations. Objective: To (1) test the feasibility of using this novel endoscopy capsule to visualize intestinal mucosa in horses, including an objective assessment of image quality, (2) assess how changes in preadministration preparation affect the transit time and the amount of gastrointestinal mucosa visualized, and (3) describe intestinal mucosa lesions in healthy horses. Methods: Five healthy adult horses. Methods: Three protocols were used in ...
Dechant JE, Hendrickson DA.Standing female urogenital endoscopic surgery is facilitated by the more dorsal location of the organs of the female reproduction tract. The most common reason for laparoscopic surgery on the female urogenital system is ovariectomy; however, the technique has been used to diagnose periparturient or reproductive diseases and to perform surgical embryo transfer. Standing surgical approaches avoid the risk and expense of general anesthesia, but these techniques are limited by the temperament and size of the patient and the availability of facilities for restraint. Owner acceptance of laparoscopic...
Prutton JS, Marks SL, Aleman M.Medical treatment of esophageal strictures in horses is limited and the use of balloon dilatation is described in few cases. Long-term follow up after balloon dilatation and the use of intralesional corticosteroids has not been evaluated. Objective: To describe the use of endoscopic guided, esophageal balloon dilatation in horses for cervical and thoracic esophageal strictures and administration of intralesional corticosteroids at the time of dilatation. Methods: Nine horses from the hospital population with benign esophageal strictures. Methods: Retrospective study: Medical records were revie...
Smith KM, Barber SM.A two year old Thoroughbred gelding, presented with guttural pouch hemorrhage, had the internal and external carotid arteries ligated. Guttural pouch mycosis was detected on endoscopic examination. After one month of topical antifungal therapy, the horse was returned and euthanized because of recurrent epistaxis. A bacterial infection of the guttural pouch with associated ulceration and hemorrhage from the maxillary artery was found at necropsy.A two year old grade gelding had ulceration and hemorrhage from the external carotid artery. Utilizing balloon-tipped catheters and arterial ligation, ...
Fitzharris LE, Franklin SH, McConnell AK, Hezzell MJ, Allen KJ.Exercise-induced upper airway collapse (UAC) probably occurs when the stabilising muscles of the upper airway are unable to withstand the dramatic changes in airflow and pressure that occurs during exercise. In racehorses, the mainstay of treatment is surgical intervention. In human athletes, exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction has been treated successfully with inspiratory muscle training (IMT). The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the feasibility of IMT in racehorses; and (2) describe the exercising endoscopy findings pre- and post-IMT in racehorses diagnosed with dynamic UAC. Horse...
Andrews FM, Reinemeyer CR, Longhofer SL.Eighteen mature, healthy horses were divided into three groups (six per group) receiving either no treatment, 15 consecutive days of phenylbutazone (PBZ), or 15 consecutive days of suxibuzone (SBZ) at recommended label doses. Horses underwent endoscopy before and after the treatment period and were assigned gastric ulcer scores. Gastric ulcer number and severity scores were similar across treatment groups. These findings suggest that when administered at the recommended label dose for 15 days, neither PBZ nor SBZ causes an increase in the number or severity of gastric ulcers over what would be...
Dart AJ, Dowling BA, Smith CL.To report dynamic collapse of the apex of the left corniculate process under the right corniculate process into the airway at the dorsal apposition of the paired arytenoid cartilages during exercise as a cause of upper airway dysfunction in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Fifteen horses with a history of poor performance and/or upper respiratory tract noise during exercise. Methods: Video recordings of all horses referred for upper airway evaluation using high-speed treadmill videoendoscopy (HSTV) between January 1998 and December 2003 were reviewed. Records of horses that devel...
