Endoscopic findings in the upper respiratory tract of 479 horses.
Abstract: A flexible fiberoptic endoscope was used to examine the upper respiratory tract of 479 horses and 41 (8.6%) had abnormalities. Pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH) was found in 141 horses (29.5%). Statistical analysis showed a relationship between the age of the horse and the prevalence of PLH. Sixteen (3.3%), 10 (2.1%), and 6 (1.3%), of the horses had laryngeal hemiplegia, epiglottic entrapment, and dorsal displacement of the soft palate, respectively. There was no association between the age of the horse and the prevalence of any of these abnormalities; nor was there a positive correlation between the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and PLH or laryngeal hemiplegia.
Publication Date: 1982-09-01 PubMed ID: 6982261
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article examines the upper respiratory tract of 479 horses using a flexible fiberoptic endoscope. It found that 8.6% of the horses had abnormalities, with the most common being pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH). The study also found links between the age of the horse and the prevalence of PLH.
Methodology
- The researchers used a flexible fiberoptic endoscope, which is a medical imaging device, to examine the upper respiratory tract of 479 horses.
- The purpose was to identify any abnormalities in the horses’ respiratory system.
Findings
- Of the 479 horses, 41 (8.6%) were found to have some form of abnormality in their upper respiratory tract.
- The most common abnormality was pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH), found in 141 horses (29.5%). PLH is an overgrowth of the lymphoid tissue in the throat.
- Other identified abnormalities included laryngeal hemiplegia in 16 horses (3.3%), epiglottic entrapment in 10 horses (2.1%), and dorsal displacement of the soft palate in 6 horses (1.3%).
Statistical Analysis
- A statistical analysis was performed on the findings to identify any possible patterns or correlations.
- It was observed that there was a correlation between the age of the horse and the prevalence of PLH. Older horses appeared more likely to have this condition.
- However, there was no significant connection between the horse’s age and the prevalence of the other three identified abnormalities: laryngeal hemiplegia, epiglottic entrapment, or dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
- Similarly, the study found no correlation between the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (a condition involving bleeding from the lungs after exercise) and either PLH or laryngeal hemiplegia.
Conclusion
- The study provides valuable insights into the types and prevalence of upper respiratory tract abnormalities in horses. It highlights the need for regular medical examinations for horses, particularly older ones due to the higher risk of developing PLH.
Cite This Article
APA
Raphel CF.
(1982).
Endoscopic findings in the upper respiratory tract of 479 horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 181(5), 470-473.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Cysts / epidemiology
- Cysts / veterinary
- Endoscopy / veterinary
- Fiber Optic Technology
- Hemorrhage / epidemiology
- Hemorrhage / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Hyperplasia
- Lung Diseases / epidemiology
- Lung Diseases / veterinary
- Lymphoid Tissue / pathology
- Pennsylvania
- Pharyngeal Diseases / epidemiology
- Pharyngeal Diseases / veterinary
- Pharynx / pathology
- Physical Exertion
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Folgmann MS, Stock KF, Feige K, Delling U. Clinical findings of candidate stallions presented for licensing at all German Warmblood horse-breeding associations in 2018-2020. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1584-1591.
- Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Jasiński T, Domino M. Advances in the Diagnosis of Equine Respiratory Diseases: A Review of Novel Imaging and Functional Techniques. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 4;12(3).
- Miller SM. Endoscopic recurrent laryngeal neuropathy grade prevalence in a sample of thoroughbred yearlings at public auction in South Africa (2013-2019). J S Afr Vet Assoc 2020 Apr 20;91(0):e1-e5.
- Lee SK, Lee I. Surgical corrections and postsurgical complications of epiglottic entrapment in Thoroughbreds: 12 cases (2009-2015). J Equine Sci 2019 Jul;30(2):41-45.
- Kusano K, Hobo S, Ode H, Ishikawa Y. Tracheal Endoscopic and Cytological Findings and Blood Examination Results in Thoroughbred Racehorses Suspected to have Lower Respiratory Tract Disease. J Equine Sci 2008;19(4):97-102.
- Sinclair EA. Pharyngeal cyst in a 5-year-old Dutch Warmblood. Can Vet J 2008 Aug;49(8):806-8.
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