[Examination and treatment of respiratory tract diseases in the horse in clinical practice].

The research article primarily discusses the prevalence of respiratory diseases in horses despite regular vaccinations, highlighting the primary clinical and treatment approaches implemented at a practice in Munich Riem.

Research Context

• The primary setting for this study is a horse clinic in Munich Riem which treated a total of 4000 horses in 1985, in which 22% manifested some form of respiratory disease.
• The study didn’t consider preventive forms of veterinary care such as vaccinations and deworming, focusing instead on responsive curative treatment.
• From 1983 to the time of the study, the clinic treated 256 horses suffering from COPD, a chronic lung disease contributing significantly to the respiratory disorder cases in the clinic.

Major Observations

• The practice observed an assortment of acute, subacute, and chronic respiratory diseases among horses treated while out-patient. For in-patient care, it tended more towards chronic respiratory disorders.
• It is acknowledged that the etiology of the respiratory disease typically remains elusive, even though most patients come from a generally healthy population apart from specific instances of endemic or epidemic affections presenting with overt signs of acute infections.

Typical Treatment Process

• The treatment protocol typically begins with documentation of the horse’s current illness history and thorough clinical examination including the determination of breath frequency and type, lung auscultation and endoscopies (laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy).
• Following the diagnostic procedures, a symptomatic treatment course is usually initiated.
• For conditions such as laryngitis or laryngotracheitis, inhalation treatments can prove successful.