Examination of the upper and lower respiratory tract relevant to purchase.

The research article centers around the need for meticulous examination of a horse’s upper and lower respiratory tract, relevant to the animal’s purchase. The factors influencing this examination include historical information about the horse, any visible signs of respiratory tract anomalies, the horse’s intended use, and the financial implications.

General Perspective

• The study emphasises the importance of thorough scrutiny of a horse’s respiratory tract in relation to the potential purchase of the animal. The examination serves not only a medical function, thereby identifying existing or potential respiratory problems, but also has economic implications given the pricing of the horse and in determining the horse’s intended use.
• The complexity of the necessary examinations are influenced by various factors including the horse’s medical history, visible signs of respiratory abnormalities, the horse’s proposed purpose (e.g., racing, breeding, or riding), and the cost considerations of both purchasing and potential treatments or maintenance.

Examination Process

• The examination includes the horse at rest as well as possibly during and after exercise. Physical examination involves assessing regional symmetry of the head, neck, and thorax; evaluating nasal airflow and unobstructed nasal passageways; feeling (palpating) the nasal septum, larynx, and trachea; checking for any surgical scars; and auscultation and percussion (listening to and tapping on the body to diagnose by sound).
• The paper suggests that beyond the in-depth physical examination, special checks including endoscopy, stress evaluation and radiography might be necessary depending on the individual horse and its circumstances.

Advancements in Upper Respiratory Tract Examination

• The article highlights the extensive progress made in understanding the horse’s upper respiratory tract (URT) in recent years, particularly with regards to the use of endoscopy and how the findings from these procedures are interpreted.
• The author advises readers to reference a list of extensive sources provided to gain more specific knowledge on the endoscopic diagnosis of other URT conditions.