Placement of a long term tracheal cannula in a Thoroughbred racehorse with bilateral laryngeal dysfunction.

A Thoroughbred racehorse with bilateral laryngeal dysfunction was successfully treated using a long-term tracheal cannula to enable the horse to resume its athletic functions.

Research Context

• The paper discusses the treatment of a Thoroughbred racehorse that had bilateral laryngeal dysfunction.
• The horse initially had a genetic malformation of its laryngeal cartilage, which manifested as a right-sided arytenoid dysfunction. This issue was corrected initially with a right-sided laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy.
• However, after a year, the horse developed idiopathic left laryngeal hemiplegia. This prompted the researchers to critically consider alternative long-term treatment methods given the low success and high complication rates associated with more traditional surgical procedures for such conditions.

Research Method

• The researchers decided to place a long-term tracheal cannula. This is a different type of surgery from the ones usually used for such cases.
• Using general anesthesia, they placed a three-piece tracheotomy cannula and stopper.
• The horse was observed and documented as rapidly adjusting to its new tracheal cannula. They encountered no post-surgical complications, and the horse was back in training just four weeks after the surgery.

Aftermath and Conclusions

• Due to local racing rules in Australia, the horse was exported to New Zealand to continue its racing career.
• The researchers concluded that tracheotomy is a relatively straightforward procedure with a low complication risk, and offers a potentially excellent prognosis for restoring full lung function in racing horses afflicted with bilateral laryngeal dysfunction.
• However, they acknowledge that broader adoption of this technique requires considerations on multiple fronts, including matters related to animal welfare and public perception.
• They believe that with all the appropriate conditions, considering the long-term placement of a tracheotomy cannula could be a viable solution to restore maximum airflow in horses suffering from upper airway obstructions.