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  Discussion on Right Laryngeal Hemiplegia
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Member:
Mkuchta

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 - 2:20 am:

I recently acquired a 3 year old trotter from a rescue. The horse jogged but never raced. He has a slight cold and when the vet examined him she noticed a bump of tissue on his trachea. (thought they might have cut muscles to improve breathing) Anyway she suggested scoping him. What she found was that the right flap was ~ 80% paralyzed. She later said it was a 3 out of 4. It's unclear if this is the result of an injury, illness, or he was born with it. It's likely that this is why he never raced. Anyway, I need to decide if the problem is bad enough to return him to the rescue or if it won't be a problem since I won't be racing him. I have a few questions that I couldn't find info about.
1. Since this flap covers the larynx when the horse swallows will this problem make the horse more prone to choking?
2. Does this problem typically get worse as the horse ages?
3. I have never heard this horse roar although I have only worked him at the walk and trot. He does snort a lot and seems to get flared nostrils and out of breath more quickly than I would expect. My vet feels that this is not connected to the hemiplegia and that he is just young and out of shape. (He is slightly underweight, has a skin fungus, thrush, and has spent the last year outside with miminal care. ) Is it likely that my vet is correct and he is just not in great condition or is it possible he has some other problem? (My vet is almost always right but I've got to ask :-)
4. If I don't hear roaring is it safe to assume that he is getting enough air? I am concerned about telling the difference between when he is being laid back and when he needs more air .
Thank you very much!
Maureen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 - 6:05 am:

Taking you questions is order:
1. I think there may be some miscommunication here: the flap is supposed to cover the larynx when the horse swallows, that is what keeps him from choking.
2. Yes these problems can be progressive without surgery.
3. Without examining the horse how are we to make a informed judgement?
4. Assuming you are excercising him at the levels you expect to compete at, if the horse does not make noise they are getting enough air through the larynx.

For more on this problem see: Equine Diseases » Respiratory System » Respiratory Noise in Exercising Horses.
DrO
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