This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Respiratory System » Noises and Decreased Performane in Exercising Horses: Roarers »
  Discussion on High-speed treadmill videoendoscopic examination
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 2, 2005 - 11:14 am:

The standard examination for horses with respiratory noise is a standing endoscopic examination of the pharyngeal area. Though this often finds abnormalities it is increasingly apparent that some abnormalities are missed that occur during exercise. As the following summary outlines this can result in inappropriate treatment and prognosis in about half the cases. Where respiratory noise is associated with poor performance this is particularly true.
DrO

Vet J. 2005 Sep;170(2):243-8. Epub 2004 Sep 25.
High-speed treadmill videoendoscopic examination of the upper respiratory tract in the horse: the results of 291 clinical cases.

Tan RH, Dowling BA, Dart AJ.
University Veterinary Centre Camden, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Werombi Road, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia.

The purpose of the study was to describe the prevalence of upper airway abnormalities and establish if any significant associations existed between study variables and the two most frequently identified disorders; axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds and dorsal displacement of the soft palate. The clinical records and video-recordings of all horses referred for upper respiratory tract evaluation during high-speed treadmill videoendoscopy between November 1997 and September 2003 were reviewed. Of 291 horses included in the study, 265 underwent resting endoscopy and 42% (112/265) had a recognised abnormality. More than one abnormality was identified in 49% of horses. In general, horses referred specifically for evaluation of a respiratory tract noise were more likely to have an abnormality detected during exercise than those referred for high-speed treadmill videoendoscopy for poor performance (82% versus 49%). Axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (105/192, 55%) was the most common abnormality identified, followed by dorsal displacement of the soft palate (74/192, 39%) and idiopathic left laryngeal hemiplegia (65/192, 34%). Other abnormalities identified included arytenoid collapse, vocal fold collapse, dynamic pharyngeal collapse, epiglottic fold entrapment, epiglottic retroversion, rostral displacement of the palatopharyngeal arch and right laryngeal hemiplegia. In horses with axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds there was a significant association between the increasing severity of the deviation and the increasing number of abnormalities detected. There were no other associations found. High-speed treadmill videoendoscopy is an important component of the evaluation of poor performance, particularly in horses with a history of respiratory noise. The occurrence of multiple abnormalities in a large proportion of horses suggests that high-speed treadmill videoendoscopy should be recommended, where possible, to make an accurate diagnosis, advise on appropriate treatment options and provide a prognosis for affected horses.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC