Rockin' Round the Clock - School of Veterinary Medicine - Louisiana ...

Diagnosis in
Motion
The LSU SVM has a new tool to help diagnose
upper respiratory problems in horses. Mick, a
10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, was examined
using the dynamic endoscope (a video camera
that is used internally). Lauren Brown of Baton Rouge, La.,
Mick’s owner, said that Mick had left laryngeal hemiplegia
(found on a prepurchase examination).
Lauren said that the horse made a “roaring” noise when
ridden, but he recently became exercise intolerant and was
refusing jumps. Laura Riggs, DVM, PhD, DACVS, examined
Mick and decided to use the dynamic endoscope to diagnose
him because he was having trouble breathing. “Many upper
airway diseases are dynamic in nature, meaning they only
occur when the horse is exercising,” said Dr. Riggs. “At rest,
the airway may appear normal or not as severely affected.
The dynamic scope was used to confirm the severity of the
known problem (laryngeal hemiplegia) and rule out any other
secondary issues.”
The dynamic endoscope is first secured to the noseband of
the bridle of the horse. It is attached to a battery pack and
processor attached to a saddle pad worn by the horse. The
fiber optic endoscope is then placed in the pharynx. The
image is recorded while the horse exercises and can be
played back at normal or lower speed for evaluation.
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