Endoscopy
What is endoscopy? Endoscopy is a procedure that involves passing a flexible fibreoptic (camera) endoscope through the horse’s nostril and down the nasal passage to visualise areas of the upper respiratory tract, such as the larynx, guttural pouches and trachea. We can also use it to take samples from the trachea or lungs.
When should endoscopy be performed?
- chronic (persistent) cough
- nasal discharge (mucus, pus, blood)
- abnormal respiratory noise at rest or during exercise
- swelling of the face or throat region
- part of poor performance evaluation
What is involved in the procedure?
Endoscopic examination is performed with the horse standing, usually with minimal physical restraint such as the use of a ‘lip twitch’. Particularly nervous or fractious horses may require chemical restraint (sedation). Endoscopy can be performed at your stable or property, or you can bring your horse to the clinic where we can examine it with our Video Endoscope which allows visualisation of the airways on a high definition flat screen monitor. This allows you to see what we are looking at when we examine the airways and we find that many clients are amazed at what we actually see.
We have also recently aquired a new Equine Exercise Endoscope which enables us to examine the airways whilst the horse is performing at high speeds. To find out more about this exciting new piece of diagnostic equipment please click on the link below.
New Equine Exercise Endoscope