The Respiratory Tract Flashcards by Megan Ganley

What are the nostrils made of

Cartilaginous rings, expanded by small muscles

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What is cavallo by Pisanello

Surgically slit nostrils

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What is the role of the ethmoid turbinate

Prevent dust and particles from entering the horse’s airways
At the end of nasal passage

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The pair of blind sacs that arise from the tubes of the middle ear with large vessels running through it are…

Guttural pouches

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What are the hypotheses on guttural pouch function?

May influence internal carotid artery BP
Cerebral blood cooling mechanism operating at times of physical stress/exercise (cool air and exposed artery = cool blood)

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*** identify everything on pic on slide 23

DO it

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How many pairs of sinuses does a horse have

Six

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Why are the frontal and maxillary sinuses commonly associated with disease?

Young horses have long tooth roots which reach the maxillary sinus cavity (which open into the frontal sinuses)
If tooth is diseased, so is sinus

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What is the role of the pharynx

Crossroads between the larynx and the esophagus

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How does the pharynx change when the horse is eating vs breathing

Swallowing = soft palate elevates and prevents air from being drawn in through nose. Larynx (usually open) closes and forms seal over trachea, preventing food from entering/directing it towards esophagus

Breathing = soft palate lies over oral cavity (mouth). Larynx is open, sealing of the esophagus which prevents air from entering stomach

*** slide 31

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Can horses breathe through their mouthes

Difficult due to epiglottis

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The cartilages that help control airflow by pulling open when air is taken in are…

Arytenoid cartilages

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Which one, inhaling or exhaling, is an active process?

Inhaling

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Which muscle contracts to create negative pressure and draw air in

Diaphragm

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What cartilage is pulled open to allow air to pass intro trachea, bronchi and bronchioles and down to the alveoli

Arytenoid cartilage

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How would you go about physically examining the horse respiratory tract

Rhythm, rate, auscultation (character: clear?, wheeze?)
Bag the horse = deep breathing
Nasal discharge

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Technique used to diagnose respiratory disorders…

Endoscopy (tube w camera)

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Three methods used to take samples from the trachea or lower airway:

Transtracheal aspiration
Endoscopic collection of tracheal fluid
Bronchoalveolar lavage

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Bacterial infection of guttural pouch is called…

Guttural pouch empyema

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Fungal infection of the guttural pouch is called…

Guttural pouch mycosis

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How are guttural pouch infections diagnosed

One-sided nasal discharge
Radiographs of skull
Endoscopic exam of the guttural pouch

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How do you treat GP empyema?

Flush with saline + antimicrobials, administer systemic antimicrobials
Surgery

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How do you treat GP mycosis

Difficult
Surgery attempting to tie off carotid artery

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Complication/prognosis of GP mycosis?

Plaques of fungal growth may erode carotid artery = fatal hemorrhage
Often untreatable and fatal

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Prognosis/complications of GP empyema

Difficult, can be successful Long term infection = chondroids (pus)

Nerve paralysis leading to obstruction of airflow when horse takes a breath...

Laryngeal Hemiplegia (Roaring)

What does laryngeal hemiplegia mean

Larynx Hemi = half Plegia = partial paralysis

How is roaring diagnosed

Clinical signs, endoscopy of upper airway

What side does roaring affect, what happens

Left side (always), vocal cord collapses into airway

Name of the surgery that can help roaring

Tieback (holds cartilage open)

How do you treat roaring

Not always necessary Surgery (tieback + ventriculectomy)

Complications of laryngeal hemiplegia?

May increase risk of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage

Condition where soft palate interferes with function of the epiglottis

Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP)

What happens during DDSP

Soft palate displaced over top of epiglottis, affecting its function

how is DDSP diagnosed

Endoscopic exam

Does DDSP occur intermittently

Yes, but if it occurs during high intensity exercise it leads to exercise intolerance

How is DDSP treated

Tongue tying tightens soft palate Anti-inflammatories Surgery

Is DDSP serious

Not a problem is high intensity exercise not required

Complications of DDSP?

Pneumonia

Most common lung disease of horses...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) / heaves

What happens during COPD

Airways inflame, leading to thicker walls, spasms of muscles, mucous discharge Difficulty expiring = effort needed

Underlying causes of COPD?

Allergies, exposure to dust, molds, viral respiratory infection Stabled horses

Clinical signs of COPD?

Mild exercise = laboured breathing Chronic cough Nasal discharge Seasonal Heave line

How is COPD diagnosed

Clinical signs Wheezing on auscultation Endoscopy + sample collection Allergy testing

How is COPD treated

Manage environment Bronchodilators Open up airways, break up mucus, reduce inglammation

How serious is COPD? Complications?

Debilitating More susceptible to infections (pneumonia)

Horses bleeding from lungs following hard exercise are referred to as bleeders and suffer from...

Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH)

How is EIPH diagnosed

Endoscopy (blood in airways)

How is EPIH treated

Diuretic reduces bleeding, but has performance-enhancing effects Reduce feed/water on competition day

How serious is EIPH? Complications?

Decline in performance, manageable Scar tissue builds up every time it occurs More susceptible to infections / airway irritation = pneumonia

Bacterial infection of upper respiratory tract spread from horse to horse directly or by fomites

Strangles, horse distemper (viral disease - fever, coughing)

What is catarrh

Mucous

What happens during strangles

Lymph nodes become so large/inflammed = pressure leads to trouble breathing

What is a fomite

Object capable of carrying infectious organism (brushes, clothing, trailers)

What agent causes Strangles

Streptococcus equi

Clinical signs or strangles?

Fever Serious nasal discharge -> mucopurulent discharge Cough Enlarged lymph nodes

How do we diagnose strangles

Fever Abscessed lymph nodes Culture abscess material / pharyngeal wash

How do we treat strangles

Controversial Antimicrobials if febrile Encourage drainage of lymph nodes (hot packs, poultices, lance/flush w antimicrobials (penicillin)) If horse is bright no antimicrobials

How serious is strangles

Usually resolves Outbreaks can occur Can survive in environment for months Horse is infected for 6 weeks

How do you prove your horse is non infectious

3 pharyngeal washes cultured/PCR'd

What are the three major complications of strangles

Metastatic (change in position/form) abscesses 'bastard strangles' Purpura hemorrhagica (rash of purple spots) Carrier state

What is the issue with bastard strangles?

Any lymph node could be abscessed and may rupture

What is the issue with purpura hemorrhagica

Severe autoimmune rxn leading to leaky blood vessels

Clinical signs of purpura hemorrhagica caused by strangles

Edema, swelling of legs/skin/internal organs Petechial or ecchymotic hemorrhages on mucous membranes

Difference between petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages

Petechiae = red/purple dots (leaking capillaries) small Ecchymosis = occur deep within dermal layer, large

What is the issue with strangles chronic carriers?

Guttural pouch infection Repeated outbreaks

Viral respiratory disease that commonly infects young horses and is zoonotic

Influenza

Can people get equine influenza?

No? Some people have antibodies for it but no cases of illness

How is influenza spread, what is the incubation period

Aerosol 1-3 days

What are the clinical signs of equine influenza

Fever severe, deep, repetitive cough

How do we diagnose influenza

Fever/cough Blood work Nasal swab Flu antibody levels at time of illness and three weeks later

How do we treat influenza

Management (rest, avoid stress, NSAIDS)

Is influenza serious

Most serious respiratory issue Rapid spread Susceptible to compliations (secondary infections, COPD)

Respiratory disease caused by herpes virus

Rhino(nose)pneumonitis(lungs)

What does rhinopneumonitis affect

Respiratory, reproductive, neurological

Two serotypes of rhinopneumonitis

EHV-1 (respi,repro,neuro) EHV-4 (respiratory, lymph nodes)

Rhinopneumonitis is common in what age group

4-8 months

Clinical signs of rhinopneumonitis

Fever, nasal discharge, cough

How do we diagnose rhinopneumonitis

Clinical signs Antibodies

How is rhinopneumonitis treated

Management (rest, avoid stress, NSAIDS)

How serious is rhinopneumonitis? Complications?

Mild and self limiting Can cause abortion, secondary bacterial infections

The Respiratory Tract Flashcards

(81 cards)