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Video-Endoscopy
We are equipped with a video-endoscope. Video-endoscopes are the next generation of endoscope and are far more advanced than the old fiberoptic endoscopes. They provide superb images which can be recorded on video and stored on computer.
Upper Respiratory Tract.
Two things are required of an equine athlete: soundness of the limbs and soundness of the breathing apparatus. Upper airway endoscopy is the only accurate way to assess airway function. A thin one meter long video-endoscope is passed up one nostril and allows us to visualize the nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx, guttural pouches, larynx, soft palate, and trachea. By looking into the patient’s upper respiratory tract we can evaluate functional anatomy. We can also determine the presence of tissue inflammation or infectious disease. If indicated we can also pass probes through the endoscope to retrieve samples for culture, cytology, or biopsy.
Dorsal displacement of the soft palate, entrapment of the epiglottis, subepiglottal cysts, guttural pouch disease, paralysis of the arytenoids (“roaring”), lymphoid hyperplasia, exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (“Bleeders”), and infection within the trachea can easily be seen. Videos or still pictures can be taken for further review or comparison at a later date. Signs of airway inflammation or disease can vary from very subtle (exercise intolerance) to very obvious (nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing). If you are concerned that your horse shows any of the aforementioned signs, contact us for advice and an examination.
Urinary Tract.
Urinary difficulties can present as bloody urine, straining to urinate, or frequent urinations. After performing a urinalysis and looking at urine under a microscope in the lab, it may be determined to look into the bladder of the patient. Urethral and ladder endoscopy (Cystoscopy) can be performed using the thin 1 meter flexible video-endoscope. Lesions within the urethra (“jet lesions”), tumours of the urinary tract, and stones within the bladder (uroliths) may be visualized with the endoscope. Videos or still pictures can be taken to record findings or for comparison after treatment.
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