Clinicians in the College have long used endoscopy to examine horses’ larynxes and upper respiratory systems to diagnose various illnesses and conditions. Still, if a symptom only occurred during exertion, the horse had to be put on a giant treadmill with the endoscope inserted in an attempt to simulate the problem. In 2017, the College acquired a new dynamic respiratory endoscope, which allows endoscopy to be performed while the horse is being exercised or trained under natural conditions.
“With this new unit, we can put the horse under saddle and evaluate the airway under the specific conditions that caused the problem,” says Dr. Marc Kinsley, assistant professor for the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. “We use it on all disciplines of horses—race horses, dressage, any type.”
The dynamic unit is similar in size to a traditional endoscope, but is self-contained. The flexible tube of the scope attaches to the horse’s halter, which holds the scope in place. The other end of the scope attaches to components in the saddle pad that transmit video of the airway via Bluetooth technology to a monitoring screen and recording unit about the size of a small shoulder bag. This allows a veterinarian to see what’s happening in the airway in real-time and also go back and rewatch the video
“It’s very exciting to have this equipment. It allows us to collaborate with local veterinarians and provide more advanced care to our patients and horse owners.”
The portability of the dynamic scope allows clinicians to take into account all the external factors that may be affecting a horse’s respiratory function, including the influence of the ground, rider, reins, etc.
“It’s very exciting to have this equipment,” Kinsley says. “A number of veterinary schools have invested in this technology, and realize that local practitioners may not have it. It allows us to collaborate with local veterinarians and provide more advanced care to our patients and horse owners.”