Equine Respiratory and Endocrine Diseases

Question 1

PPID

Answer 1

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
* enlargement of pituitary gland (non-neoplastic)
* also known as Cushing’s
* see with older horses
* quarter horses commonly affected

Question 2

Anhidrosis

Answer 2

Failure to sweat
* unknown cause - may be due to overstimulated sweat glands that become desensitized

Question 3

Hirsutism

Answer 3

Excessive hair growth
* see with Cushing’s

Question 4

Cresty Neck

Answer 4

Abnormal accumulation of fat
* Cushing’s
* Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Question 5

Pneumonia

Answer 5

Infection of the lungs
* bacterial, fungal, or viral

Question 6

Shipping Fever

Answer 6

Pneumonia in adults
* seen when shipping long distances

Question 7

Pneumonia
in Foals

Answer 7

Caused by Rhodococcus equi
* endemic on farms, affects many
* abscesses in lungs
* bacteria survives in soil
* aspiration from nursing /septicemia

Question 8

Recurrent Airway Obstructions

Answer 8

Heaves / COPD / Broken Wind
* inflammation of lungs
* narrowing of lower airways when chronic
* increased mucus production
* neutrophils seen in secretions
* steroid treatment may cause laminitis

Question 9

EIPH

Answer 9

Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage
* termed “bleeders”
* occurs under strenuous exercise
* epistaxis and blood in trachea
* unknown cause - pressure related; ruptured vessels in lungs
* BAL - detect previous bleed at least 21 days prior

Question 10

BAL

Answer 10

Bronchoalveolar Lavage
* procedure to collect fluid for diagnostic testing

Question 11

Laryngeal Hemiplegia

Answer 11

Also termed “roarers”
* whistle or wheeze on inspiration during increased exercise
* occurs most often on left side