Equine Respiratory System Evaluation

Question 1

What is the pulmonary alveolar pressure in a horse at rest vs. during exercise?

Answer 1

At rest :25-30mmHg

Exercise: 125mmHg

Question 2

What is the pressure in the brochial system in a horse at rest vs. during exercise?

Answer 2

At rest: 100mmHg

Exercise: 220mmHg

Question 3

What is the O2 tension of a horse at rest vs. during exercise?

Answer 3

At rest: 100mmHg

Exercise: 65-70mmHg

Question 4

What does thoracic percussion allot you to determine?

Answer 4

Any structures in the thoracic cavity

Question 5

What 3 things can help you evaluate respiratory dz?

Answer 5

PE
Blood work (CBC, chem)
Blood gases

Question 6

Define upper and lower respiratory tract.

Answer 6

URT = Extrathoracic
LRT = Intrathoracic

Question 7

What is endoscopy most notably used to evaluate?

Answer 7

URT

Question 8

In an equine patient, US is not great for lung pathology, unless…

Answer 8

It’s very superficial

NOTE: Thoracic US is better for cardiac or thoracic dz in horses

Question 9

What is another imaging method to evaluate respiratory dz?

Answer 9

Nuclear scintigraphy (can inhale tagged gas, inject tagged gas or tag own neuts and re-inject them to go to site of inflammation)

Question 10

What are 5 diagnostic procedures you can use to evaluate the respiratory system?

Answer 10

TTW
BAL
Thoracocentesis
Lung aspirate
Lung Biopsy

Question 11

What 4 categories can you use to help limit your ddx?

Answer 11

Upper vs. Lower

Infectious vs. Non-Infectious