Equine URT Disease Cases CR

Question 1

Case one:

• Rapids:
• 16 y/o
• TBx
• Male
• 490kg
• BCS 2/5

History and presenting clinical signs:

• Acute onset of ‘severe’ bilateral epistaxis. Started one hour ago, now slowing
• Background: Retired racehorse (flat racing) subsequently used as general riding horse.
• Management: Kept at pasture with 4 other horses (normal). Vaccinated against ‘flu and influenza

1. Create a problem list
2. Classify the type of nasal discharge
3. Consider possible anatomical locations

Answer 1

Create a problem list:

• Severe bilateral epistaxis
• BCS 2/5
• Classify the type of nasal discharge:*
• Blood/haemorrhage
• Consider possible anatomical locations:*
• Ethmoid turbinates
• Guttural pouch
• Blood vessels within the lungs

Question 2

Blue:

• 12 y/o
• Warmblood
• Male
• 450kg
• BCS 1/5

History and presenting clinical signs:

• Horse seized by RSPCA for suspect neglect. Very thin and reluctant to eat.
• RSPCA have stabled horse and attempted to feed diet of gruel (stud cubes soaked in water)
• Presence of nasal reflux of food at both nostrils after eating.
• Horse depressed with increased abdominal effort of breathing and occasional coughing

1. Create a problem list
2. Classify the type of nasal discharge
3. Consider possible anatomical locations

Answer 2

Create a problem list:

• BCS 1/5
• Inappetant
• Nasal reflux of food at both nostrils after eating
• Increased abdominal effort of breathing
• Occasional coughing

Classify the type of nasal discharge:

• Discharge of/with food
• Pus?

Consider possible anatomical locations:

• Oral cavity
• Nasal cavity
• Sinuses
• Guttural pouch
• GI tract

Question 3

F92:

• 2 y/o
• Tb
• Female
• 420kg
• BCS 2

History and presenting clinical signs:

• Filly has been in race training for 3 months. Now cantering for short periods. Has been working well. Sudden reluctance to exercise. Anorexia
• Mild bilateral nasal discharge
• Background: 34 horses present on the yard, including a mixture of 2 and 3 year olds in various stages of pre-training and training.
• One other horse became depressed last week. Treated with trimethoprim-sulphadiazine (used to treat URT disease) and now recovering

1. Create a problem list
2. Classify the type of nasal discharge
3. Consider possible anatomical locations

Answer 3

Create a problem list:

• BCS 2/5
• Reluctance to exercise
• Anorexia
• Bilateral nasal discharge
• Depressed

Classify the type of nasal discharge:

• White discharge
• Crusty around nose
• Purulent?

Consider possible anatomical locations:

• Nostrils
• Guttural pouch
• Pharynx
• Trachea, lungs (LRT)