Equine laryngeal hemiplegia part II: some clinical observations

Authors: Goulden BE, Anderson LJ
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 29, Issue 11, pp 194-198, Nov 1981
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Horse, Livestock
Subject Terms: Biosecurity, Disease surveillance, Ear/nose/throat, Disease/defect, Respiratory system
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Some clinical features of laryngeal hemiplegia in 127 horses are described. Possible aetiologic factors were found in only 11% of affected animals. The onset of clinical signs was either sudden or insidious. The majority of cases were presented because of an abnormal respiratory noise made at exercise. Other clinical signs, particularly those usually attributed to Iaryngopalatal dislocation, were observed in a substantial proportion of affected animals. In all cases surveyed the left arytenoid was affected, although in 3 animals a bilateral laryngeal dysfunction was noted. Thirty of 65 animals examined with a fibreoptlc endoscope had other upper respiratory tract abnormalities in addition to abnormal arytenoid movements. Electrocardiographic examination of 45 affected horses did not reveal a significantly higher incidence of abnormalities than that observed in the racing population. The majority of haemograms taken from affected animals were also within normal limits.

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