Respiratory emergencies in adult horses

Dunkel, B

Abstract

Although respiratory distress is encountered infrequently in equine practice, it can be serious and potentially fatal, requiring immediate and decisive intervention. History and physical examination can often give sufficient clues to identify the cause of respiratory distress and initiate emergency treatment. Ultrasonography can also be invaluable when assessing distress caused by lower respiratory tract issues. Upper respiratory tract obstruction, tension pneumothorax and occasionally pulmonary oedema can be rapidly fatal and require immediate intervention by emergency tracheotomy, thoracocentesis and evacuation of pleural air or administration of furosemide and oxygen, if available. Acute severe asthma and substantial pleural effusion are often not an immediate threat to life but nonetheless require fast intervention including administration of bronchodilators and corticosteroids or pleurocentesis, respectively.

Citation

Dunkel, B. (2024). Respiratory emergencies in adult horses. Equine Veterinary Education, https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13976

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Mar 13, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Apr 8, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 16, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 16, 2024
• Print ISSN: 0957-7734
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13976
• Keywords: horse; pleural effusion; pleuropneumonia; pneumothorax; pulmonary oedema; severe asthma; tracheostomy; HYDROSTATIC PULMONARY-EDEMA; LARYNGEAL PARALYSIS; BLOOD-GAS; COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY; ARTERIAL-BLOOD; SYRINGE TYPE; PNEUMOTHORAX; EFFICACY; STORAGE; TEMPERA