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| Endoscopy |
An endoscope consists of a small camera on the end of a flexible tube. The end of the tube can be manoeuvred in different directions by controls on the handpiece. The endoscope is most frequently used for examining the horse’s respiratory tract and we have several different length scopes to examine the different parts of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
An endoscopic view of a paralysed larynx (left laryngeal hemiplegia)
The shorter endoscope is used to examine the upper respiratory tract such as the larynx, pharynx, gutteral pouches and sinuses. It has the advantage of being a small diameter and so is resented less by the horse.
We use the longer endoscopes for examining the trachea (windpipe) and entrance to the lungs. This is particularly useful in lower respiratory tract infections and hypersensitivities (COPD). A sample of fluid from the affected areas can be taken via passing a narrow catheter down a channel in the endoscope and subsequently analysed. This is particularly useful for assessing the severity of the problem as well as the response to treatment. |
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