Endoscopy in horses allows a view into various body cavities not visible from the outside. In bronchoscopy, the airways are examined.
If your horse's respiratory problem has not significantly improved within this period despite treatment, we are already talking about a CHRONIC respiratory problem. This does not mean that the condition is no longer curable, but rather that additional measures will most likely need to be taken to bring about recovery.
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is an examination method used in horses to check the condition of the lungs and airways. This examination is non-invasive and is usually carried out on an outpatient basis.
During bronchoscopy, a thin, flexible endoscope is inserted through the horse's nostrils and carefully guided into the lungs. The endoscope contains a camera that transmits images of the horse's airways to a screen. This allows the vet to identify changes, such as inflammation, narrowing, or injuries, in the horse's airways.
Bronchoscopy is an important diagnostic method used in horses with respiratory problems or chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD. The examination can diagnose the causes of the respiratory problems and a suitable treatment plan can be created.
Using the results of these examinations, an individual therapy plan can be created for the horse. If the findings indicate an infection, treatment with antibiotics is usually carried out. In many cases, inhalation has proven to be the most effective therapeutic option. This involves administering the necessary active ingredients directly into the lungs via an nebuliser. Because the medications reach their site of action directly, the required drug dose is significantly lower and acts faster and more effectively.
Should your horse suffer from long-term respiratory problems (coughing, laboured breathing, reduced performance), either permanently or recurring. If your horse has breathing problems or you have concerns about its respiratory health, a bronchoscopy is the diagnostic tool of choice to help guide further therapeutic decisions. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious health issues.
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