• GASTROSCOPY

  • Advances in technology allows us to perform extensive testing in the field that in years past would’ve required a trip to a specialty equine practice. Our equine veterinarians are highly trained and proficient in performing gastroscopy. Gastroscopy allows your 3H vet to pass a video camera up your horse’s nose, through the pharynx, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. Your vet is able to evaluate all structures on the way down looking for any issues or abnormalities. Once in the stomach, the camera moves around to evaluate all surfaces and into the pylorus to search out for ulcers. While in the stomach, your vet can also retrieve a sample of gastric juice to measure the PH. This can help determine if your horse need specific medication to decrease the acid levels and therefore lowering the risk for developing ulcers. 

  • Many owners don’t correlate some of the warning signs to gastric ulcers. You should talk to your vet if you notice that your horse is displaying any of the following symptoms: 

    • Performance decline

    • Poor appetite

    • Back soreness

    • Weight loss

    • Recurrent colic

    • Attitude changes

    • Lackluster coat

    • Gastroscopy is available both in the 3H clinic and out in the field.

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• UPPER AIRWAY

  • If you notice that your horse is breathing harder or louder than normal, your vet may recommend an upper airway exam with scoping. Like in dogs, some horse’s develop laryngeal paralysis, also called “Roaring”. This happens when the flaps that open and close around the trachea become paralyzed and the larynx block the opening to the airways. This can cause your horse to wheeze or breathe heavier. Using the upper airway scope, your vet can evaluate your horse’s respiratory tract, nose, and larynx.

  • Horses over the age of 6 years can also develop respiratory issues that is due to allergies. Known as heaves or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), heaves effect the lungs by causing the tissue to constrict, eventually obstructing the airway. Most owners will typically first call out their vet because they notice that their horse has developed a cough or that their horse has a tough time bringing their respiration rate and effort down after exercise. Using the upper airway scope your vet can collect fluid samples in a procedure called a BAL,  or bronchoalveolar lavage, which collect cells from the fluid in the respiratory tract and can rule out heaves.

  • Strong, clear upper airways are key to performance and general well-being. Your 3H Vet can diagnose your horse’s ailment and design a treatment plan to get them back to feeling their best.

  • Symptoms of upper airway disease include:

    • Shortness of breath

    • Respiratory noise while exercising

    • Intermittent bleeding from the nose

    • Persistent nasal discharge

    • A thorough evaluation is the right course of action.