Epistaxis - Horse

Introduction

Epistaxis is the presence of blood at the external nares. It is not a disease alone and there are many underlying conditions that cause this clinical sign. There are many causes of epistaxis, which fall into various categories. Below is a comprehensive list of all causes of epistaxis.

Respiratory Tract

Nasal aspergillosis

Ethmoidal haematoma

Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage

Rupture of rectus capitus

Mycotic infection of guttural pouches

Nasolacrimal haemorrhage

Nasal/ pharyngeal trauma

Nasal/ pharyngeal foreign body

Sinus neoplasia

Sinus cyst

Sinusitis

Lower airway disease

Pulmonary neoplasia.

Cardiac

Mitral insufficiency

Atrial fibrillation

Skeletal

Head trauma, such as rupture of the longis captis muscle or the rectus capitus, or a basihyoid fracture can all cause epistaxis.

Clinical Signs

Depending on the disease, the clinical signs will involve epistaxis +/- other signs related to the condition.

Diagnosis

Need to find the underlying cause, by various methods such as endoscopy, radiographs and a full physical exam at rest and at exercise. Other clinical signs such as the characteristics of nasal discharge and any asymmetry of the face are key clinical signs. History is important in diagnosis, such as if there is any history of trauma.

Treatment and Control

To treat epistaxis, one will need to find the underlying cause and treat this.

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