Respiratory System Clinical Signs - Pathology

Nasal discharge

• Bilateral discharge:
  • Lesion is caudal to nasal septum eg: pharyngeal lesion; LRT lesion in horses
  • Lesion has resulted in nasal septum destruction
    • Neoplasia
    • Fungal infection
• Unilateral discharge:
  • Lesion is cranial to nasal septum eg: nasal or sinus lesion; pharyngeal or guttural pouch lesion in horses.
• Type of discharge
  • Serous
  • Catarrhal
  • Purrulent
  • Haemorrhage

Sneezing

• Nasal

Facial swelling

• Nasal
• Pharyngeal

Pain

• Any location

Coughing

• Pharynx
• Larynx
• Trachea

Dyspnoea/altered air flow

• Respiratory noise

Dysphagia

• Horses
  • Gastrointestinal tract
    • Oesophageal obstruction
  • Respiratory tract
    • Retropharyngeal abscesses e.g. strangles
    • Other retropharyngeal masses
    • Pharyngeal foreign body
    • Pharyngeal paralysis
  • Neurological
    • Guttural pouch mycosis
    • Equine grass sickness
    • Botulism
    • Lead poisoning
• Cleft palate
• Dummy foal

• Equine respiratory disease by clinical signs
  • Contains pictures and videos
  • From Equine Respiratory Diseases edited by P. Lekeux, published by the International Veterinary Information Service (IVIS)
  • Requires IVIS membership