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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Nostril blockage and surgery in young miniature horses

By Vlaminck, Lieven et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2021·Department of Large Animal Surgery·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Idiopathic Primary Sino-Nasal Obstruction in Miniature Horse Breeds: Long-Term Follow-Up of Seven Cases.

Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

Seven young miniature horses were brought in with breathing problems, specifically decreased airflow from their nostrils and nasal discharge. After thorough examinations, they were diagnosed with a condition causing blockage in their nasal passages. To treat this, veterinarians performed surgery to create a new airway and placed tubes to keep it open. Most of the horses showed significant improvement and had a good cosmetic appearance after about 19 months, although some had issues with the tubes coming loose.

People also search for: miniature horse breathing problems · nasal discharge in horses · horse surgery for nasal blockage

Abstract

Idiopathic sino-nasal obstruction resulting in retention of large amounts of liquid in the paranasal sinus compartments was diagnosed in seven young (2. 2 ± 0.7 years) miniature-breed horses based on clinical, endoscopic, radiographic, and CT scan examinations. The most prevalent clinical signs included decreased or no airflow from the nostril(s) (7/7) and nasal discharge (6/7). The problem presented bilaterally in six of seven cases. An alternative sino-nasal communication was created through bone flap osteotomy surgery and perforation of the ventromedial floor of the dorsal conchae in all cases, followed by fixation of silicone irrigation tubes/Foley catheters in six of seven cases to keep the newly created ostium patent. This resulted in long-term resolution of the problem with good cosmetic appearance in all animals following a median period of 19 months. Premature loss of fixed tubes was reported in three cases.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34295933/