Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate associated with epiglottic shortening in two horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1981
- Authors:
- Haynes, P F
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Two Thoroughbred horses were found to have a condition called persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate, which means that the soft palate was not positioned correctly in their throats. This issue was linked to a shorter-than-normal epiglottis, which is a flap that helps keep the airway open during breathing. The horses were examined because they were having trouble exercising and were making unusual noises when they worked hard. Although surgery was performed to try to fix the problem, it did not significantly help improve their ability to exercise.
Abstract
Persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate was diagnosed in 2 Thoroughbred horses examined because of decreased exercise tolerance and a respiratory noise during strenuous exercise. The persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate was caused by an epiglottis that was approximately 2/3 normal size, and thus was incapable of maintaining the soft palate in a normal subepiglottic position. Contrast pharyngography suggested a primary epiglottic abnormality. Visual assessment of the lesion was accomplished by exploratory ventral laryngotomy and endoscopy of the oropharynx per os. Surgical intervention did not appreciably improve exercise capacity.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7341580/