Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Retropharyngeal infections in five horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1985
- Authors:
- Todhunter, R J et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, five horses were found to have infections in the area behind their throat, which caused them to have trouble swallowing and breathing. The diagnosis was confirmed using a camera to look at their throat and X-rays. One horse improved after having the abscess drained surgically and was able to work lightly. Another horse also got better after surgery and medical treatment, while two others recovered with just medical treatment; one of these horses had its abscess burst on its own and went back to racing. Unfortunately, the fifth horse continued to have trouble swallowing and developed a condition affecting its voice box despite medical treatment.
Abstract
Five horses with retropharyngeal (RP) infections had clinical signs of dysphagia and/or dyspnea. Diagnosis was confirmed, using pharyngeal endoscopy and lateral radiography of the pharynx. One horse responded to surgical drainage of a RP abscess and was sound at light work. One horse responded to medical management after the site of infection was surgically explored. Two horses recovered after medical management; the RP abscess of 1 of these 2 horses ruptured spontaneously into the pharynx and the other horse became racing sound. The fifth horse remained dysphagic and had left laryngeal hemiplegia after medical treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4086367/