EPIGLOTTITIS IN HORSES - 20 CASES (1988-1993)

Epiglottitis was diagnosed and treated in 20 horses (13 Thoroughbreds and 7 Standardbreds) over a 5-year period. Eighteen horses were used f or racing, and 2 Standardbreds were broodmares. Primary clinical signs were exercise intolerance, respiratory noise, and coughing. The most common endoscopic diagnosis made by referring veterinarians was epiglo ttic entrapment (11 horses). In 19 horses, endoscopic evaluation at ad mission revealed mucosal ulceration and thickening of the lingual surf ace of the epiglottis. Other endoscopic findings included dorsal displ acement of the soft palate (14 horses), and dorsal deviation oi the ep iglottic axis (11 horses). Only 1 horse had epiglottic entrapment. Tre atment consisting of start confinement for 7 to 14 days, topical admin istration of a solution of furacin, dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerin, and prednisolone, and systemic administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflamm atory drugs and corticosteroids was effective in controlling epiglotti c edema and inflammation. Antimicrobials were administered to 6 horses . Racing performance of the 18 racehorses was evaluated by examination of racing records. One horse was still convalescing at the time of th e study, and 1 horse had been euthanatized 1 week after treatment for epiglottitis because of colic. The remaining 16 horses all started at least 1 race (mean time between initial examination and start of first race, 74 days; range, 8 to 265 days). Thirteen horses started at leas t 4 races following treatment for epiglottitis; racing performance aft er treatment was the same in 8 and decreased in 5. Long-term sequelae of epiglottitis included epiglottic deformity (5 horses), intermittent or persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (4 horses), and epiglottic Entrapment (1 horse).