Airway Testing
Subtle changes in a horse’s airway function can mean the difference in the final moments of a race or jump-off. Issues affecting equine lung function have a variety of terms, such as heaves, recurrent airway obstruction, inflammatory airway disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. All of these can be grouped into a general category of “Equine Asthma”, and while non-curable, these are conditions which respond well to treatment.
Better Breathing, Better Performance
Horse owners or trainers may notice classic symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough or nasal discharge, however other more subtle symptoms often go undetected. To assess how airway changes are affecting performance issues, at Burke Equine Therapy we utilize both the classic airway imaging techniques and more advanced testing technologies, including:
- SAA blood test to rule out infection.
- Endoscopy to identify mucus in the trachea and rule out upper airway concerns.
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) cytology to identify inflammation deep within the horse’s lungs on the farm. Dr. Burke works closely with the Equine Respiratory Health Lab at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine to diagnose and treat lung function abnormalities.