Respiratory Endoscopy
Advanced Diagnostics for Equine Athletes
At Cave Creek Equine™ Sports Medicine & Surgery, we use respiratory endoscopy to evaluate the upper airway and diagnose conditions that may affect your horse’s breathing, comfort, and performance. Whether performed at rest (static) or during exercise (dynamic), this minimally invasive procedure allows our specialists to directly visualize airway structures and identify issues that may not be detectable through physical exams or imaging alone.
What is Respiratory Endoscopy?
Respiratory endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic technique that allows veterinarians to visualize and evaluate the structures of a horse’s upper airway using a thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera and light source. This tool is essential for identifying causes of poor performance, abnormal respiratory noise, coughing, or nasal discharge in equine athletes.
We offer both static and dynamic endoscopy to assess respiratory function under various conditions:
- Static Endoscopy is performed while the horse is standing and at rest. It allows us to examine the nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, and trachea for structural abnormalities, inflammation, or obstructions.
- Dynamic Endoscopy is performed while the horse is exercising under saddle or on a treadmill. It provides real-time visualization of the airway during work, making it the gold standard for diagnosing dynamic airway disorders that only appear under the stress of exercise.
When Do We Recommend Respiratory Endoscopy?
Respiratory endoscopy is commonly recommended when a horse exhibits:
- Unexplained poor performance
- Abnormal breathing sounds (such as roaring or gurgling) during exercise
- Chronic nasal discharge or coughing
- History of airway inflammation or previous respiratory surgery
- A need for surgical planning or follow-up evaluation
In performance horses, even subtle respiratory issues can affect stamina, speed, and overall success in competition. Early identification through endoscopy can prevent long-term damage and support a faster return to peak performance.
What Are the Benefits?
- Accurate, early diagnosis of upper airway conditions, including laryngeal hemiplegia, dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), epiglottic entrapment, and more
- Real-time assessment during exercise with dynamic endoscopy to detect intermittent or exertional airway collapse
- Targeted treatment plans—from medical management to corrective surgery
- Surgical planning and guidance—endoscopy plays a vital role in confirming diagnoses and planning upper airway procedures, including laser surgeries and tie-backs
- Post-surgical monitoring to evaluate healing and treatment effectiveness
Whether your horse is an elite competitor or in active training, respiratory endoscopy can offer crucial insights to restore and optimize performance.
For more information or to schedule a visit with a sports medicine specialist, please contact us at 623-581-5508.
