Unilateral and bilateral
compression of the epiglottis during poll flexion in harness racehorses
RUNNING TITLE: Epiglottic compression in harness racehorses
Hanna Vermedal1 | John Mark
O’Leary2 | Anna Emilie
Klemsdal1 | Gina Margrete
Roen1 | Zoe Fretheim-Kelly1| Eric Strand1
1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University
of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway2School of Veterinary Medicine, University College
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Correspondence: Hanna Vermedal. Email:hannaver@hotmail.com.
Keywords: horse, upper airway, respiratory, epiglottis, harness
racehorse.
Clinical relevance:
- This manuscript describes a novel exercise-induced upper respiratory
tract (URT) disorder occurring during periods of induced poll flexion
in harness racehorses; unilateral and bilateral compression of the
epiglottis during poll flexion. Horses affected by this disorder
presented with signs of abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor
performance.
- This manuscript describes a novel exercise-induced URT disorder
involving the epiglottis, not previously described in any horse breed
or disciplines.
- The pathophysiology likely involves inward compression of the
epiglottis from the hyoid apparatus, in the area of thyrohyoid bone
and thyroid cartilage articulation, as the larynx and hyoid apparatus
advances rostrally during poll flexion.
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