Spotlight case: “Wheezy Breezy”
Meet ‘Breeze’, or ‘Wheezy Breezy’ as she was affectionately referred to during her stay. A young Stationbred filly who presented to our Equine Hospital earlier this year after increasing severity of respiratory noise during exercise. Breeze is a very much-loved member of her family, and her owners were anxious to find the cause of her wheeziness.
Our colleagues at The Veterinary Centre Oamaru and Scott O’Malley Horsemanship referred Breeze to our hospital following the progression of her respiratory distress with no obvious cause detected.
Upon admission to RVC Equine Hospital, a thorough respiratory work-up was performed, including a physical examination, re-breathing bag examination, upper airway endoscopy, laryngeal ultrasound and upper airway radiography.
The physical exam showed that she had general swelling in her throat region, and increased breathing effort on inspiration.
An endoscopic examination (a camera placed up the nostril to view the larynx on the inside) showed that ‘Breeze’ was unable to open her airway (larynx) which caused the soft tissues in front of her larynx to collapse. This resulted in almost complete obstruction of the airway when she breathed in.
At this stage the cause of her larynx not opening was not obvious. We then proceeded to ultrasound and radiography of the larynx. To our surprise a thin piece of wire measuring nearly 8cm long was found embedded between the laryngeal cartilages on the right side!
This explained why she couldn’t open her larynx…..the swelling from infection around the larynx was causing it to be compressed.
‘Breeze’ underwent a temporary tracheotomy which involves placing a tube into the trachea so her breathing could bypass the narrowed larynx. Following this, a surgery was planned to localize and remove the piece of wire and re-establish an enlarged airway.
Our surgery team performed a partial arytenoidectomy. This not only allowed us to identify and remove the wire, but also ensured a long-term airway by removing the infected cartilages of the right side of the larynx. Breeze came through the procedure well, and spent a week in hospital where she received intensive post-operative care.
X-ray showing the thin piece of wire embedded between the laryngeal cartilages on the right side.
The thin piece of wire after it had been surgically removed.
On closer inspection of the high tensile wire, we determined with the owners, that it most likely came from a car tyre in her paddock that was used to keep the feed bins upright. Breeze is very playful and had been seen throwing the tyre around. We suspect that it may have become lodged when she swallowed it.
Breeze post-surgery with her owners.
Post-surgery recovery
Breeze recently returned with her owners for a 4 week post-surgery check-up. Breeze was very happy, no wheezing heard, and all surgery sites had healed well, which was a welcomed reward for her owners hard work and perseverance!
Breezes long-term prognosis is very good and she is due to resume being broken-in in the following months. We look forward to hearing about her future endeavors.
Breeze received lots of care at the RVC Equine Hospital.
Breeze made a full recovery, which was a welcome reward for her owners’ hard-work and perseverance!