Evaluation of cytokine mRNA expression in bronchoalveolar lavage cells from horses with inflammatory airway disease.

Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is a common disorder of performance horses and is associated with poor performance and accumulation of mucus and inflammatory cells in lower airway secretions. Horses with IAD frequently have increased relative counts of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); less commonly relative counts of eosinophils and/or mast cells may be increased. The aetiopathogenesis of IAD is unknown and may involve innate and/or acquired immune responses to various factors including respirable dust constituents, micro-organisms, noxious gases and unconditioned air.

Effect of head position on radiographic assessment of laryngeal tie-forward procedure in horses.

Objective: To assess the effect of head position on relative position of the larynx and hyoid apparatus in horses with palatal dysfunction, and to define a standard position for radiographic assessment of laryngeal tie-forward.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: Adult horses (n=9) with palatal dysfunction.