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SPONSORED BY ASK A VET How do I care for a horse with chronic nasal discharge? Chronic nasal discharge can be a very frustrating clinical symptom for both horse and owner. Chronic nasal discharge can be associated with a primary sinus infection, Guttural Pouch Infection, infected teeth, ethmoid hematomas, rhinitis (infection or inflammation of the nasal passages) and, on rare occasions, tumors affecting the upper respiratory tract. Diagnostics may include a physical exam, dental exam, upper respiratory endoscopy, radiographs of the head and, when indicated, a CT scan or MRI of the head. During the physical exam the veterinarian may purcuss the sinuses to determine if fluid is present. The patency of the nasal passages also can be ascertained by placing your hands by both nostrils and assessing if the adequate airflow is present. If decreased airflow is present in both nostrils or asymmetrical airflow is noted, then there probably is an obstructive disorder causing the nasal discharge. Upper airway endoscopy is used to aid in the visualization of the nasal passages (rhinoscopy), ethmoid turbinates, guttural pouches (similar to the human Eustachian tube), and communication of the sinuses to the nasal passage and the throat. Diagnostic imaging, which consists of skull radiographs, MRI, or CT can be used to document sinus infections, tooth root infections, or a mass in the sinus cavity. Treatment for chronic nasal discharge will be tailored to the diagnosis. With sinus infections, for example, sometimes systemic antibiotics are adequate for complete resolution. If complete resolution is not achieved with systemic antibiotics, the sinuses may have to be lavaged and infused with antibiotics to aid in its resolution. With severe sinus infections associated with a mass, a surgical procedure will be needed to remove the mass and remove any abnormal tissue in the affected sinuses. Guttural pouch infections at times can be difficult to treat with systemic antimicrobials and require lavages and infusion with antimicrobials or at times antifungals. Nasal discharge associated with an infected tooth may respond to systemic antimicrobials. If the use of the systemic antimicrobials does not resolve the tooth infection, then removal of the affected tooth or teeth may be necessary. Ethmoid hematomas are a benign tissue growth involving the ethmoid turbinates that requires aggressive medical therapy (injection with formalin) or surgical intervention (surgical removal or laser ablation). Nathan Marc Slovis, D.V.M [email protected] Nathan Slovis is the director of the McGee Medical and Critical Care Center at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington. He is a native of Annapolis, Mar yland. Slovis received his Bachelor of Science from Radford University, Doctor of Veterinar y Medicine from Purdue University, interned at Arizona Equine Center, and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California-Davis. Slovis has published articles in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Equine Veterinary Journal, and Clinical Techniques in Equine Practice. He also implemented the current Infectious Disease and Equine Emergency Response Programs at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and holds the position of Infectious Disease Officer and Equine Emergency Response Director. Submit a question for the veterinary staff at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Click here to submit. With the highest level of HA (240mg/oz) on the market, at the lowest cost per dose. Visit our online store for details! Hagyard Flex-tra HA • Healthy Joints • Healthy Horses www.hagyardpharmacy.com Supplements + Dewormers/Vaccinations + Hoof Care AROUND THE TRACKS® Del Mar Blue Chagall (Fr) (Testa Rossa) will try to win the $85,000 Wickerr Stakes for a second straight year when the six-yearold gelding breaks from the inside post today in the one-mile turf race for three-year-olds and older. While Blue Chagall has not registered a win in seven starts in Southern California this season, he did finish second in the Arcadia Stakes (G2) on April 9 at Santa Anita. He enters off a fourth-place finish in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1) on July 2 at Hollywood Park. Thistledown Jockey Federico Mata added a couple of wins on Monday, the last day of the combined Summit/Thistledown meet, to clinch his first Thistledown riding title, finishing with 51 wins from 231 mounts. Jockey Luis Gonzalez won six of the www.thoroughbredtimes.com meet’s seven stakes races. Trainer Jamie Ness finished the combined meet with 32 winners from 57 starters, an astonishing 56.1% win rate in easily securing the training title. The meet’s leading owner with 32 wins from 57 starters was Richard Papiese’s Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc., Ness’ principal client. The meet’s top horse by wins was Who’s Counting (Crafty Prospector), owned by Midwest Thoroughbreds and trained by Ness. The chestnut mare started six races during the Summit/Thistledown meet, winning five times and finishing third once. The combined Summit/Thistledown meet ran from April 23 through July 25. The combined Randall/Cranwood meet begins when racing resumes today and continues through closing day of the Thistledown racing season on November 5. Thoroughbred Times TODAY July 27, 2011 4