DRS is here!
The Dynamic Respiratory Endoscope (DRS) is used for investigation of abnormal respiratory noises and for the investigation of poor performance in the equine athlete. The system has been used in all types of horse from thoroughbred racehorse to eventer, show jumper, dressage horse or pleasure horse.
Advantages of the DRS Resting endoscopy has previously been used for diagnosis of upper respiratory tract abnormalities, however results at rest can be unreliable. Exercising endoscopy is often necessary to allow accurate assessment of the airway anatomy and function. Previously this was done by exercising the horse on a treadmill with its associated time, costs, risks and stress to the horse involved. The DRS allows exercising visualisation of the airways, whilst the horse undertakes normal exercise in its normal environment with the usual jockey.
How does it work? The scope is passed into the pharynx in the usual way and attached to the bridle. The video is recorded on the jockey and is also visualised by the vet real time as the horse exercises. The recording is downloaded to the computer after exercise and assessed by our specialists frame by frame and in slow motion. The exercise is tracked by GPS to see how the speed of the horse changes in relation to the changes of the upper respiratory tract.
Poor performance of the equine athlete can often be multifactorial, however abnormalities of the upper respiratory tract can account for a significant proportion of these cases. A complete range of diagnostic testing for poor performance including telemetric exercising ECG. full lameness evaluation (including gamma camera scintigraphy, digital radiography and ultrasound), blood testing (e.g. haematology, biochemistry, muscle enzymes), tracheal wash (cytology and culture), upper and lower airway endsocopy and gastroscopy are also available at NEH.
If you would like to investigate a case of poor performance or scope either an individual or group of horses with the DRS please contact us at NEH for more details.