Permanent tracheostomy in Equidae: 47 cases (1981-1986).

Abstract

Between 1981 and 1986, permanent tracheostomy was performed in 46 ponies and 1 adult Quarter Horse. Tracheostomies of 19 ponies and the horse were examined in June 1986 and evaluated for vertical length of stomal orifice (mean = 25.0 +/- 4.7 mm in the ponies and 55 mm in the horse), degree of tracheal obstruction (0/20), regrowth and apposition of epidermis (3/20), and whether or not stomal airflow occurred with nasal occlusion (20/20). In addition, the animals were evaluated to determine whether dyspnea developed during exercise. Records of 27 ponies were evaluated. Six of the 27 were not dyspneic with exercise at their last routine physical examination. Twenty-one ponies had died or had been euthanatized, but only 5 of these deaths were attributed to complications associated with the respiratory tract; 3 ponies had collapsing tracheas and 2 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The permanent tracheostomy technique provided a functional and cosmetic airway and was associated with a low rate of complications.