Nasal Discharge
One of the key considerations in horses with a nasal discharge is how many nostrils it is coming out of. Horses may have nasal discharge from a single nostril that is when they have an abscessed tooth or a sinus infection (very putrid smelling) or a mass/cyst up one nostril. Those involving both nostrils are usually due to more generalised respiratory conditions such as COPD and viral infections. Horses with strangles have a thick yellow nasal discharge from both nostrils and the horse is usually quite ill. Horses with a nasal discharge require a thorough physical examination including listening to the chest with a stethoscope and checking the teeth in cases of a one sided discharge. Treatment may be initiated at this time, however, blood tests, endoscopy (looking down nasal passages and trachea and into the lungs), x-rays of the head and sampling fluid from the lungs (e.g.tracheal wash) may all be required to find a diagnosis and assess treatment options.