Equine collapse frequently presents a diagnostic challenge for veterinarians, and many cases go unsolv

Equine collapse frequently presents a diagnostic challenge for veterinarians, and many cases go unsolved. However, in some cases practitioners can pinpoint the definitive cause and treat the horse accordingly. In the first instance, the practitioner may be presented with a situation that requires emergency care to stabilize the horse. Emergency temporary tracheotomy is often required to stabilise the horse prior to investigating the aetiology and managing the underlying cause. Extreme care must be taken to avoid further stress. Sedation should be avoided if safety permits. If the horse collapses, a patent airway may be more readily achieved by insertion of an orotracheal tube than tracheotomy. Insertion of a tracheostomy tube should immediately abolish the stridor and relieve respiratory distress. If respiratory distress continues, secondary pulmonary oedema/haemorrhage in special EIPH or airway obstruction distal to the tracheostomy should be considered. Airway oedema may warrant administration of dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg IV) or epinephrine (3-10ml of 1:1000 epinephrine /450 kg IV, IM or SC). Elevation of the head is important to alleviate oedema and congestion. All manifestations of EIPH other tan epistaxis, including acute/sudden death due to EIPH, require scientific tools and expertise to identify as being EIPH related. Acute/sudden death during racing due to EIPH occur when the hemorrhage is sufficiently voluminous to acutely interfere with respiration/blood oxygenation, such that the horse collapses and dies acutely on the racetrack. Some experiences at La Rinconada Racetrack, Caracas-Venezuela, in a retrospective study clinical, toxicological, necropsy and histopathology of the causes of sudden death associated with EIPH in a team work with Dr. K. Brewer and Dr. Thomas Tobin. This horse collapsed in a race of 2400mts, with signs of fatigue in the final 300mts. (full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBYDEg5Ppnw.  In spite of the immediate attention the horse died, a severe pulmonary hemorrhage was observed (EIPH).