Comparison of dynamic and resting endoscopy of the upper portion of the respiratory tract in 57 Thoroughbred yearlings.
Abstract: Endoscopic examination of Thoroughbred (TB) yearlings is performed routinely to determine the suitability of horses for racing and to ensure that the conditions of sale are satisfied. However, previous research has demonstrated that resting endoscopic examination can be inaccurate in the diagnosis of functional pathology of the upper portion of the respiratory tract (URT). Objective: To investigate the feasibility of performing dynamic overground endoscopy in a group of TB yearlings and to compare the results of resting and dynamic endoscopic examination of the URT. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Resting (pre- and post exercise) and exercising endoscopy was performed on 57 TB yearlings at a single training yard. Observed abnormalities were recorded and graded. The results of resting and dynamic examination were compared. Results: Dynamic overground endoscopy was well tolerated and was performed with few complications. Laryngeal asymmetry (29 cases) was the most common abnormality identified at rest, while intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (IDDSP; 19 cases) was the most common at exercise. Significant variation in laryngeal function and variation in the occurrence of IDDSP was noted between examinations. Other potentially significant pathology that was not noted at rest but was present during exercise included collapse of the apex of the corniculate process, pharyngeal collapse and cricotracheal ligament collapse. The occurrence of IDDSP at exercise was significantly associated with epiglottic structure grade>2 and a recent history of respiratory tract infection. Conclusions: Dynamic overground endoscopy is safe and potentially useful when assessing URT function in TB yearlings. Significant variations in the results of endoscopy at rest and during exercise were identified, which indicate that resting endoscopy may not be sufficient to predict the occurrence of pathology during exercise. Conclusions: Dynamic overground endoscopic examination could be considered a suitable means of assessing URT function in TB yearlings and may provide additional pertinent information to that obtained during standard resting examination.
© 2013 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013-03-21 PubMed ID: 23521159DOI: 10.1111/evj.12061Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Study
- Comparative Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Endoscopy
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Exercise
- Horses
- Laryngeal Dysfunction
- Observational Study
- Pathology
- Prospective Study
- Respiratory Disease
- Respiratory Health
- Thoroughbreds
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Yearlings
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research investigates the effectiveness of dynamic overground endoscopy, compared to resting endoscopy, in diagnosing respiratory abnormalities in Thoroughbred yearling horses. It suggests that dynamic endoscopy, which is done during exercise, could reveal important pathology not visible in resting examinations.
Research Methodology
- The researchers employed a prospective cohort study design. Under this setup, they performed resting (before and after exercise) as well as dynamic endoscopy on a group of 57 Thoroughbred yearling horses at a single training yard.
- Different abnormalities seen were noted and given a rating.
- The results derived from resting examinations were then compared with those of the dynamic examinations to determine the efficacy of the two.
Findings of the Research
- The research discovered that dynamic overground endoscopy was generally well received by the horses and was carried out with minimal complications.
- The most common abnormality detected during resting condition was laryngeal asymmetry, observed in 29 cases, whereas during exercise, intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate was the most frequently observed abnormality in 19 cases.
- Significant inconsistencies were noted in function of the larynx, as well as variation in occurrence of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate across different examinations.
- The research also found that some potentially significant pathologies were not detected during rest but were observable during exercise. These included the collapse of the apex of the corniculate process, pharyngeal collapse, and collapse of the cricotracheal ligament.
- The presence of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate during exercise was found to be notably associated with an epiglottic structure grade greater than 2 and a recent history of respiratory tract infections.
Conclusions Drawn from the Research
- The researchers concluded that dynamic overground endoscopy is safe and potentially useful for assessing upper respiratory tract function in Thoroughbred yearlings.
- They observed significant variations between the results obtained from resting and dynamic endoscopy, indicating that resting endoscopy alone may not be enough to predict pathological occurrences during exercise.
- Therefore, they suggest considering dynamic overground endoscopic examination as a suitable method of evaluating upper respiratory tract function in Thoroughbred yearlings. This could provide supplemental valuable information not visible during traditional resting examinations.
Cite This Article
APA
Kelly PG, Reardon RJ, Johnston MS, Pollock PJ.
(2013).
Comparison of dynamic and resting endoscopy of the upper portion of the respiratory tract in 57 Thoroughbred yearlings.
Equine Vet J, 45(6), 700-704.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12061 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Weipers Centre for Equine Welfare, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Cohort Studies
- Endoscopy / veterinary
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Nasopharynx / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / diagnosis
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / veterinary
- Vocal Cord Dysfunction / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Hardwick JL, Ahern BJ, Crawford KL, Allen KJ, Anderson BH, Rose KJ, Franklin SH. Yearling laryngeal function grades II.2 and below are not associated with reduced performance. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):953-966.
- Hardwick JL, Ahern BJ, Crawford KL, Allen KJ, Franklin SH. Yearling laryngeal function in Thoroughbreds that underwent a laryngoplasty differs from controls. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):431-440.
- Lo Feudo CM, Stancari G, Collavo F, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Upper and Lower Airways Evaluation and Its Relationship with Dynamic Upper Airway Obstruction in Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jun 17;12(12).
- Fitzharris LE, Hezzell MJ, McConnell AK, Allen KJ. Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic measurement of muscle size. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):295-305.
- Ahern BJ, Sole A, de Klerk K, Hogg LR, Vallance SA, Bertin FR, Franklin SH. Evaluation of postsale endoscopy as a predictor of future racing performance in an Australian thoroughbred yearling population. Aust Vet J 2022 Jun;100(6):254-260.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
