Comparisons of overground endoscopy and treadmill endoscopy in UK Thoroughbred racehorses.
Abstract: To date there is no information on the comparison of the more recently documented technique of performing endoscopy during ridden exercise in the field, with the more traditional method of endoscopy during high-speed treadmill exercise. Objective: To compare the results of upper respiratory tract endoscopy in UK Thoroughbred racehorses performed during ridden exercise in the field with those obtained during exercise on the treadmill. Methods: A direct comparison was undertaken in 4 horses whereby both procedures were performed in the same horse within 10 days of each other. An indirect comparison was also undertaken whereby the results of overground endoscopy performed in 50 racehorses was compared to the results obtained during treadmill endoscopy in a further 50 racehorses. Horses were matched for age, gender, use (National Hunt vs. Flat) and presenting complaint (abnormal respiratory noise vs. poor performance). Results: Dorsal displacement of the soft palate was diagnosed less frequently during overground endoscopy than during treadmill endoscopy. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis of dynamic laryngeal collapse between the 2 techniques. The treadmill exercise test was performed over longer distances at higher inclines, albeit at lower speeds than the overground test. In contrast to the treadmill test, the overground test was frequently performed in intervals. Conclusions: The results of both the direct and indirect comparisons suggest that dorsal displacement of the soft palate is diagnosed less often during overground endoscopy than during treadmill endoscopy. Strenuous exercise tests may be more easily performed on a treadmill than by performing multiple exercise intervals in the field. Conclusions: Care should be taken in interpreting negative findings during both procedures, but particularly during overground endoscopy if racing conditions have not been appropriately replicated.
Publication Date: 2010-05-22 PubMed ID: 20486973DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00033.xGoogle 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
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.
The study compares two methods of performing endoscopy, under strenuous exercise, on UK Thoroughbred racehorses: the traditional treadmill endoscopy and the more recent overground field endoscopy. The results show some differences in diagnosing upper respiratory tract conditions using these two techniques.
Research Methodology
- The researchers conducted two types of comparisons: direct and indirect.
- In a direct comparison, the same four horses underwent both the treadmill and overground endoscopies within ten days of each other.
- In an indirect comparison, results of endoscopies performed on two separate groups of 50 racehorses (one group underwent treadmill endoscopy, the other overground endoscopy) were compared. Horses in the two groups were matched based on variables such as age, gender, use (National Hunt vs. Flat), and presenting complaint (abnormal respiratory noise vs. poor performance).
Findings
- The main finding of the study was that dorsal displacement of the soft palate was diagnosed less frequently during overground endoscopy than during treadmill endoscopy.
- There was no significant difference between the two methods in diagnosing dynamic laryngeal collapse.
- The treadmill exercise tests were conducted over longer distances and higher inclines, albeit at slower speeds than the overground tests. On the other hand, overground tests were frequently performed in intervals unlike the continuous treadmill tests.
Conclusions
- Both the direct and indirect comparisons suggest that treadmill endoscopy is somewhat superior in identifying dorsal displacement of the soft palate than overground endoscopy.
- The study also concludes that strenuous exercise tests on the horses, which are necessary for diagnosing specific conditions, may be more easily performed on a treadmill than in the field.
- Researchers caution about interpreting negative findings during both procedures, particularly during overground endoscopy if racing conditions haven’t been properly replicated.
Cite This Article
APA
Allen KJ, Franklin SH.
(2010).
Comparisons of overground endoscopy and treadmill endoscopy in UK Thoroughbred racehorses.
Equine Vet J, 42(3), 186-191.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00033.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Airway Obstruction / diagnosis
- Airway Obstruction / veterinary
- Animals
- Endoscopy / methods
- Endoscopy / veterinary
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Respiratory Sounds / diagnosis
- Respiratory Sounds / veterinary
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / diagnosis
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / veterinary
- United Kingdom
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
