Veterinary surgery : VS2002; 31(6); 507-512; doi: 10.1053/jvet.2002.36009

Dorsal displacement of the soft palate in 92 horses during high-speed treadmill examination (1993-1998).

Parente, EJ
·
Martin, BB
·
Tulleners, EP
·
Ross, MW

Abstract: To evaluate the occurrence of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) during high-speed treadmill (HSTM) exercise in racehorses, and determine treatment efficacy relative to the endoscopic findings observed during resting and HSTM endoscopic examination. Methods: Retrospective study. Animals-Ninety-two racehorses (74 Thoroughbreds, 18 Standardbreds). Methods: The signalment, history (clinical and race), treatments, and video recordings made during resting and HSTM endoscopy were reviewed in 92 racehorses that developed DDSP during HSTM exercise. Only horses that completed 3 starts before and after HSTM examination were included in performance-outcome analysis. Statistical associations were made between the independent variables (the historical findings and the resting and HSTM endoscopic findings) and performance outcome. Results: Forty-five horses (49%) displaced their palate in an uncomplicated manner, whereas the other horses either had another upper-respiratory abnormality in association with DDSP (35) or displaced after swallowing (12). Although respiratory noise was not recorded during HSTM exercise, only 57 horses (62%) that developed DDSP during HSTM examination had a history of abnormal upper-respiratory noise. For the 45 horses that met the criteria for performance outcome analysis, there were no independent variables recorded during resting or HSTM endoscopy that had a significant association with performance outcome. Treatment for DDSP varied by clinician. Overall, 29 horses (64%) had improved average earnings per start after diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions: Thirty-five horses (38%) that had DDSP during HSTM endoscopy had no previous history of abnormal upper-respiratory noise, and 74 (80%) had no structural abnormalities noted on resting endoscopic examination. Conclusions: HSTM examination is an excellent tool for diagnosis of DDSP and the manner in which it occurs. DDSP did not occur similarly in all horses, and was often associated with another upper-respiratory abnormality. Thus, it is unlikely that a single treatment can be applied effectively for all horses that experience DDSP. Both surgical and medical treatments can be beneficial in improving a horse's performance after a diagnosis of DDSP is made. Neither resting nor HSTM endoscopic findings were clearly prognostic.

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Publication Date: 2002-11-05 PubMed ID: 12415518DOI: 10.1053/jvet.2002.36009Google Scholar: Lookup

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The study investigated the occurrence of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) during high-intensity exercise in racehorses, how it can be diagnosed, and the effectiveness of various treatments. The majority of the horses displayed an improvement in race performance after being diagnosed and treated for the condition.

Methodology

The study involved a retrospective analysis of 92 racehorses, 74 of which were Thoroughbreds and 18 Standardbreds.
The researchers reviewed the horses’ history, which included clinical, race data, treatment details, and video records obtained from rest and high-speed treadmill (HSTM) endoscopic examinations.
Only the data from horses with verified DDSP (confirmed via HSTM examination) and who completed at least three starts before and after HSTM examination were included in the performance-outcome analysis.
The study also looked for associations between various independent variables such as historical findings and endoscopy results, and the performance outcome.

Results

About half of the horses diagnosed with DDSP showed ‘uncomplicated’ displacement of the palate. The rest either had an associated upper-respiratory abnormality or displacement after swallowing.
Intriguingly, abnormal upper-respiratory noise, a potential symptom of DDSP, was not recorded during HSTM exercise in many of the horses diagnosed with the disorder (62%).
None of the analyzed variables recorded during resting or HSTM endoscopy showed a significant association with race performance.
Following diagnosis and treatment, 64% of the horses showed improved race performance, as indicated by increased average earnings per start.

Conclusions

Many of the horses diagnosed with DDSP during HSTM endoscopy did not show any previous signs of abnormal upper-respiratory noise. Furthermore, in 80% of the cases, no structural abnormalities were observed during a resting endoscopy.
The HSTM examination proved to be a useful tool for diagnosing DDSP and understanding how it affects individual racehorses.
However, DDSP’s manifestation was found to differ from horse to horse, with many having another associated upper-respiratory abnormality. The findings suggested that a single common treatment strategy may not be applicable or effective for all horses suffering from DDSP.
The study concluded that both surgical and medical treatments had the potential to improve race performance post DDSP diagnosis.
The study also highlighted that neither resting nor HSTM endoscopy findings could effectively predict race performance.

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APA

Parente EJ, Martin BB, Tulleners EP, Ross MW. (2002). Dorsal displacement of the soft palate in 92 horses during high-speed treadmill examination (1993-1998). Vet Surg, 31(6), 507-512. https://doi.org/10.1053/jvet.2002.36009