Dynamic respiratory endoscopy of Standardbred racehorses during qualifying races.
Abstract: Examination of the equine upper airway during racing has not previously been documented. Objective: To describe the feasibility and appearance of the upper airways by overground respiratory endoscopic examination during racing conditions. Methods: Overground videoendoscopic examinations were performed on 46 Standardbred racehorses during qualifying races. Examined horses' speeds were recorded throughout the race with a portable GPS device. Results: The procedure did not interfere with performance as there were no significant differences in race times between races in which horses were examined with the endoscope in place and prior unexamined races. Airway obstructions during or after the race were documented in 21 horses. Most previously reported causes of upper airway obstruction were observed; surprisingly bilateral ventro-medial arytenoid displacement (VMAD; n = 5) was seen during exercise as frequently as dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Although DDSP (n = 10) was the most common diagnosis made, many displacements (n = 5) occurred after the race. Horses that demonstrated DDSP after the race had slower speeds than unaffected horses during the race. Conclusions: Racing endoscopy permits the diagnosis of upper airway obstructions without affecting performance. The occurrence of DDSP immediately after exercise may be clinically relevant. During racing VMAD may be an important anomaly. Conclusions: Racing endoscopy could be used to correlate the sensitivity of diagnostic endoscopy during race-training or treadmill examination. The pathogenesis and significance of VMAD deserves further investigation.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2012-03-21 PubMed ID: 22435542DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00562.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Athletic Performance
- Clinical Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Endoscopy
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Exercise
- Exercise Physiology
- Horse Racing
- Horse Training
- Larynx
- Pathogenesis
- Performance Horses
- Respiratory Health
- Standardbred Horses
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research conducted successful overground videoendoscopic examinations on 46 Standardbred racehorses during qualifying races, and found that these procedures did not interfere with the horses’ performances. Surprisingly, it was discovered that bilateral ventro-medial arytenoid displacement (VMAD) was as common as dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) during racing. The results suggest that racing endoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool and indicates a need for further investigation into VMAD.
Methodology
- Overground videoendoscopic examinations were carried out on 46 Standardbred racehorses during their respective qualifying races.
- These examinations aimed to study the upper airways of the horses under racing conditions.
- The speeds of the horses throughout the races were recorded with a portable GPS device to monitor potential performance decrease due to the procedure.
Results
- The research found that the endoscopic procedure didn’t interfere with the horses’ performance as there were no signficant differences in race times when horses were examined with the endoscope in comparison to prior unexamined races.
- Airway obstructions were documented in 21 out of the 46 horses either during or after the race.
- Unexpectedly, bilateral ventro-medial arytenoid displacement, or VMAD, (observed in 5 horses) occurred during exercise as often as dorsal displacement of the soft palate, or DDSP (observed in 10 horses).
- DDSP was also noted in 5 horses post-race. These horses tended to have slower speeds during the race compared to unaffected horses.
Conclusions
- Racing endoscopy was established as a reliable procedure for diagnosing upper airway obstructions while not affecting the performance of the horses.
- The occurrence of DDSP immediately after exercise was found to be clinically relevant, potentially impacting the horse’s speed during the race.
- The frequency of VMAD during racing suggests it could be an important anomaly in racehorse performance.
- Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that further investigation into the sensitivity of diagnostic endoscopy used during race-training or treadmill examination is needed.
- The unexpected prevalence of VMAD also highlighted a need for further study into its pathogenesis and significance in racing performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Priest DT, Cheetham J, Regner AL, Mitchell L, Soderholm LV, Tamzali Y, Ducharme NG.
(2012).
Dynamic respiratory endoscopy of Standardbred racehorses during qualifying races.
Equine Vet J, 44(5), 529-534.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00562.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Endoscopy / methods
- Endoscopy / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Respiratory Physiological Phenomena
- Respiratory System / anatomy & histology
- Sports
- Video Recording / methods
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