Dynamic upper respiratory abnormalities in Thoroughbred racehorses in South Africa.
Abstract: Upper airway endoscopy at rest has been the diagnostic method of choice for equine upper respiratory tract (URT) conditions. Development of high-speed treadmill endoscopy improved the sensitivity of URT endoscopy by allowing observation of the horse's nasopharynx and larynx during exercise. However, treadmill exercise may not always accurately represent the horse's normal exercise as track surface, rider, tack and environmental variables are altered. Recently, the development of dynamic overground endoscopy (DOE) has addressed some of these shortcomings. A retrospective study was undertaken to describe the URT abnormalities detected during DOE in racehorses presenting with poor performance and/or abnormal respiratory noise. Patient records of Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing DOE from November 2011 to August 2012 were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, primary complaint, distance exercised, maximum speed and dynamic airway abnormalities detected. Fifty-two horses underwent DOE for investigation of poor performance and/or abnormal respiratory noise. The main abnormalities detected included axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (40%), vocal cord collapse (35%), abnormal arytenoid function (33%) and dorsal displacement of the soft palate (25%). A total of 40 horses were diagnosed with one or more abnormalities of the URT (77%). Fifteen horses (29%) had a single abnormality and 25 horses (48%) had multiple abnormalities. This study showed that DOE is a useful technique for investigating dynamic disorders of the URT in racehorses in South Africa. The total number and type of dynamic pathological conditions were comparable with those identified in similar populations in other geographical locations.
Publication Date: 2014-11-14 PubMed ID: 25686356DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v85i1.1140Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research is about the use of dynamic overground endoscopy (DOE) to diagnose abnormalities in the upper respiratory tracts of Thoroughbred racehorses in South Africa. The study reveals a high incidence of upper respiratory tract disorders affecting horse performance and highlights the value of DOE as a diagnostic tool.
Methodology of the Study
- The study is a retrospective review of patient records of Thoroughbred racehorses that underwent DOE from November 2011 to August 2012.
- Information collected from records included the horse’s characteristics, primary complaint, distance they were able to exercise, maximum speed achieved, and any dynamic airway abnormalities detected.
- The main reason for the horses undergoing DOE was investigation of poor performance and/or abnormal respiratory noise.
Findings of the Study
- Out of 52 horses, 40 were diagnosed with one or more abnormalities of the upper respiratory tract, constituting 77% of the sampled population.
- The main abnormalities detected included axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (40% of cases), vocal cord collapse (35% of cases), abnormal arytenoid function (33% of cases), and dorsal displacement of the soft palate (25% of cases).
- There were 15 horses diagnosed with a single abnormality, while 25 horses had multiple abnormalities.
Implications of the Research
- The study validates the use of DOE for diagnosing dynamic disorders in the upper respiratory tract of racehorses.
- The number and types of pathological conditions identified were similar to those identified in comparable populations in other geographic locations, suggesting wider applicability of the findings.
- The high prevalence of these disorders underscores the need for continued monitoring and intervention to improve racehorse health and performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Mirazo JE, Page P, Rubio-Martinez L, Marais HJ, Lyle C.
(2014).
Dynamic upper respiratory abnormalities in Thoroughbred racehorses in South Africa.
J S Afr Vet Assoc, 85(1), 1140.
https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v85i1.1140 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria. javier.mirazo@gmail.com.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Endoscopy / methods
- Endoscopy / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Male
- Monitoring, Physiologic / methods
- Monitoring, Physiologic / veterinary
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / diagnosis
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- South Africa / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- 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).
- Miller SM. Endoscopic recurrent laryngeal neuropathy grade prevalence in a sample of thoroughbred yearlings at public auction in South Africa (2013-2019). J S Afr Vet Assoc 2020 Apr 20;91(0):e1-e5.
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