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Endoscopic evaluation of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in association with poor performance in racing Standardbreds.

Abstract: Endoscopic examinations were performed on 965 Standardbred racehorses competing at Yonkers Raceway between June 16 and Aug 3, 1988, to demonstrate an association between exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and poor racing performance. Findings suggested that both exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease adversely affect performance, whereas a combination of the 2 conditions more severely affects racing performance than do either of the conditions individually.
Publication Date: 1990-02-01 PubMed ID: 2298674
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article explores the link between two medical conditions – exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – and poor racing performance in Standardbred racehorses.

Objective of the Research

The study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the racing performance of nearly a thousand Standardbred racehorses. The researchers were particularly interested in seeing if these medical conditions individually or in combination affected the horses’ performance.

Research Methodology

  • Endoscopic examinations were performed on 965 Standardbred racehorses at Yonkers Raceway between June 16 and August 3, 1988.
  • The researchers looked for the presence of EIPH or COPD or both conditions in the horses and documented the severity of the health issues.

Research Findings

  • The research showed that both EIPH and COPD adversely affect a horse’s racing performance. This substantiates the concern raised by horse trainers and veterinarians that these medical issues can reduce the athleticism and racing speed of the horse.
  • Interestingly, the study also found that a combination of the two conditions had an even more severe impact on the racing performance than either of the conditions individually.

Significance of the Research

  • This research provides valuable information for those involved in the horse racing industry. It corroborates the idea that medical health can significantly affect a racehorse’s performance.
  • Understanding this relationship can guide treatment plans for Standardbreds suffering from EIPH and/or COPD, and potentially improve their performance and well-being.
  • This research also opens avenues for further study to investigate ways of preventing these conditions or mitigating their effects on performance.

Cite This Article

APA
MacNamara B, Bauer S, Iafe J. (1990). Endoscopic evaluation of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in association with poor performance in racing Standardbreds. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 196(3), 443-445.

Publication

ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 196
Issue: 3
Pages: 443-445

Researcher Affiliations

MacNamara, B
  • Warwick Equine Clinic, NY 10990.
Bauer, S
    Iafe, J

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Breeding
      • Bronchi / pathology
      • Bronchoscopy / veterinary
      • Hemorrhage / pathology
      • Hemorrhage / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / pathology
      • Horses
      • Lung Diseases / pathology
      • Lung Diseases / veterinary
      • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / pathology
      • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / veterinary
      • Palate, Soft / pathology
      • Physical Exertion
      • Trachea / pathology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 18 times.
      1. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Conturba B, Bozzola C, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Associations between Medical Disorders and Racing Outcomes in Poorly Performing Standardbred Trotter Racehorses: A Retrospective Study. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 9;13(16).
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      2. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Stancari G, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Medical causes of poor performance and their associations with fitness in Standardbred racehorses. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Jul-Aug;37(4):1514-1527.
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      3. Padoan E, Ferraresso S, Pegolo S, Barnini C, Castagnaro M, Bargelloni L. Gene Expression Profiles of the Immuno-Transcriptome in Equine Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 20;13(1).
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      4. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Stancari G, Ferrucci F. Impact of Lower Airway Inflammation on Fitness Parameters in Standardbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 21;12(22).
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      5. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Alberti E, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Associations between Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) and Fitness Parameters Measured by Incremental Treadmill Test in Standardbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 12;12(4).
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      6. Poole DC, Erickson HH. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: where are we now?. Vet Med (Auckl) 2016;7:133-148.
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      8. Couëtil LL, Cardwell JM, Gerber V, Lavoie JP, Léguillette R, Richard EA. Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses--Revised Consensus Statement. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Mar-Apr;30(2):503-15.
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      9. Hinchcliff KW, Couetil LL, Knight PK, Morley PS, Robinson NE, Sweeney CR, van Erck E. Exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement. J Vet Intern Med 2015 May-Jun;29(3):743-58.
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      10. Ivester KM, Couëtil LL, Zimmerman NJ. Investigating the link between particulate exposure and airway inflammation in the horse. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Nov-Dec;28(6):1653-65.
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      11. Kusano K, Ishikawa Y, Seki K, Kusunose R. Characteristic of inflammatory airway disease in Japanese thoroughbred racehorses. J Equine Sci 2008;19(2):25-9.
        doi: 10.1294/jes.19.25pubmed: 24833952google scholar: lookup
      12. Rousseau K, Cardwell JM, Humphrey E, Newton R, Knight D, Clegg P, Thornton DJ. Muc5b is the major polymeric mucin in mucus from thoroughbred horses with and without airway mucus accumulation. PLoS One 2011;6(5):e19678.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019678pubmed: 21602926google scholar: lookup
      13. Wood JL, Newton JR, Chanter N, Mumford JA. Association between respiratory disease and bacterial and viral infections in British racehorses. J Clin Microbiol 2005 Jan;43(1):120-6.
        doi: 10.1128/JCM.43.1.120-126.2005pubmed: 15634959google scholar: lookup
      14. Hackett RP, Ducharme NG, Gleed RD, Mitchell L, Soderholm LV, Erickson BK, Erb HN. Do Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses have similar increases in pulmonary vascular pressures during exertion?. Can J Vet Res 2003 Oct;67(4):291-6.
        pubmed: 14620866
      15. Koivunen AL, Maisi P, Konttinen YT, Sandholm M. Gelatinolytic activity in tracheal aspirates of horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Acta Vet Scand 1997;38(1):17-27.
        doi: 10.1186/BF03548504pubmed: 9129343google scholar: lookup
      16. Koivunen AL, Maisi P, Konttinen YT, Prikk K, Sandholm M. Collagenolytic activity and its sensitivity to doxycycline inhibition in tracheal aspirates of horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Acta Vet Scand 1997;38(1):9-16.
        doi: 10.1186/BF03548503pubmed: 9129342google scholar: lookup
      17. Donaldson LL. A review of the pathophysiology of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in the equine athlete. Vet Res Commun 1991;15(3):211-26.
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      18. Röschmann J, Naef J, Doras C, Gerber V. Respiratory Rate Recovery After Submaximal Lunging Exercise Is Delayed in Asthmatic Horses with Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 2;15(5).
        doi: 10.3390/ani15050713pubmed: 40075996google scholar: lookup