FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Vet Res / Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in racing thoroughbred...
American journal of veterinary research1981; 42(5); 703-707;

Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in racing thoroughbreds: a preliminary study.

Abstract: Of 235 Thoroughbred racehorses examined with a flexible fiberoptic endoscope within 2 hours of racing to determine the frequency of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), 103 (43.8%) had various degrees of hemorrhage in the tracheal lumen. Two of these horses (0.8%) subsequently had blood flow from the nostrils. Blood seemed to originate from the lung. Statistical analysis of frequency data for 191 horses which finished in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places did not show any relationship between EIPH and horse's age, sex, or finishing position. However, a trend toward an increased frequency of EIPH with age was shown, by a greater proportion of horses 5 years and older having EIPH. This trend is thought to reflect the chronicity of the pulmonary lesions and an inability of the lung to repair damaged regions while training and racing continued. The efficacy of furosemide for the treatment of EIPH was questioned, since 30 of 56 furosemide-treated horses which were examined had evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage. Nineteen (8%) horses had visible functional abnormalities of the upper respiratory tract.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1981-05-01 PubMed ID: 7258791
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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research study investigates the occurrence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in racing thoroughbreds and explores its potential connections with the horses’ age, sex or race finishing position. While the findings raise doubts about the effectiveness of furosemide for treating EIPH, a notable trend emerges indicating a higher probability of EIPH among older horses.

Research Methodology and Objectives

  • The researchers carried out a preliminary study on a total of 235 racehorses using a flexible fiberoptic endoscope. The main objective was to determine the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) among these animals.
  • EIPH was identified by the presence of various degrees of hemorrhage in the tracheal lumen. The examination was conducted within two hours post-racing.
  • Particular attention was given to the relationships between EIPH and each horse’s age, sex, and race finishing position. For this, statistical analysis was performed on data for 191 horses that had finished in 1st, 2nd or 3rd places.

Key Findings

  • Out of the 235 thoroughbred racehorses studied, 103 (or 43.8%) had evident EIPH. In two horses (or 0.8% of the total), blood was also observed flowing from the nostrils, suggesting that it originated from the lungs.
  • While no direct relationship was established between EIPH and the horse’s age, sex, or race finishing position, there was an evident trend towards an increased frequency of EIPH with age. More specifically, a greater proportion of horses 5 years and older were found to have EIPH.
  • This observed trend was suspected to reflect the chronic nature of the pulmonary lesions and the lung’s inability to repair damaged regions while training and racing continued.

Observations on Treatments and Functional Abnormalities

  • The study called into question the efficacy of furosemide as a treatment for EIPH. Of the 56 furosemide-treated horses examined, 30 had evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage.
  • The data also revealed that 19 horses (or 8% of the total participants) had visible functional abnormalities of the upper respiratory tract.

Cite This Article

APA
Pascoe JR, Ferraro GL, Cannon JH, Arthur RM, Wheat JD. (1981). Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in racing thoroughbreds: a preliminary study. Am J Vet Res, 42(5), 703-707.

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 5
Pages: 703-707

Researcher Affiliations

Pascoe, J R
    Ferraro, G L
      Cannon, J H
        Arthur, R M
          Wheat, J D

            MeSH Terms

            • Age Factors
            • Animals
            • Female
            • Furosemide / therapeutic use
            • Hemorrhage / drug therapy
            • Hemorrhage / etiology
            • Hemorrhage / veterinary
            • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
            • Horse Diseases / etiology
            • Horses
            • Lung Diseases / drug therapy
            • Lung Diseases / etiology
            • Lung Diseases / veterinary
            • Male
            • Physical Exertion
            • Sex Factors

            Citations

            This article has been cited 19 times.
            1. Rocchigiani G, Verin R, Uzal FA, Singer ER, Pregel P, Ressel L, Ricci E. Pulmonary bleeding in racehorses: A gross, histologic, and ultrastructural comparison of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and exercise-associated fatal pulmonary hemorrhage.. Vet Pathol 2022 Nov;59(6):973-982.
              doi: 10.1177/03009858221117859pubmed: 35972142google scholar: lookup
            2. 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).
              doi: 10.3390/ani12040449pubmed: 35203157google scholar: lookup
            3. Dahlgren AR, Tablin F, Finno CJ. Genetics of equine bleeding disorders.. Equine Vet J 2021 Jan;53(1):30-37.
              doi: 10.1111/evj.13290pubmed: 32463964google scholar: lookup
            4. 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.
              doi: 10.4102/jsava.v91i0.2013pubmed: 32370531google scholar: lookup
            5. Villarino NF, Lopez CM, Sams RA, Bayly WM. Pharmacokinetics of furosemide in thoroughbred horses subjected to supramaximal treadmill exercise with and without controlled access to water.. BMC Vet Res 2019 Aug 2;15(1):275.
              doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2017-3pubmed: 31375096google scholar: lookup
            6. Poole DC, Erickson HH. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: where are we now?. Vet Med (Auckl) 2016;7:133-148.
              doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S120421pubmed: 30050846google scholar: lookup
            7. da Silva KM, Otaka JNP, Gonçalves CAP, Silva EGA, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB. Association between exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and inflammatory airway disease in polo ponies.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(2):55-59.
              doi: 10.1294/jes.28.55pubmed: 28721124google scholar: lookup
            8. Barton AK, Gehlen H. Pulmonary Remodeling in Equine Asthma: What Do We Know about Mediators of Inflammation in the Horse?. Mediators Inflamm 2016;2016:5693205.
              doi: 10.1155/2016/5693205pubmed: 28053371google scholar: lookup
            9. Léguillette R, Steinmann M, Bond SL, Stanton B. Tracheobronchoscopic Assessment of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage and Airway Inflammation in Barrel Racing Horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1327-32.
              doi: 10.1111/jvim.13959pubmed: 27278854google scholar: lookup
            10. 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.
              doi: 10.1111/jvim.12593pubmed: 25996660google scholar: lookup
            11. Kusano K, Hobo S, Ode H, Ishikawa Y. Tracheal Endoscopic and Cytological Findings and Blood Examination Results in Thoroughbred Racehorses Suspected to have Lower Respiratory Tract Disease.. J Equine Sci 2008;19(4):97-102.
              doi: 10.1294/jes.19.97pubmed: 24833960google scholar: lookup
            12. Stickland MK, Lindinger MI, Olfert IM, Heigenhauser GJ, Hopkins SR. Pulmonary gas exchange and acid-base balance during exercise.. Compr Physiol 2013 Apr;3(2):693-739.
              doi: 10.1002/cphy.c110048pubmed: 23720327google scholar: lookup
            13. Ferrucci F, Stancari G, Zucca E, Ayalon S, Falcone C, Ferro E. Specificity and sensitivity of ultrasonography and endoscopy for the diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in 157 race horses.. Vet Res Commun 2009 Sep;33 Suppl 1:185-8.
              doi: 10.1007/s11259-009-9277-5pubmed: 19578953google 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. Doucet MY, Viel L. Clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy findings in horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.. Can Vet J 2002 Mar;43(3):195-202.
              pubmed: 11901592
            16. West JB, Mathieu-Costello O. Stress failure of pulmonary capillaries as a limiting factor for maximal exercise.. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1995;70(2):99-108.
              doi: 10.1007/BF00361536pubmed: 7768245google scholar: lookup
            17. Weiler-Ravell D, Shupak A, Goldenberg I, Halpern P, Shoshani O, Hirschhorn G, Margulis A. Pulmonary oedema and haemoptysis induced by strenuous swimming.. BMJ 1995 Aug 5;311(7001):361-2.
              doi: 10.1136/bmj.311.7001.361pubmed: 7640542google scholar: lookup
            18. Littlejohn A, Howell W, Killeen V. Pulmonary arterial haemodynamics and blood gas values of Thoroughbred racehorses with a history of epistaxis during a race.. Vet Res Commun 1984 Feb;8(1):41-5.
              doi: 10.1007/BF02214693pubmed: 6719827google scholar: lookup
            19. Donaldson LL. A review of the pathophysiology of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in the equine athlete.. Vet Res Commun 1991;15(3):211-26.
              doi: 10.1007/BF00343226pubmed: 1882515google scholar: lookup
            Subscribe to our newsletter
            Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.