Physiological measurements and prevalence of lower airway diseases in Trotters with dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Abstract: Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) is one of the most common obstructive conditions of the upper respiratory tract in the racehorse. This condition has a complex aetiology which may be caused or exacerbated by pharyngeal inflammation. Additionally, lower respiratory airway diseases may be associated with DDSP thereby contributing to exercise intolerance in these horses. Objective: The aim of this study was to measure physiological variables during a standardised exercise test and to assess the prevalence and consequences of lower respiratory airway disease in horses with DDSP. Methods: A total of 46 horses were included in this study: 22 in the control and 24 in the DDSP groups. All horses performed a SET with measurement of heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentration. One hour post exercise, respiratory samples were collected for cytological and bacteriological analysis. Results: During exercise, the DDSP group had higher blood lactate concentration than the control group. According to BAL results, 50 and 63% of control and DDSP group horses, respectively, had evidence of inflammatory airway disease (IAD). In the DDSP group, 42% of horses had a syndrome of tracheal inflammation (STI) with 71% of this group having bacteria isolated at >10(5) CFU/ml. Conclusions: Horses with DDSP showed evidence of a high prevalence of IAD and STI with an associated positive bacteriology in 55% of the cases. Even if DDSP is treated by surgery, the authors' recommendation would be to investigate the possibility of lower respiratory airway problems which may also be impacting the horse's performance and/or surgery efficiency.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059014DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00276.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper investigates how Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), a common upper respiratory issue in racehorses, has connections with lower respiratory diseases, and assesses the prevalence and implications of such lower respiratory diseases in affected horses. The study also observes the physiological changes in horses during a standard exercise test.
Study Design and Methods
- The research involved 46 racehorses, divided into two groups – 24 horses affected with DDSP (DDSP group) and 22 horses without DDSP (control group).
- All the horses were made to perform a Standardised Exercise Test (SET). During the SET, key physiological parameters like heart rate and blood lactate concentration were measured.
- An hour after the exercise, respiratory samples were collected to carry out cytological and bacteriological examinations.
Findings
- During the exercise, the DDSP group had a higher blood lactate concentration compared to the control group, indicating that the horses with DDSP were undergoing additional physiological stress.
- Cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) showed evidence of inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in both groups, 50% of the control group and 63% of the DDSP group.
- In the DDSP group, 42% of the horses exhibited symptoms of a syndrome of tracheal inflammation (STI), with 71% of these horses having bacteria isolated at quantities greater than 105 CFU/ml.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- Based on the data, it was evident that horses affected with DDSP are at an increased risk of Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) and Syndrome of Tracheal Inflammation (STI).
- A substantial minimum of 55% of the cases had a positive bacteriology, suggesting that bacterial infection could be a possible cause, consequence or exacerbating factor for those respiratory issues.
- According to the authors, even if the DDSP is treated surgically, veterinarians should investigate and address any potential lower respiratory issues, as these can also hamper the horse’s performance, and may even affect the success rate of the DDSP surgery.
Cite This Article
APA
Courouce-Malblanc A, Deniau V, Rossignol F, Corde R, Leleu C, Maillard K, Pitel PH, Pronost S, Fortier G.
(2011).
Physiological measurements and prevalence of lower airway diseases in Trotters with dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 246-255.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00276.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- ONIRIS, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation de Nantes Atlantique, UPSP, Laboratoire de Physiopathologie Animale et de Pharmacologie Fonctionnelle, Atlanpôle, La Chantrerie, Nantes cedex, France. anne.courouce@oniris-nantes.fr
MeSH Terms
- Airway Obstruction / complications
- Airway Obstruction / pathology
- Airway Obstruction / veterinary
- Animals
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Hemorrhage / etiology
- Hemorrhage / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Lung Diseases / etiology
- Lung Diseases / veterinary
- Male
- Palate, Soft / pathology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
- Tracheitis / etiology
- Tracheitis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Kozłowska N, Borowska M, Jasiński T, Wierzbicka M, Domino M. Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Equine Pharyngeal Lymphoid Hyperplasia Using the Object Detection-Based Processing Technique of Digital Endoscopic Images. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 22;15(18).
- 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).
- Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Pawliński B, Domino M. Co-Occurrence of Severe Equine Asthma and Palatal Disorders in Privately Owned Pleasure Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 12;13(12).
- 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.
- 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).
- Couetil L, Cardwell JM, Leguillette R, Mazan M, Richard E, Bienzle D, Bullone M, Gerber V, Ivester K, Lavoie JP, Martin J, Moran G, Niedźwiedź A, Pusterla N, Swiderski C. Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:450.
- . 2018 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program. Seattle, Washington, June 14 - 15, 2018. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Nov;32(6):2144-2309.
- Bond S, Léguillette R, Richard EA, Couetil L, Lavoie JP, Martin JG, Pirie RS. Equine asthma: Integrative biologic relevance of a recently proposed nomenclature. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Nov;32(6):2088-2098.
- Mellor DJ, Beausoleil NJ. Equine Welfare during Exercise: An Evaluation of Breathing, Breathlessness and Bridles. Animals (Basel) 2017 May 26;7(6).
- 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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