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Prognosis for racing with conservative management of cervical vertebral malformation in thoroughbreds: 103 cases (2002-2010).
Abstract: Cervical vertebral malformation (CVM) is seen in young, rapidly growing horses, and is commonly associated with a poor prognosis for racing. Objective: To examine the records of a population of Thoroughbreds with a presumptive diagnosis of CVM and to determine which radiographic findings and neurologic exam findings have an effect on these horses achieving athletic function when managed conservatively. Methods: One hundred and three thoroughbreds presumptively diagnosed with CVM and treated conservatively between 2002 and 2010. Methods: Racing records were reviewed in this retrospective study to determine which horses raced after treatment. Horses were separated into groups based on whether or not they raced. Medical records were reviewed, and results of neurologic examination, radiographic and laboratory findings, treatments, and outcome were assessed and compared between groups. Results: Sixteen horses were excluded because of insufficient information. Of the remaining horses, thirty-three were euthanized after diagnosis, while the remaining seventy were discharged for treatment. Twenty-one of 70 horses treated medically (30%) went on to race. Horses that went on to race had a significantly lower neurologic grade (P = .0002), with a median of 1.0 in the thoracic limbs and 2.0 in the pelvic limbs. Euthanized horses and nonstarters were more likely to have kyphosis (P = .041) or cranial stenosis (P = .041) on standing lateral cervical radiographs. Conclusions: Some horses can race after the diagnosis of CVM. Neurologic examination and radiographic findings can be helpful in predicting racing prognosis.
Copyright © 2013 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2013-03-10 PubMed ID: 23480718DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12053Google Scholar: Lookup 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.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research is a retrospective study looking at 103 thoroughbred horses who were presumed to have Cervical Vertebral Malformation (CVM) and treated conservatively between 2002 and 2010 to evaluate factors influencing their chances of racing after diagnosis. The study found that some horses could still race after a CVM diagnosis and certain neurological examinations and radiographic findings could predict their racing prognosis.
Study Objective and Methodologies
- The main goal of the research was to evaluate medical records of thoroughbred horses presumably diagnosed with CVM and review their ensuing racing records. The objective was to determine the radiographic and neurologic examination findings that could impact their ability to perform athletically after undergoing a conservative management approach.
- Retrospectively, the medical histories and racing records of 103 thoroughbreds diagnosed with CVM and treated conservatively from 2002 to 2010 were studied.
- The horses were divided into separate groups based on whether they raced post-treatment or not.
- Multiple factors were assessed and compared between both groups, such as results of neurologic examination, radiographic and lab findings, treatments, and outcome.
Results and Conclusions
- Out of the total number of horses studied, 16 were excluded due to insufficient data. Subsequently, 33 horses were euthanized after diagnosis while the other 70 received discharge for conservative treatment.
- On observing these 70 horses, it was found that 21 of them, or 30%, were able to race post-treatment.
- Horses that resumed racing had significantly lower neurologic grades with a median of 1.0 in the thoracic limbs and 2.0 in the pelvic limbs.
- Euthanized horses and nonstarters exhibited a higher likelihood of having either kyphosis or cranial stenosis, as indicated by standing lateral cervical radiographs.
- The research concluded that despite a CVM diagnosis, some horses possess the ability to compete in races.
- It was also discerned that neurological examinations and radiographic findings can assist in predicting a horse’s prognosis to continue racing.
Cite This Article
APA
Hoffman CJ, Clark CK.
(2013).
Prognosis for racing with conservative management of cervical vertebral malformation in thoroughbreds: 103 cases (2002-2010).
J Vet Intern Med, 27(2), 317-323.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12053 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia/Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Leesburg, VA 20176, USA. CrystalHoffman84@gmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cervical Vertebrae / abnormalities
- Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Prognosis
- Radiography
- Retrospective Studies
- Running / physiology
- Spinal Cord Compression / diagnostic imaging
- Spinal Cord Compression / physiopathology
- Spinal Cord Compression / veterinary
- Statistics, Nonparametric
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Chen CJ, Yamada K. An objective index for spinal cord compression on computed tomography in Thoroughbred horses. Vet Med Sci 2022 May;8(3):1072-1078.
- Pezzanite LM, Easley JT, Bayless R, Aldrich E, Nelson BB, Seim HB 3rd, Nout-Lomas YS. Outcomes after cervical vertebral interbody fusion using an interbody fusion device and polyaxial pedicle screw and rod construct in 10 horses (2015-2019). Equine Vet J 2022 Mar;54(2):347-358.
- Szklarz M, Lipinska A, Slowikowska M, Niedzwiedz A, Marycz K, Janeczek M. Comparison of the clinical and radiographic appearance of the cervical vertebrae with histological and anatomical findings in an eight-month old warmblood stallion suffering from cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM). BMC Vet Res 2019 Aug 15;15(1):296.
- Rijckaert J, Pardon B, Van Ham L, Joosten P, van Loon G, Deprez P. Magnetic motor evoked potentials of cervical muscles in horses. BMC Vet Res 2018 Sep 24;14(1):290.
- Yamada K, Sato F, Hada T, Horiuchi N, Ikeda H, Nishihara K, Sasaki N, Kobayashi Y, Nambo Y. Quantitative evaluation of cervical cord compression by computed tomographic myelography in Thoroughbred foals. J Equine Sci 2016;27(4):143-148.
- Olsen E, Dunkel B, Barker WH, Finding EJ, Perkins JD, Witte TH, Yates LJ, Andersen PH, Baiker K, Piercy RJ. Rater agreement on gait assessment during neurologic examination of horses. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Mar-Apr;28(2):630-8.
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