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Equine veterinary journal2019; 52(1); 52-58; doi: 10.1111/evj.13122

Race performance following epiglottic entrapment surgery in Thoroughbred yearlings.

Abstract: Epiglottic entrapment can occur in yearling Thoroughbreds (TB); however, race performance following surgical correction is unknown. Objective: To determine the race performance of horses treated surgically for epiglottic entrapment as yearlings as compared to an untreated cohort. A second objective was to identify risk factors for treated horses not racing post-operatively. Methods: Retrospective cohort and case-control studies. Methods: Medical (1989-2014) and race records of 66 treated TB racehorses were reviewed. Observed abnormalities on pre- and post-operative endoscopic images and surgical method were recorded. Race records (EquineLine) were recorded. Racing performance of treated yearling TBs and two of their maternal half-siblings, which were used as the untreated cohort, was evaluated in a cohort study. A case-control study was used to investigate risk factors for not racing post-operatively among treated horses. Quarterly starts and earnings were compared to an untreated cohort. Survival analysis was used to assess career longevity. Rates of racing and earnings were compared between groups using Poisson and negative binomial regression respectively. Associations between clinical variables and not racing post-surgery were evaluated using logistic regression. Results: Sixty-six treated horses were identified, 65 of which had at least one half-sibling. Proportions of horses that raced were similar for treated and maternal cohorts (70.0 vs. 70.8%, P = 0.9). Treated horses performed similarly to untreated horses. In treated horses, epiglottic entrapment with abnormal right arytenoid movement was associated with never racing (OR 15.40, 95% CI 1.64-144.23, P = 0.02). More females were affected by epiglottic entrapment than males (47/66 vs. 19/66 respectively, P<0.001). Conclusions: The retrospective design over a prolonged period of time with cases obtained from a single hospital population. Low case numbers likely influenced the outcome of the multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Thoroughbred racehorses treated in their yearling year for epiglottic entrapment had no differences in performance variables compared to their untreated cohort. Epiglottic entrapment with abnormal right arytenoid movement might decrease odds of racing post-operatively.
© 2019 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-05-10 PubMed ID: 30989701DOI: 10.1111/evj.13122Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

The research article examines the impact of surgical treatment for epiglottic entrapment on the race performance of yearling Thoroughbred horses and tries to identify risk factors for post-operative non-racing.

Objective and Methods

  • The primary objective of the study was to assess the performance of horses that underwent surgery to correct epiglottic entrapment and compare it with an untreated group. The secondary objective was to find any risk factors that would deter the surgically treated horses from racing after recuperation.
  • The researchers gathered medical (1989-2014) and race records of 66 Thoroughbred horses that had been treated for this condition. Relevant information from their archives, both pre and post-operation, was taken note of, including any abnormalities observed in endoscopic images and the surgical method used.
  • The researchers also procured race records, namely from EquineLine, to evaluate the racing performance of treated horses in comparison with two of their untreated maternal half-siblings. The analysis involved distinct comparisons regarding career longevity, quarterly starts, and earnings.
  • A case-control study was executed to explore the risk factors for post-operative non-racing rebellion among treated horses.

Results and Conclusions

  • Out of the 66 treated horses, 65 had at least one half-sibling. The proportion of horses that raced was almost the same between the treated group and the maternal group. The treated horses’ performance was similar to the untreated horses; thus, the surgical treatment did not negatively impact the performance.
  • In horses that were surgically treated, epiglottic entrapment with abnormal right arytenoid movement was linked with never racing again post-operation.
  • More female horses were affected by this condition than male horses (47/66 vs. 19/66 respectively).
  • Thoroughbred horses treated in their yearling year for epiglottic entrapment showed no performance variance compared to their untreated counterparts.
  • The study concluded that epiglottic entrapment with abnormal right arytenoid movement could potentially lower the probability of post-operative racing.
  • The retrospective design of the study over a lengthy period and low case numbers might have influenced the results of the multivariable analysis.

Cite This Article

APA
Curtiss AL, Aceto H, Embertson RM. (2019). Race performance following epiglottic entrapment surgery in Thoroughbred yearlings. Equine Vet J, 52(1), 52-58. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13122

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 1
Pages: 52-58

Researcher Affiliations

Curtiss, A L
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Aceto, H
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Embertson, R M
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Epiglottis / surgery
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Laryngeal Diseases / veterinary
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Running
  • Sports

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Wright S. Highlights of recent clinically relevant papers. Equine Vet Educ 2019 Sep;31(9):450-451.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13155pubmed: 32313399google scholar: lookup
  2. Norton AM, Rosanowski SM, O'Brien T. Comparative analysis of racing performance following surgical correction of epiglottic entrapment in standardbreds and thoroughbreds. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1479144.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1479144pubmed: 39628869google scholar: lookup
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