Sub-clinical diseases affecting performance in Standardbred trotters: diagnostic methods and predictive parameters.
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of sub-clinical diseases in poorly-performing Standardbred horses, compare their physiological response to exercise with control horses, and identify predictive parameters of poor-performance. Fifty horses underwent thorough clinical and ancillary examinations, including haematological and biochemical evaluation, Doppler echocardiography, standardised exercise tests (SETs) on both treadmill and racetrack, treadmill video-endoscopy and collection of respiratory fluids. Most of the poorly-performing horses exhibited many concomitant diseases. The most frequently diagnosed problems involved the lower and upper respiratory tract and the musculoskeletal system. Poor-performers had lower speeds at a blood lactate (LA) concentration of 4mmol/L (V(LA4)) and a heart rate (HR) of 200bpm (V(200)) on treadmill and racetrack, as well as lower values for haematological parameters, plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme and antioxidants, compared to control horses. Problems of the respiratory system were the most frequently diagnosed sub-clinical diseases affecting performance. SETs, together with some blood markers, may be useful as a non-specific diagnostic tool for early detection of diseases that may affect performance.
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2009-05-23 PubMed ID: 19477143DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.04.016Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Pathology
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Echocardiography
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Heart Rate
- Hematology
- Lactate
- Musculoskeletal System
- Performance Horses
- Respiratory Disease
- Standardbred Horses
- Treadmill Exercise
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
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 study aimed to determine the prevalence of sub-clinical diseases in Standardbred horses showing poor performance and identify potential indicators of poor performance. The researchers evaluated various factors, including physiological response to exercise, ancillary examination results, treadmill video-endoscopy, and respiratory fluid collection.
Research Procedures
- The study involved comprehensive clinical and ancillary examinations on fifty Standardbred horses that were not performing optimally. The examinations covered various aspects, including Doppler echocardiography, standardised exercise tests on both treadmill and racetrack, and collection of respiratory fluids.
- The study also undertook haematological and biochemical evaluations on these horses to get deeper insights into their health and performance status.
Findings of the Study
- Results showed that most of the poorly performing horses suffered from multiple diseases concurrently.
- The problems most commonly diagnosed related to the lower and upper respiratory tract as well as the musculoskeletal system.
- Poor performers had a slower speed at a blood lactate concentration of 4mmol/L and a heartbeat rate of 200bpm on both the treadmill and racetrack. Their values for haematological parameters, plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme and antioxidants were also lower compared to control horses.
Implications of the Findings
- The study points out that respiratory system problems are the most commonly diagnosed sub-clinical diseases affecting these horses’ performance. As such, measures should be put in place to address respiratory health in Standardbred horses to improve their performance.
- Standardized exercise tests (SETs), in conjunction with certain blood markers mentioned in the study, can be used as an early-warning non-specific diagnostic tool to detect diseases that could affect performance. This early detection can enable timely interventions and treatment plans to be implemented thus preventing a fall in performance levels.
Cite This Article
APA
Richard EA, Fortier GD, Pitel PH, Dupuis MC, Valette JP, Art T, Denoix JM, Lekeux PM, Erck EV.
(2009).
Sub-clinical diseases affecting performance in Standardbred trotters: diagnostic methods and predictive parameters.
Vet J, 184(3), 282-289.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.04.016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- CIRALE-IPC, RD 675, 14430 Goustranville, France. eric.richard@doct.ulg.ac.be
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomarkers / blood
- Blood Gas Analysis / veterinary
- Case-Control Studies
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Lactates / blood
- Male
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnosis
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / epidemiology
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / physiopathology
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Prevalence
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / physiopathology
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- 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).
- 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, 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).
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Alberti E, Stancari G, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. The Role of Thoracic Ultrasonography and Airway Endoscopy in the Diagnosis of Equine Asthma and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage. Vet Sci 2021 Nov 15;8(11).
- Verdegaal EJMM, Howarth GS, McWhorter TJ, Boshuizen B, Franklin SH, Vidal Moreno de Vega C, Jonas SE, Folwell LE, Delesalle CJG. Continuous Monitoring of the Thermoregulatory Response in Endurance Horses and Trotter Horses During Field Exercise: Baselining for Future Hot Weather Studies. Front Physiol 2021;12:708737.
- Herteman N, Mosing M, Waldmann AD, Gerber V, Schoster A. Exercise-induced airflow changes in horses with asthma measured by electrical impedance tomography. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Sep;35(5):2500-2510.
- Karagianni AE, Eaton SL, Kurian D, Cillán-Garcia E, Twynam-Perkins J, Raper A, Wishart TM, Pirie RS. Application across species of a one health approach to liquid sample handling for respiratory based -omics analysis. Sci Rep 2021 Jul 12;11(1):14292.
- Kinnison T, Cardwell JM. Conflict Between Direct Experience and Research-Based Evidence Is a Key Challenge to Evidence-Based Respiratory Medicine on British Racing Yards. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:266.
- Doubli-Bounoua N, Richard EA, Léon A, Pitel PH, Pronost S, Fortier G. Multiple molecular detection of respiratory viruses and associated signs of airway inflammation in racehorses. Virol J 2016 Nov 29;13(1):197.
- 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.
- Back H, Penell J, Pringle J, Isaksson M, Ronéus N, Treiberg Berndtsson L, Ståhl K. A longitudinal study of poor performance and subclinical respiratory viral activity in Standardbred trotters. Vet Rec Open 2015;2(1):e000107.
- Frellstedt L, Gosset P, Kervoaze G, Hans A, Desmet C, Pirottin D, Bureau F, Lekeux P, Art T. The innate immune response of equine bronchial epithelial cells is altered by training. Vet Res 2015 Jan 17;46(1):3.
- Chatfield MW, Brannelly LA, Robak MJ, Freeborn L, Lailvaux SP, Richards-Zawacki CL. Fitness consequences of infection by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens). Ecohealth 2013 Mar;10(1):90-8.
- Hamond C, Martins G, Lilenbaum W. Subclinical leptospirosis may impair athletic performance in racing horses. Trop Anim Health Prod 2012 Dec;44(8):1927-30.
- 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).
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Conturba B, Bozzola C, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Evaluation of fitness parameters in relation to racing results in 245 Standardbred trotter horses submitted for poor performance examination: A retrospective study. PLoS One 2023;18(10):e0293202.
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