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The use of race winnings, ratings and a performance index to assess the effect of thermocautery of the soft palate for treatment of horses with suspected intermittent dorsal displacement. A case-control study in 110 racing Thoroughbreds.
Abstract: There have been no reports of the efficacy of thermocautery of the soft palate (TSP) assessed objectively as a treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Objective: To compare: racing performance of horses that underwent thermocautery of the soft palate with matched controls; and 'Racing Post ratings' (RPR) with prize money won (RE) and a performance index (PI) for each of the horses in the study. Objective: Thermocautery of the soft palate has no beneficial effect on racing performance and the 3 measures of performance are significantly related. Methods: The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 110 horses and each was matched with 2 controls. Changes in performance were compared statistically. RPR, RE and PI were analysed using a regression model. Results: The percentage of horses that improved in performance following the procedure was 28-51% for the 3 measures of performance, compared to 21-53% for the matched controls. There was no significant effect of the procedure on the changes in RPR or RE. There was a significant effect of the procedure on the change in PI (P=0.015) with more treated horses achieving an improved PI and fewer acquiring a worse PI than matched control horses. The measures of performance showed significant correlation. Conclusions: Thermocautery of the soft palate alone may not be the most efficacious treatment of DDSP. Conclusions: Production of a reliable measure of racehorse performance may be possible.
Publication Date: 2008-05-21 PubMed ID: 18490236DOI: 10.2746/042516408X320898Google 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
- Case Reports
- Clinical Study
- Clinical Symptoms
- Comparative Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Health
- Horse Racing
- Horses
- Laryngeal Dysfunction
- Performance Horses
- Regression Analysis
- Respiratory Health
- Surgery
- Thoroughbreds
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
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 study examines the use of a procedure called thermocautery of the soft palate in treating racehorses with a condition called intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. The study investigates the procedure’s effect on race performance, finding no significant benefits.
Objective of the Research
- The principal aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of a medical procedure, thermocautery of the soft palate (TSP), which is used as a treatment for a condition in racehorses known as intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). This condition affects the horse’s speed and stamina.
- The performance of those horses that underwent the procedure was compared with that of a control group. Three performance measures were used for this comparison: the Racing Post Ratings (RPR), the prize money won (RE), and a Performance Index (PI).
Methods and Methodology Used
- The study included 110 racing Thoroughbreds that met specific inclusion criteria, and each participating horse was matched with two control horses (ones that didn’t undergo TSP).
- Performance changes after the procedure were analyzed and compared statistically. The 3 performance measures (RPR, RE, and PI) were examined using a regression model.
Findings and Results of the Research
- The research showed that between 28% and 51% of horses showed improved performance after undergoing TSP, compared to an increase for 21% to 53% of the control horses. The procedure, therefore, displayed no significant influence on RPR or RE.
- However, the study showed a significant impact of the procedure on the PI, with notably more treated horses showing an improvement in their PI than the matched controls.
- Importantly, the study revealed a significant correlation between the three measures of performance.
Conclusion from the Research
- The study concludes that thermocautery of the soft palate, when used alone, is possibly not the most effective treatment for DDSP. This suggests that additional or alternative treatment methods might be beneficial.
- The study also indicates that developing a reliable measure of racehorse performance might be achievable, given the significant correlation between the three measures used in this research. This could help in future studies related to racehorse performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Reardon RJ, Fraser BS, Heller J, Lischer C, Parkin T, Bladon BM.
(2008).
The use of race winnings, ratings and a performance index to assess the effect of thermocautery of the soft palate for treatment of horses with suspected intermittent dorsal displacement. A case-control study in 110 racing Thoroughbreds.
Equine Vet J, 40(5), 508-513.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408X320898 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery, Oxford Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JB, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Cautery / methods
- Cautery / veterinary
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Epiglottis / abnormalities
- Epiglottis / surgery
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Female
- Horse Diseases / economics
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Larynx / abnormalities
- Larynx / diagnostic imaging
- Larynx / surgery
- Male
- Palate, Soft / abnormalities
- Palate, Soft / surgery
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / economics
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Radiography
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / economics
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / surgery
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / veterinary
- Sports / economics
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Cassiers V, McNally T. Technique description and outcome evaluation of Thoroughbred racehorses following soft palate thermocautery performed under standing sedation. Vet Med Sci 2024 Sep;10(5):e70018.
- 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).
- Peter VG, O'Keeffe TA, Smith LCR, Schweizer-Gorgas D. Radiographic Identification of Osseous Cyst- Like Lesions in the Distal Phalanx in 22 Lame Thoroughbred Horses Managed Conservatively and Their Racing Performance. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:286.
- Jean D, Picandet V, Céleste C, Macieira S, Cesarini C, Morisset S, Rossier Y, Marcoux M. Palatal sclerotherapy for the treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate in 51 standardbred racehorses. Can Vet J 2011 Nov;52(11):1203-8.
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