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Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14110

Yearling laryngeal function in Thoroughbreds that underwent a laryngoplasty differs from controls.

Abstract: Yearling laryngeal function (YLF) is frequently assessed at the time of sale and the outcomes of these assessments can have significant economic implications. The YLF of horses that subsequently underwent a prosthetic laryngoplasty (PL) is unknown. Objective: We hypothesised horses with YLF ≥grade II.2 would be at increased risk of requiring PL, compared with YLF
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-07 PubMed ID: 38847239DOI: 10.1111/evj.14110Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigates the laryngeal function in thoroughbreds that underwent a laryngoplasty, finding that these horses tend to show a decline in function post-sale. The research also indicates a correlation between horses with a higher grading of yearling laryngeal function and an increased risk of needing a laryngoplasty.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aimed to identify if there is a link between the Yearling Laryngeal Function (YLF) in horses evaluated at the time of sale and their subsequent need for a prosthetic laryngoplasty (PL).
  • The researchers hypothesized that horses with a YLF of grade II.2 or higher were at a heightened risk of requiring PL, relative to those with a YLF of less than grade II.2.

Methodology

  • The study used a case-control method with 150 PL cases that had a yearling post-sale videoendoscopic examination from 2019 to 2021, compared to 600 controls.
  • The YLF was graded using the Havemeyer system by two observers unaware of the outcome.
  • The risk of PL for each YLF grade was computed using multivariable conditional logistic regression.

Results

  • The researchers found varying proportions of YLF grades in the control and PL groups. Their findings demonstrated an increase in PL risk from the grade of YLF II.2 upwards.
  • Significantly, they found that three-quarters of the PL group had a laryngeal function of less or equal to grade II.2.
  • The odds ratio (OR) for horses with a YLF of grade II.2 was 3.4 times higher compared to horses with a YLF of grade I.

Limitations

  • The study acknowledged a lack of performance data to compare the control group to the PL group.
  • The control group may have developed disease and retired or underwent surgery elsewhere, indicating that the group was not disease-free.

Conclusions

  • Findings showed reasons for concern because a notable proportion of horses deteriorated in their laryngeal function post-sale.
  • Moreover, a higher grade of YLF at sale correlated with an increased chance of requiring a laryngoplasty later in life.

Cite This Article

APA
Hardwick JL, Ahern BJ, Crawford KL, Allen KJ, Franklin SH. (2024). Yearling laryngeal function in Thoroughbreds that underwent a laryngoplasty differs from controls. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14110

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Hardwick, Josephine L
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
Ahern, Benjamin J
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Crawford, Kylie L
  • Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Allen, Kate J
  • School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Franklin, Samantha H
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Hardwick JL, Ahern BJ, Crawford KL, Allen KJ, Anderson BH, Rose KJ, Franklin SH. Yearling laryngeal function grades II.2 and below are not associated with reduced performance. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):953-966.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14452pubmed: 39837796google scholar: lookup
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