Search

Reasons for performing study: Furosemide is the most commonly used medication for exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH); however, critical evaluation of the strength of evidence for efficacy of furosemide is lacking and is warranted so that evidence-based treatment decisions can be made. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of furosemide to reduce the severity or frequency of detection of EIPH in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. Study design: Systematic review with meta-analyses. Methods: Primary studies were identified via searches of electronic databases, relevant texts and reference lists of published articles. Studies were not restricted by date or publication status. Only studies published in English were eligible for inclusion. Searches were performed using a predetermined search string. Randomised controlled trials, nonrandomised trials and observational studies were included. Three authors independently assessed each study using the Cochrane collaboration guidelines and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation recommendations for rating quality of evidence. Meta-ana lysis of studies was performed with pooled data to determine whether furosemide reduced the frequency of detection of EIPH (yes or no) as evaluated by tracheobronchoscopy or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid red blood cell number, or if furosemide reduced the severity of EIPH by at least one tracheobronchoscopic grade. Results: Seventeen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The relative risk of detecting any EIPH by tracheobronchoscopy after administration of furosemide was 0.88 (pooled data from 11 studies, n = 5780; 95% confidence interval 0.79-0.97, P = 0.01 ). When data from only high-quality randomised controlled trials (2 studies, n = 405) were used, the relative risk of detecting endoscopically evident EIPH was 0.68 (95% confidence interval 0.58-0.79, P<0.001). The proportion of horses previously diagnosed with EIPH having a reduction of at least one EIPH grade after furosemide was 68% (2 studies, n = 405; 95% confidence interval 61-78%). Conclusions: There is high-quality evidence, albeit limited, that administration of furosemide reduces the incidence and severity of EIPH in Thoroughbred orStandardbred racehorses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasons for performing study: Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) occurs commonly in Thoroughbred racehorses worldwide. While EIPH is believed to be an important cause of impaired performance in these horses, there is limited evidence from sufficiently powered studies to evaluate this association. Objectives: To evaluate whether EIPH is associated with finishing position, distance finished behind race winners and differences in race earning among Thoroughbred horses racing in South Africa. Study design: Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: One thousand Thoroughbred horses racing in South Africa were enrolled prior to a single race and underwent tracheobronchoscopic examination within 2 h of racing. Three observers, blinded to the horses' identity and race performance, independently evaluated EIPH occurrence and severity using video recordings of the examination. Data were analysed using multivariable logistic and linear regression while controlling for important horse and race factors as potential confounding variables. Results: Overall, 68% of horses had evidence of EIPH (grade ≥ 1). Horses without evidence of EIPH (severity grade 0), when compared with horses with any evidence of EIPH (grade ≥ 1), were >2 times more likely to win races (odds ratio = 2.3; 95% confidence interval 1.4-3.7; P = 0.001), finished an average of one length ahead of horses with EIPH (P = 0.03), and were 2.5 times more likely to be in the highest decile in race earnings (odds ratio = 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.1, P<0.001 ). However, no association was identified regarding finishing in the top 3 positions or earning money when analysed as a continuous variable or analysed as any winnings vs. none. Conclusions: Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage was associated with impaired performance in Thoroughbred racehorses not medicated with furosemideand not using nasal dilator strips. These findings provide strong corroboration of previous research indicating that the occurrence of EIPH has a major impact on the ability of Thoroughbred racehorses to compete successfully as elite athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasons for performing study: Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is associated with impaired short-term race performance but consequences to long-term race performance of Thoroughbred racehorses are unknown. Knowledge of effects of EIPH on performance overa prolonged time would inform the need for management and treatment of this disorder. Objectives: To determine the relationship between EIPH detected on a single occasion and long-term athletic performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. Study design: Prospective, longitudinal, observational epidemiological study conducted from 2003 to 2012. Methods: Seven hundred and forty-four Thoroughbred racehorses underwent a single tracheobronchoscopic examination to determine presence and severity of EIPH in 2003. Following retirement of all the horses from racing, career after examination and lifetime performance data (including career duration, earnings, starts, wins and placings) were abstracted from a commercial database. The association between presence and severity of EIPH and individual performance variables were analysed using survival analysis, linear regression and negative binomial regression. Results: No association was detected between the presence of any EIPH (grade ≥ 1) and all measures of long-term performance examined except that horses with EIPH (grade ≥2) had fewer earnings after endoscopic examination than did horses with mild EIPH orno EIPH (grades ≤ 1). Multiple associations were detected between the most severe form of EIPH (grade 4) and measures of long-term performance suggesting that the severity of EIPH commonly associated with epistaxis adversely affects either the horse's opportunity to race or physiologic capacity to race. Conclusions: We conclude that there is no association between EIPH grades 0, 1, 2 and 3 and long-term racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses. These results are based on a single endoscopic evaluation of EIPH grade made during a horse's career. Further studies are required to determine the reasons foran association of severe (grade 4) EIPH with impaired long-term race performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Reasons for performing study: Risk factors for occult exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) are poorly defined or quantified. Objectives: To investigate the importance of putative risk factors for EIPH amongst Thoroughbred racehorses in Australia. Methods: Tracheobronchoscopy was used to determine EIPH status of 744 Thoroughbred racehorses after flat racing in Melbourne, Australia. Horses were identified for study before racing, and over 50% of horses racing during the study period were examined. Statistical analysis included use of bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to account for simultaneous effects of a large number of variables. Results: The only risk factor identified as associated with both EIPH ≥1 or ≥2 was ambient temperature, with horses racing at temperatures <20°C being at ∼ 2 times risk of occult EIPH. There was no association of EIPH with age, sex, weight carried, track hardness, speed of racing, or air quality. Conclusions: There do not appear to be individual risk factors, amongst those examined in this study, that are strongly associated with EIPH. Potential relevance: The risk of developing EIPH cannot be readily determined from a combination of age, race speed, race distance, track hardness or air quality. This study does not provide support for the hypotheses that racing on hard surfaces or in polluted air contributes to the development of EIPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insulin resistance has been associated with risk of laminitis in horses. Genes coding for proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines are expressed more in visceral adipose tissue than in subcutaneous adipose tissue of insulin-resistant (IR) humans and rodents. Hypothesis/Objectives: To investigate adipose depot-specific cytokine and chemokine gene expression in horses and its relationship to insulin sensitivity (SI). Animals: Eleven light breed mares. Methods: Animals were classified as IR (SI = 0.58 ± 0.31 × 10−4 L/min/mU; n = 5) or insulin sensitive (IS; SI = 2.59 ± 1.21 × 10−4 L/min/mU; n = 6) based on results of a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Omental, retroperitoneal, and mesocolonic fat was collected by ventral midline celiotomy; incisional nuchal ligament and tail head adipose tissue biopsy specimens were collected concurrently. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in each depot was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed by 2-way analysis of variance for repeated measures ( P < .05). Results: No differences in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, PAI-1, or MCP-1 mRNA concentrations were noted between IR and IS groups for each depot. Concentrations of mRNA coding for IL-1β ( P= .0005) and IL-6 ( P= .004) were significantly higher in nuchal ligament adipose tissue than in other depots. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These data suggest that the nuchal ligament depot has unique biological behavior in the horse and is more likely to adopt an inflammatory phenotype than other depots examined. Visceral fat may not contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity-related disorders in the horse as in other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serum immunoglobulin dynamics have not been studied in racing sled dogs, despite hypoglobulinemia having been reported during racing events. Hypothesis/Objectives: Hypoglobulinemia in racing sled dogs is associated with decreases in serum IgA, IgE, IgG, and IgM concentrations during prolonged exercise. Animals: One hundred and fifty-seven Alaskan sled dogs that successfully completed a 1,000 mile race. Methods: Serum was obtained from 118 sled dogs within 1 month before the race and within 12 hours after completing the race. Serum also was obtained after 4 months of rest from 51 dogs that successfully completed the race, including 12 previously sampled dogs. Serum total protein ([TP]), albumin, and globulin ([Gl]) were measured, and serum IgA, IgE, IgG, and IgM were quantified by ELISA. Results: The proportion of dogs with [Gl] ≤ 2.2 g/dL was significantly greater immediately after racing (38 of 118 dogs, 32.2%) than before racing (21 of 118 dogs, 17.8%, P= .005). Four months after racing, [Gl] was ≤ 2.2 g/dL in 23.5% (12 of 51) of dogs. [IgG] was significantly lower before (8.21 ± 4.95 mg/mL) and immediately after (7.97 ± 5.62) racing compared with 4 months after racing (18.88 ± 5.76). Serum [IgM] and [IgE] were higher and [IgA] was lower before racing compared with immediately after racing. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Sled dogs participating in long-distance racing have substantial decreases in [IgG] in addition to decreases in [IgM] and [IgE]. The pronounced hypogammaglobulinemia observed in a large proportion of racing sled dogs might predispose them to infectious disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Reasons for performing study: Little information is available regarding the prevalence of abnormalities of the upper airway and their association with performance in the general population of Thoroughbred racehorses. Objectives: To describe the prevalence of selected abnormalities of the upper airway and their association with performance in Thoroughbred racehorses in Australia. Hypothesis: That abnormalities of the upper airway of Thoroughbred racehorses are associated with poor race performance. Methods: Rhinolaryngoscopy was performed after racing and presence and characteristics of abnormalities of the larynx and pharynx were recorded in a prospective cross-sectional study of Thoroughbred horses racing in Victoria, Australia. Results: Rhinolaryngoscopy was performed once on each of 744 horses over 3.5 months. Fifty abnormalities of the upper airway were detected in 47 horses (6.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.7-8.3%). Epiglottic entrapment was detected in 7 horses (0.9%, 95% CI 0.4-1.9%) and was significantly (P = 0.015) associated with superior performance. Grade 2 asymmetry (4 grade scale) of the left arytenoid cartilage was detected in 9 horses (1.2%, 95% CI 0.5-2.4%) and was also associated with superior performance (P<0.001). Ulceration or erosion of the mucosa of the axial surface of one or both arytenoids was detected in 18 horses (2.4%, 95% CI 1.3-3.8%) and was not associated with alterations in exercise performance (P = 0.31). Conclusions: Epiglottic entrapment, Grade 2 laryngeal asymmetry and mucosal erosions detected in Thoroughbred racehorses were not associated with impaired performance; therefore, surgical correction and concern over laryngeal function in horses with Grade 2 asymmetry may not be necessary in individuals performing to expectation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle glycogen synthesis depends on glucose availability. This study was undertaken to determine the glycemic and insulinemic response of horses to equal amounts of hydrolyzable carbohydrates (starch and sugar) in the form of one of three grain meals or intragastric administration of a glucose solution. In a randomized crossover design, seven horses were fed each of three grain meals (cracked corn, steamed oat groats, or rolled barley) or were infused intragastrically with glucose solution at 2 g of hydrolyzable carbohydrate (starch plus sugar) per kilogram of BW. The quantity of hydrolyzable carbohydrate ingested was not different among all treatments (P = 0.70). Plasma glucose concentration peaked in all four treatments by 1.5 to 2 h after feeding. Plasma glucose concentration remained higher than baseline in oat groats or barley-fed horses throughout 8 h, whereas plasma glucose returned to baseline by 5 to 6 h in corn-fed horses or after glucose administration. Meal consumption was slower in oat groats-fed horses than in corn-fed ones, which may confound the glycemic and insulinemic responses observed after grain feeding. Plasma glucose area under the curve (AUC) was 63% both in corn and oat groats and 57% in barley-fed horses compared with that of horses administered glucose (P = 0.13). Serum immunoreactive insulin concentration peaked between 2 and 3 h after feeding or glucose administration, and barley-fed horses had lower serum immunoreactive insulin concentration by 3 to 4 h than corn-fed horses or after glucose administration (P < 0.05). We conclude, in horses, ingestion of oat groats, corn, and barley result in similar plasma glucose AUC and, compared with the glycemic index of 100 as the glucose reference, corn, oat groats, and barley had a glycemic index of approximately 60. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Frusemide reduces pulmonary vascular pressures in resting horses and attenuates exercise-induced increases in these pressures in exercising horses. The mechanism underlying these effects of frusemide is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that the haemodynamic effects of frusemide are dependent on diuresis by examining the effect of frusemide in anaesthetised horses in which diuresis was prevented by ligation of ureters. Twenty four horses were assigned randomly to one of 4 treatments: 1) frusemide (1 mg/kg bwt i.v.) and intact ureters; 2) frusemide and ligated ureters; 3) saline placebo and ligated ureters; and 4) frusemide and phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg bwt i.v. 12 h and 15 min before frusemide) and ligated ureters. Frusemide administration to anaesthetised horses with intact ureters increased plasma total protein concentration and reduced mean right atrial, pulmonary artery and aortic pressures. There was no significant effect of frusemide administration on haemodynamic variables or plasma total protein concentration in horses with ligated ureters. The combination of frusemide and phenylbutazone increased mean right atrial, pulmonary artery and aortic pressures in horses with ligated ureters. This study demonstrates that, in anaesthetised horses, the haemodynamic effect of frusemide is dependent upon diuresis. We interpret these results as providing further evidence that the haemodynamic effect of frusemide in horses is attributable to a reduction in plasma and blood volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Twelve foals, age 3-9 months, examined at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1995 and 2000 were diagnosed with chronic pulmonary disease associated with marked interstitial opacity on radiographic examination. The most characteristic features were a history of respiratory disease of 1-3 months duration, marked clinical signs of respiratory disease, failure to yield a consistent pathogen from tracheobronchial aspirates and a predominantly interstitial pattern on thoracic radiographs. We attributed these signs to chronic interstitial pneumonia. Foals were treated with broad spectrum antimicrobial and corticosteroid drugs. All 12 foals were discharged alive from hospital and, of the 10 available for follow-up, all were disease-free and performing to expectation 5 months to 5 years after discharge. We conclude that chronic interstitial pneumonia, occuring in foals, is associated with a good prognosis and that corticosteroid therapy may be useful in its treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The purpose of this experiment was to determine if exercising horses, infected with influenza virus, exacerbates the severity of clinical disease. Eight horses were trained on a treadmill for 42 days and then challenged with aerosolised influenza A/equine/Kentucky/91 (H3N8). Following challenge, 4 horses (exercise group) continued training for 28 days, while the other 4 horses (nonexercise group) were confined to their stalls. All horses developed clinical signs within 36 h of challenge (fever, coughing, and mucopurulent nasal discharge) and clinical scores were greater in the exercise group. Horses developed fever from Days 1-11 post challenge (PC) and were tachypnoeic and tachycardic from Days 1-14 PC. All horses lost weight within 4 days PC, but the exercise group lost an average of 20 kg more than the nonexercise group. All horses developed pneumonia, and ultrasonography revealed pulmonary consolidation and oedema by Day 7 PC that was resolving by Day 14 PC. Endoscopy and transtracheal aspirates showed airway inflammation for up to 21 days PC. While the exercise group exhibited more severe signs of clinical disease, resolution occurred for both groups on approximately Day 14 PC, and no adverse effects were noted at the end of the study. However, the potential long term effects of exercising horses acutely infected with influenza virus are unknown. Until further research is conducted in this area, it appears prudent not to exercise affected horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Several body systems make critical contributions to the defence of blood volume, mean arterial pressure and plasma tonicity. These mechanisms ensure adequate blood flow to the working muscles and vital tissues along with the provision of adequate fluid volume for sweating and thermoregulation. The present paper integrates data from several recent studies that examined the neuroendocrine control of cardiovascular function in exercising horses. These studies focused on the effects of exercise on plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), arginine vasopressin (AVP), plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (ALDO), hormones associated with the regulation of blood pressure, the distribution of blood flow and the long term control of vascular fluid volume. Data were collected during incremental and endurance exercise, following frusemide administration and after splenectomy. Increases in ANP during exercise were associated with increased atrial pressure and stretching of the atrium. Increases in PRA and ALDO are correlated with increases in sympathetic activity during incremental exercise and with decreases in plasma Na [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The main purpose of this study was to describe the effect of glucose infusion on selected physiological variables and on the duration of treadmill exercise to fatigue. Six, 3-4 year old, clinically normal, Standardbred fillies were used in a randomised and balanced crossover design. The treatments were either an infusion of glucose (an initial bolus followed by an infusion rate adjusted during exercise to maintain glucose at approximately 9.0 mmol/l) or an infusion of a similar volume of normal saline. Saline was also infused during the first 30 min of recovery in both treatments. Treadmill speed and grade were 6.0 m/s and 2°. All horses underwent an exercise and dietary control period for 3 days prior to each treatment. A period of 7-10 days separated the treatments. Treadmill exercise duration was prolonged with glucose (89.8 min ± 15.4 s.e.m.) compared to saline (78.7 ± 12.4 min) (P<0.05). Plasma glucose concentrations were similar at rest and increased (P<0.05) above resting concentrations throughout exercise beginning at 15 min and 35 min for the glucose and saline trials, respectively. By 15 min of exercise, glucose concentrations were 8.72 ± 0.22 and 5.78 ± 0.28 mmol/l (P<0.05) for the glucose and the saline trials, respectively. Changes in haematocrit, plasma lactate, plasma total solids, plasma electrolytes, heart rate, core temperature, body weight and body water loss were similar for both treatments. An explanation for the glucose-induced prolongation of exercise could be the availability of additional substrate during exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The relationship between pedicle flap width and viable length was characterised for skin flaps of the flank in ponies. Four dorsally based, pedicle type skin flaps of 20 cm in length and 3, 6, 9 or 12 cm in width were created in a random sequence on one flank in each of 10 ponies. Flap survival length was assessed by skin texture and appearance, depilation of hair and wound healing at 14 days after surgery. There was considerable variation between animals in the viable length of flaps of the same width; however, a significant difference in the viable length of flaps of different widths was detected (P=0.002). The viable length of the 3 cm flaps was significantly different from that of the 12 cm flaps (9.69 ± 1.1 cm vs 12.97 ± 1.0 cm, mean ± se P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between flap width and viable length (r [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Frusemide is administered to large numbers of North American racehorses because of its putative prophylactic effect on exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). Two issues central to the use of frusemide in performance horses remain to be resolved: 1) Does frusemide reduce the incidence or severity of EIPH? and 2) does frusemide alter athletic performance or the capacity for muscular work, separate from any effect on EIPH? These issues are discussed, as is the reasoning that EIPH is, at least in part, a consequence of exertion induced high vascular transmural pressures and that reduction of these pressures by frusemide is the mechanism by which frusemide reduces the incidence or severity of EIPH. It is concluded that, on balance, it appears unlikely that frusemide reduces the incidence of EIPH, although it may reduce the severity of haemorrhage. The evidence that frusemide is ergogenic is evaluated and a potential mechanism for an effect of frusemide on athletic capacity, the frusemide induced reduction in body weight, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

See article by Preston et al. and also response by Preston and Riggs See article by Preston et al. and also response by Preston and Riggs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one on quality of clinical trials concerning dogs and cats, and another on design and reporting of clinical trials.

The article discusses changes to this issue of the "Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine," which is the first issue to be published by Wiley-Blackwell.

The article focuses on the life and works of veterinarian and college professor Otto Martin Radostits. He has been internationally recognized for his expertise of writing and authorship of veterinary texts in large animal medicine. Some of his most notable contributions to the journal has been mentioned including his many other publications that are significant to the global veterinary medical education.