Sub-clinical diseases affecting performance in Standardbred trotters: diagnostic methods and predictive parameters.
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.
Richard
Eric A
EA
CIRALE-IPC, RD 675, 14430 Goustranville, France. eric.richard@doct.ulg.ac.be
Fortier
Guillaume D
GD
Pitel
Pierre-Hugues
PH
Dupuis
Marie-Capucine
MC
Valette
Jean-Paul
JP
Art
Tatiana
T
Denoix
Jean-Marie
JM
Lekeux
Pierre M
PM
Erck
Emmanuelle Van
EV
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*
D015415:Biomarkers; D007773:Lactates