Tracheobronchoscopic Assessment of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage and Airway Inflammation in Barrel Racing Horses.
BACKGROUND
Poor performance is often suspected to be associated with EIPH in barrel racing horses; however, there are no published reports of EIPH for this discipline. The prevalence of EIPH in barrel racing horses is also unknown.


OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to determine the prevalence of EIPH and signs of airway inflammation in barrel racing horses under normal racing conditions in Alberta.


METHODS
About 170 barrel racing horses.


METHODS
Observational cross-sectional study. Tracheobronchoscopic examinations were performed at least 30 minutes postrace. Video recordings were scored off-site independently by two observers for EIPH and tracheal mucus accumulation (TMA). Horses with an EIPH score ≥2 were not assessed for TMA. Interobserver agreement was calculated by weighted κ statistics. Run times, environmental variables, and clinical information were also recorded for analysis.


RESULTS
77/170 (45.3%) of horses examined showed evidence of EIPH (grade ≥ 1). Interobserver agreement was 0.94. 140/141 (99.3%) of horses assessed for TMA showed evidence of tracheal mucus accumulation (grade ≥ 1) with 104/141 (73.8%) having a TMA score ≥ 2. Interobserver agreement was 0.73. A weak positive association was found between EIPH scores and average run speed, the presence of cough at rest reported by the riders, increased recovery time, exercise intolerance, and outdoor pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of EIPH observed in the sampled population indicates that barrel racing induces substantial stress on the lungs. The presence of EIPH did not impact negatively on performance. Factors such as environmental dust and frequent traveling might have contributed to the high prevalence of TMA observed.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Services, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.|Moore Equine Veterinary Centre, 260048A Writing Creek Cres, Rocky View County, AB, T4A 0M9, Canada.
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R
Léguillette
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Services, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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M
Steinmann
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Services, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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SL
Bond
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Services, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.|Moore Equine Veterinary Centre, 260048A Writing Creek Cres, Rocky View County, AB, T4A 0M9, Canada.
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B
Stanton
D000818:Animals; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal
Endoscopy; Tracheal blood; Tracheal mucus; Western performance