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  Discussion on Research Summary: Subclinical Disease and Poor Performance
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Aug 5, 2011 - 6:09 am:

Here is a piece of research that holds no surprise at all. Many poor performing athletes have subclincial disease of the cardiopulmonary or the muscoskeletal system. What I like about this study is it supports a notion that there is a fairly objective testing method to rule in what would be considered a subclinical disease: blood lactate levels during standardized exercise regimens.
DrO


Vet Rec. 2011 Jul 27.

Subclinical diseases underlying poor performance in endurance horses: diagnostic methods and predictive tests.

Fraipont A, Van Erck E, Ramery E, Richard E, Denoix JM, Lekeux P, Art T.
Source

Equine Sports Medicine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, B-4000 Liege, Belgium.

Abstract
Thirty-eight endurance horses underwent clinical and ancillary examinations, including haematological and biochemical evaluation, standardised exercise tests both on a treadmill and in the field, Doppler echocardiography, impulse oscillometry, video endoscopy and collection of respiratory fluids. All of the examined poorly performing horses were affected by subclinical diseases, and most of them had multiple concomitant disorders. On the contrary, the well-performing horses were free of any subclinical disease. The most frequently diagnosed diseases were respiratory disorders, followed by musculoskeletal and cardiac problems. Poor performers exhibited lower speeds at blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/l (VLA4) and at heart rates of 160 (V160) and 200 bpm (V200) on the treadmill and in the field, as well as slower recovery of heart rate.
New Member:
carylann

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 9, 2011 - 7:46 pm:

So, Dr. O. About 10 yrs ago you led me in the direction of a Diagnosis of EPSM in one of my horses. I am very interested in the direction I should go with exercise intolerance in my cushings horse on pergolide. Im unsure if I need a second opinion as I feel another system is affected. My question about his exhaution on rides to his vet was a response of growth hormone supplimentation.
Would I have to take him to a university for evaluation or maybe just start with ekg on exercise? Should I continue post after my other on cushings? Heavy breathing and profuse sweating on hills is his symptoms. He stops, we let him rest then he is ok for awhile. Thanks, Caryl P. s Im a small animal vet so have some ability to do some tests myself.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 - 8:54 am:

Hello DrK,
I would take this back to your original post so that we have the background. When you do give me some more details about the growth hormone comment. More detail on the exercise intolerence (length of the ride, steepness of the hill, environmental conditions) would help us evaluate the problems with exercise. We are traveling right now so responses have been a bit slow but I will watch for you.
DrO
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