Kate J Allen

University of Bristol | UB · School of Veterinary Sciences

Exercise-induced upper airway collapse (UAC) probably occurs when the stabilising muscles of the upper airway are unable to withstand the dramatic changes in airflow and pressure that occurs during exercise. In racehorses, the mainstay of treatment is surgical intervention. In human athletes, exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction has been treated...

Although inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is reported to improve inspiratory muscle strength in humans little has been reported for horses. We tested the hypothesis that IMT would maintain and/or improve inspiratory muscle strength variables measured in Thoroughbreds during detraining. Thoroughbreds from one training yard were placed into a contro...

Background Inspiratory muscle training applies a training stimulus directly to the inspiratory muscles and is distinct from whole‐body training. The potential benefits of inspiratory muscle training have yet to be explored in horses. Objectives The objectives were as follows: (a) to develop an equine‐specific method of testing and training inspira...

Although inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is reported to improve inspiratory muscle strength in humans little has been reported for horses. We tested the hypothesis that IMT would maintain and/or improve inspiratory muscle strength variables measured in Thoroughbreds during detraining. Thoroughbreds from one training yard were placed into a contro...

Objective To determine the proportion of horses treated by laryngoplasty prosthesis removal (LPR) for complications associated with prosthetic laryngoplasty (LP), the reason for LPR, and the outcome of horses undergoing LPR to manage iatrogenic coughing/dysphagia. Study design Retrospective study. Sample population Client‐owned horses treated wit...

Objective To determine the efficacy and dermal tolerance of a novel alcohol‐based skin antiseptic (ABSA) in horses. Study Design Experimental study. Animal Population Systemically healthy horses (n = 25) with no history or clinical signs of skin disease. Methods Four clipped sites on the abdomen were randomly assigned to a skin preparation proto...

Objective: To investigate the effect of postsurgical pain on the performance of horses in a novel object and auditory startle task. Study design: Prospective clinical study. Animals: Twenty horses undergoing different types of surgery and 16 control horses that did not undergo surgery. Methods: The interaction of 36 horses with novel objects...

In human sporting events the difference between finishing first and second is often less than 1%. For each sporting discipline it is important to know how large an enhancement of performance needs to be before it makes a difference to the medal winning prospects of that athlete. In contrast to the known winning margins in many human sporting discip...

In contrast to other athletic species such as people and greyhounds, which switch from nasal breathing at rest to oral breathing during exercise, the horse is an obligate nasal breather even during strenuous exercise. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) is a condition that occurs during exercise when the caudal border of the soft palate b...

Heart rate and rhythm can readily be monitored during exercise. Although there is considerable variation depending on the athletic discipline, exercise can be considered to be one of the most physiologically demanding times for the cardiovascular system. Assessment of heart rate during exercise typically provides information regarding fitness and t...

Dynamic upper respiratory tract (URT) obstructions occur commonly in the equine athlete. During the past 25 years, veterinary diagnostic capabilities have improved greatly with the ability to perform endoscopy during exercise and thus to visualise upper airway function during various types of exercise. After correctly reproducing and diagnosing an...

In the last decade there have been significant technological advances and increases in the availability of portable diagnostic equipment for use in the assessment of athletic performance. The design and application of appropriate exercise tests are critical factors for the diagnosis of conditions affecting equine performance and it is therefore nec...

A horse was presented for soft palate thermocautery and surgical advancement of the larynx under general anaesthesia, following a history of respiratory noise and poor athletic performance. Physical examination prior to surgery was unremarkable. The horse was anaesthetised and a 20 mm cuffed endotracheal tube (ETT) used to intubate the trachea via...

The laryngeal tie-forward (LTF) procedure has been shown to move the larynx rostrally and dorsally whilst repositioning the basihyoid bone caudally and dorsally. Other studies have shown that the position of the hyoid bones influences the size of the nasopharynx. The effect of the LTF procedure on the size of the nasopharynx is unknown. It was hypo...

Reasons for performing studyThere is very limited published information on the prevalence and significance of abnormal breathing patterns adopted during canter/gallop.Objectives The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of abnormal breathing patterns during canter/gallop and to investigate whether these may be associated with dynamic upper...

Introduction Poll flexion may play an important role in the development of dynamic upper respiratory tract ( URT ) collapse. However, limited investigations have been performed in Standardbred racehorses. Methods Eight Standardbreds were examined during training, once flexed and once in extension, using a randomised crossover design. Head position...

Reason for performing study: Two forms of dynamic upper respiratory tract obstruction affecting racehorses that involve the soft palate have been described: palatal instability (PI) and dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Observation of DDSP is straightforward in that it is an all or nothing event, whereas observation of PI is subjectiv...

Reason for performing study: The effect of palatal instability (PI) on measures of ventilation and gas exchange is not well understood. Objectives: To assess to what degree different severities of naturally occurring palatal dysfunction affect ventilation and gas exchange during strenuous exercise. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using...

There are numerous treatments for correction of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). However, the efficacy of these treatments is controversial and there is little consensus on how best to treat this condition. The aims of this study were to systematically review the literature and to assess the evidence on the clinical effects of interve...

The importance of undertaking appropriate exercise tests for the diagnosis of dynamic upper respiratory tract (URT) obstructions has been previously documented. Dynamic URT collapse is usually most severe during peak exercise; however, there are occasions when an URT collapse appears more severe during the immediate recovery period. In addition, eq...

During the past 20 years, treadmill exercise testing has played an important role in both the study of equine exercise physiology and the investigation of poor athletic performance. However, it has been suggested that some trainers and veterinarians may be reluctant to refer horses for treadmill exercise testing because of fears that horses may be...

Overground endoscopy is being performed with increasing frequency in the UK. A previous study has shown that the type of exercise test may affect the diagnosis of upper respiratory tract (URT) obstructions. The successful clinical application of overground endoscopy systems requires understanding of appropriate field exercise testing protocols. The...

To date there is no information on the comparison of the more recently documented technique of performing endoscopy during ridden exercise in the field, with the more traditional method of endoscopy during high-speed treadmill exercise. To compare the results of upper respiratory tract endoscopy in UK Thoroughbred racehorses performed during ridden...

SummaryA 13-year-old Irish Draught cross gelding was referred for abnormal respiratory noise at low level exercise. Bilateral laryngeal paralysis was observed during the resting endoscopic examination. Blood samples revealed lead toxicosis and subsequent soil analysis confirmed high lead levels. Treatment with the lead chelating agent calcium disod...

This Case Report describes a weanling filly with protein-losing enteropathy associated with Lawsonia intracellularis infection. This was diagnosed on the basis of a significant antibody response and a positive faecal PCR result. The histopathological lesion observed in proliferative enteropathy is mucosal hyperplasia, commonly affecting the ileum a...

Dynamic collapse of the upper respiratory tract (URT) is a common cause of poor performance in horses. These conditions occur predominantly during strenuous exercise when the URT is unable to maintain dilation in the face of high inspiratory pressures. In most cases, these disorders cannot be accurately diagnosed during a resting endoscopic examina...

Equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) is commonly recognised in Thoroughbred racehorses. Although EGUS has previously been associated with reduced athletic performance, no objective studies have been reported. This case report describes 4 racehorses referred for investigation of poor athletic performance where EGUS was the only abnormal finding...

RESPIRATORY disease continues to be a major problem for horse owners and trainers worldwide. Lower airway inflammation is now recognised in a range of animals, from aged ponies to young racehorses. This article discusses recent developments in the definitions and understanding of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and inflammatory airway disease (I...

Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is thought to be an important cause of poor performance in young Thoroughbred racehorses. However, little study has been made of IAD in older National Hunt (NH) horses. To determine the prevalence of IAD in NH racehorses referred for investigation of poor athletic performance and identify some of the risk factors t...