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  Discussion on Racing Filly has me confused!
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2000 - 7:43 am:

Hi:
I have a 3yr old pacing (standardbred) filly. A previous post about her was "For 16 months I'm told my filly has enemia"
"Lady" had only 2 starts last year as a two year old. What ended her short season was the endoscopic results after a poor training session. With blood (traces) evident in the scope, we decided to quit with her. She was treated with Sputalycin (sp?), Ventipulmin and was turned out daily for 2 months.
As recommended by the veterinarian, we had her re-scoped once she was trained down to 2:20. That was in January - and the results were excellent, so we carried on. Lady's never been a "blower" after training, has shown no signs of allergies, and has never been sick; (snotting/fever/
cough) This past Friday we attempted qualifying Lady. Due to a poor finish in the mile, she was once again scoped. A 'trickle' of blood was once again evident in the scope exam. There was no mucous nor pimples present. The vet has put her back on ventipulmin, and feels allergies are suspect. Another blood will be tested. I'm sure in the "historical" track way - cold; not after being jogged. Her last blood was drawn 3 wks ago with excellent results (as previously posted) so I'm confused at disiphering what's going on with her. I'll update as the results come back.

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2000 - 10:05 am:

I think it is very normal for TB racing horses to bleed following racing. I am less sure about SBs. See the article and the numerous scientific references for more info.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2000 - 9:54 pm:

Dr. O:
With the number of standardbreds I've either owned,trained or my husband has driven during the past 25 years I don't believe bleeding is considered normal following a race.
With Lasix no longer being banned, I randomly selected a racing program to see just how many horses race with the need of Lasix. From the 103 horses programmed, only 7 were listed using this substance.
I suppose I believed and was hopeful that Lady's first bleeding episode (at two) which resulted in her two month turn-out was viral related, treated, and would not reappear. This was the prognosis from our vet last August.
Todays hemo results have come back very good, as well as her muscle count and her physical exam; no lameness. She was re-scoped after training (not racing) and scoped clean, was administered a DMSO jug as well as wormed (stomach tube). Since her yearling purchase, she's never been sick, coughed, fever nor snotted. What most confuses me, is having a filly that would "appear" to have a massive lung capacity (never blows) would bleed and be considered having allergies. I of course have wondered if she perhaps had a virus sometime between her birth and sale? I've also questioned if perhaps the administration of Eq-stim may have been a causing factor. My reading on this subject in the forum relates its use for respiratory purpose. The recommendation in Ladys case was solely to stimulate her immune system to boost her RBC. It had a severely adverse effect on both her RBC, her attitude and appetite in general. It seems odd, that now, without the aid of anything, her RBC is great, yet she's diagnosed with respiratory problems. I'm not a vet, which is why I'm asking you for your thoughts and expertise. Thanking you in advance.

Posted on Thursday, Feb 24, 2000 - 10:52 am:

Hello Nancy,
There would be little relation between her RBC count and respiratory problems like EIPH.

I would review her general health and consider having a BAL or TTW (see Equine Diseases: Respiratory System: Chronic Lower Airway Disease ) to identify any occult lower respiratory diseases. Even the diagnosis allergies appears to be complicated by several types of allergies that are treated a little differently.

If all comes back normal, I would give her three weeks of light work, retrain, and race under Lasix.
DrO
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