Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), or bleeding in the lungs after exercise, costs the United States horse racing industry a great deal–estimated at up to $260 million per year by Kenneth W. Hinchcliff, BVSc, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, of The Ohio State University. During his presentation at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 3-7 in Seattle, Wash., he discussed the prevalence of the disease and its economic and performance effects on U.S. Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses.


“Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage is ubiquitous among Thoroughbred racehorses throughout the world, and there is no apparent important geographic variation in incidence of the condition,” he noted.


One study examining Thoroughbreds via endoscopy after a single race found that 55% exhibited EIPH to some degree, he reported. After following the horses for three races, 85% bled after at least one race. Standardbred racehorses showed a prevalence rate of 87% after at least one of three races. Using examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL; “washing” of a part of the lung with fluid and collecting the fluid for analysis) fluid, one study found that almost all Thoroughbreds racing or in race training examined had evidence of EIPH (more on diagnosis in a moment).


“The risk factors for EIPH are not well defined,” Hinchcliff said. “Suggested factors include age, distance, speed, track surface, and environmental conditions

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