Blood Biomarkers May Prevent Equine Fractures
Thoroughbred Hearings Missed Research Colorado Vet Says
Sep 16, 2008
It is the belief of Dr. McIlwraith that catasrophic fractures that often result in equine deaths may be prevented by the simple periodic use of blood tests. Newly explored blood biomarkers research, a topic that didn't reach the platform of the Thoroughbred safety hearings launched by the United States Congress in June, has made the prevention of catastrophic fractures and severe injuries a real possibility, according to the veterinarian, a professor of surgery and the director of Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University (The Blood-Horse, September 6, 2008, page 4438).
New Technology Proven Effective
Microdamage precedes catastrophic fractures, says Dr. McIlwraith. This minute damage can be successfully detected as early as six weeks before a major injury might occur, with a 70% accuracy rate, by analyzing blood biomarkers from the individual. Preliminary studies have shown that using the new technology of blood biomarkers is a safe and effective alternative to the impractical use of CT scans and MRI to test large numbers of equines.
The most recent study of biomarkers testing was funded by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and performed on active Thoroughbreds in Southern California, Dr. McIlwraith states.
Thoroughbred Hearings Didn't Include Research Results
Dr. McIlwraith commented that he had hoped to discuss the new biomarkers testing in detail at the June 19 "Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse" Congressional hearing. He was invited to the hearing, along with three other veterinarians, supposedly to speak to the issue of fatal breakdowns of Thoroughbreds.
The use of medications, differing racing surfaces, training practices, two-year-old racing, and the durability of today's horse were all on Dr. McIlwraith's personal speaking agenda, he indicated.
"However, the positive work taking place wasn't fully explored that day," Dr. McIlwraith observed.
How Biomarkers Detection Works
Thoroughbreds, in particular, have been prone to catastrophic fractures in recent high profile cases, (Barbaro, 2006 Preakness Stakes; George Washington, 2007 Breeders' Cup; Eight Belles, 2008 Kentucky Derby), which Dr. McIlwraith views as possibly preventable with the use of stress-testing that can reveal bones and individuals at risk.
Detecting microdamage, or breakdown of cartilage and bone, can screen horses who are at risk to incur greater injury, or career-ending and sometimes life-ending fractures. The fetlock joint, which includes condylar and biaxial sesamoid bones, can suffer micro fractures that lead to catastrophic breakdowns.
An adopted routine of taking monthly samples of blood biomarkers could pinpoint risk factors, with the resulting recommendation that the individual be taken out of training until the detected microdamage could heal. Further damage, possibly catastrophic, would be altered.
McIlwraith Addressed The Blood-Horse After Hearings
Dr. McIlwraith said his statements in The Blood-Horse were intended to better inform the Thoroughbred industry and the public about the research being conducted concerning fatal and crippling injuries in the equine.
"...advances in veterinary research and technology," he said, "are hopefully going to allow us to see a day when most horses receive care and treatment before a severe injury occurs."
