Are bar shoes and ambient temperature risk factors for exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in Thoroughbred racehorses?
Ambient temperature is a risk factor for EIPH in Thoroughbred racehorses, with lower temperatures associated with increased risk. Bar shoes are a novel risk factor for EIPH in this population.
With the fastest 10% of samples being reported within 35 minutes (haematology) and 1 hour 5 minutes (biochemistry) of request, our study showed that delays can be attributable to laboratory TAT. Given the limited ability to further improve laboratory processes, the solutions to improving TAT need to come from a collaborative and integrated approach that includes strategies before samples reach the laboratory and downstream review of results.