Little information is available comparing the i-STAT and the YSI 2300 Stat Plus devices to determine the lactate concentration [Lac] in dogs undergoing intense exercise. The reproducibility of the YSI 2300 for quantifying the [Lac] in canine blood [Lac]b and plasma [Lac]p samples has been observed. In addition, the i-STAT handheld device was used to quantify [Lac] in dogs subjected to exercise, and the results were compared with that of YSI 2300. Venous blood samples of Beagle and American Pit Bull Terrier dogs were obtained during an intense exercise training on a treadmill. [Lac]p and [Lac]b were quantified using the YSI 2300 instrument to determine the reproducibility of the results. A total of 52 specimens were compared for both plasma and whole blood. For comparing the devices (YSI 2300 vs i-STAT), 96 samples were used. Ordinary least products regression, the correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the agreement of using the i-STAT device. The relationship between duplicate measurements of both [Lac]b and [Lac]p by YSI 2300 was strong (r=0.99). A correlation between the data obtained using the i-STAT and YSI 2300 instruments was observed for both the [Lac]p (r=0.97) and [Lac]b (r=0.88). The i-STAT exhibited a small constant bias (-0.25 mmol/l) compared to YSI 2300 ([Lac]b). There were proportional biases of 0.89 mmol/l for [Lac]p and 1.22 mmol/l for [Lac]b when using YSI 2300 vs i-STAT. We confirmed the reproducibility of the YSI 2300 for canine lactate blood/plasma samples. The results obtained by the i-STAT and YSI 2300 analyser were highly correlated, but a small constant bias was observed between them. The i-STAT device can be used in clinical evaluations, and it is also adequate for designing and monitoring fitness programmes.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar em equino a influência do exercício progressivo e intenso realizado em esteira de alta

Evaluations of the physical fitness of Thoroughbred racehorses have been correlated with race earnings, but few reports exist about the influence of the distance exercised during training on both physical conditioning indices and financial productivity. During one training season sixteen claiming Thoroughbred horses

There are few studies that approach the epidemiology of deaths in racehorses in a broad manner. The majority focus on a specific affection or procedure. Brazil does not have a program instituted for the monitoring of deaths of horses. By means of a descriptive study in association with a multivariate analysis method, an epidemiologic profile was determined for deaths related to musculoskeletal (MS), gastrointestinal (GI), respiratory (RES) systems, neurologic origin (NEU) and sudden death (SD) for the years of 2002 to 2008, at the Octavio Dupont Veterinary Hospital-Rio de Janeiro (ODVH). Males comprised the majority of deaths and that deaths were related to, decreasing order, MS>GI>SD>NEU>RES, with respect to general mortality rate per large group of determined causes (TSPMr). The majority of deaths registered included horses aged four to five years (ID4-ID5). We observed the following correspondence relations: (3-year period = SM - ID>5 - SD; ID>5 - GI; ID4-5 - MS; SF - ID<4 - RES/ NEU); (4-year period = SM - ID>5 - GI; SF - ID<4 - NEU; ID4-5 - MS; GI - ID>5). The present study points out the importance and necessity of epidemiologic studies of lesions in horses, based on diagnosis for the recognition of predisposing factors and prevention.

It is well established in the literature that musculoskeletal injuries are important compromising agents in the performance of Thoroughbred horses. In Brazil, there