In the last 10 or 15 years we have stopped taking the temperature at each vet
check. These perple became "P&R takers."
The problem with this is that, as you alluded to in your message, there is no
way to discern between panting due to heat and panting due to hypoxia.
The respiratory rate is the number of breaths (full cycle, in+out counts as
one) per minute. Inversion is defined as respiratory rate greater than
cardiac rate (pulse). Panting is any increase in respiratory rate (vague).
In most rides that I vet I ask the assistant to only take the pulse (are they
now "P people"?). I do not set a criteria for respiratory rates. This
should be up to the veterinarian.
There are several general causes of increased respiratory rates. Some
worrisome, some will go away momentarily without notice. Increased core
temperature is a very common cause that while normal, in excess it can be
very damaging.
It is my guess that whomever told you Icelandic horses could not participate
knew of some of that breed that had difficulty getting rid of heat. While it
is true that Icelandic horses are not known for their ability to tolerate
desert temperatures, there are alwaysthe exception in every breed.
C. Mike Tomlinson DVM
Tomlinson Equine
CMikeT@AOL.com
Mike@Tomlinson.com
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Forwarded message:
From: jpu@kaiwan.com (JOSEPH PETER UHLARIK JR)
Sender: owner-endurance@moscow.com
To: endurance@moscow.com
CC: jpu@kaiwan.com
Date: 95-05-24 00:04:09 EDT
Based on an experience at a competitive trail ride clinic this past
weekend I have a question relating to just how respiration rate is
defined for purposes of taking P&R (pulse and respiration).
As a portion of the clinic, a short simulated trail ride was done.
At the P&R stop, those of us that did not bring horses did the taking
of P&R. It was done as a learning experience and therefore more time
was taken and discussions went on that I am sure would not take place
on a real ride.
One horse looked to me to have an "obviously" high respiration rate.
In fact it looked to me that it was an inversion (respiration rate
higher than pulse rate.) The explanation given for it being ok was that
the horse was panting and that was not the respiration rate. Although
we took several moments to discuss it, it is not clear yet as how one
differentiates between panting and respiration rate. It is not clear to
me that it is possible to take the respiration rate on a horse that is
panting.
I am wondering if someone can explain it in a way that might make more
sense to me.
Just to further illustrate the situation, I was told that until a few years
ago Icelandic horses could not participate because panting was so normal
for them that they would "always" come up with an inversion. I was told that
it required a letter from the breed association stating that this breathing
pattern is normal.
If anyone can help out on this question, it is appreciated. Thanks.
Joe jpu@kaiwan.com