For two individuals, TT065 and TT995, the coughing frequency was statistically significantly increased in late summer 2024 (red ring).
For the two other individuals, there were no significant increases. This can be due to a decrease in sum of coughs for the four individuals this year compared to previous years.
Comparing the total cough count for the four dolphins in 2024 with previous years shows a decrease this year. In 2024, some increases occurred but did not reach significance.
Here, we’ve got the results for the two individuals with significant increases in coughing. You can see their mean daily cough count over seven days surrounding the test day and the spirometry variable Te, which is mean expiratory duration. Spirometry coincided with only one significant coughing peak, which was TT065 in week 31 (red ring). Moreover, the blue dashed line marks that blood tests showed signs of inflammation that week. Overall, coughing frequency significantly correlated with expiratory duration.