Colic and gastrointestinal health in the horse are the subjects of the annual Equine Medicine Symposium of the student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) at the University of California, Davis. The symposium is scheduled for May 8, and proceeds will help fund wetlabs and other activities for students as well as help send several to the 2010 AAEP convention.

Symposium topics include discussions of what colic is, what to do if your horse colics, surgical colic, and how to prevent gastrointestinal problems in your horse. John Madigan, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, and a professor in the department of medicine and epidemiology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, will host a news hour. Attendees will tour a surgical suite, see a demonstration of a physical exam and a typical colic work-up, and have access to interactive stations on how to perform home diagnostics involving sand and manure, parasites, and toxic plants.

Cost of the all-day symposium is $60 for ages 14 and over and $30 for under 14 through May 1. After that date, the cost is $70 for 14 and over and $35 for under 14. Breakfast and lunch are included. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the symposium starts at 8:30 a.m. For further information, visit https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/clubs/emc/symp.html.

The UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team will hold its first fund-raising tri-tip dinner immediately following the symposium from 5-8 p.m. The $15 event will include a live band, commentary by Madigan, large animal lift demonstrations, and a silent auction. For further information on the dinner, visit https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/clubs/VERT/fundraiser.html