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Skip Navigation LinksAll Horse Topics > Basic Health Care > Recovering from Injury/Surgery


Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Improving the Outcome after Tendon and Ligament Injuries
Tendon and ligament injury in horses causes both economic and personal hardship for horse owners and industry professionals. A prolonged period of layup and rehabilitation is necessary, but whether the horse will be sound at the end of the rehabilitation period is uncertain. Lameness due to tendon and ligament injury is common in performance horses, ... Read full story
 11/17/2009
Endurance Horse Study Reveals Common Complaints, Resolutions
A lot of things can happen over the many miles of an endurance event. California veterinarians recently tracked the incidence and resolution of equine medical issues encountered during endurance competition. C. Langdon Fielding, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, of the Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center in California, and colleagues, looked at the records of ... Read full story
 11/15/2009
Old Horse Colicking? Consider Surgery a Viable Option
Geriatric horses have lower survival rates than younger horses following exploratory colic surgery, but there's no significant difference in long term survival rates between age groups, report Florida equine veterinarians in a new study. Most horses discharged post-surgically were still alive one year later, regardless of their age. Since many ... Read full story
 11/14/2009
Colic Surgery: Preventing Postoperative Diarrhea
A diarrhea treatment might also be useful for preventing diarrhea in horses recovering from colic surgery, said researchers in a new study. "Diarrhea following colic surgery is common with certain conditions such as colonic volvulus (twisted gut) and sand impactions due to the added injury to the intestinal mucosa that occurs in these cases," ... Read full story
 11/13/2009
Management of Horses with Diarrhea Reviewed for World Equine Vets
Bacteria such as Salmonella or Clostridium can wreak havoc on a horse's gastrointestinal tract, causing massive losses of water, electrolytes, and proteins. The result? Diarrhea. A smelly, watery, life-threatening mess. "In more than 60% of diarrhea cases, we never actually discover the inciting cause and testing for all the possibilities ... Read full story
 10/30/2009
First Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Conference Coming in March
The UC Davis Center for Equine Health, in collaboration with the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, and the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, is pleased to announce the 1st North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Conference to be held March 5-6, 2010, in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley just east of Santa Barbara, Calif. The conference is ... Read full story
 10/25/2009
Managing Horses' Postoperative Pain   *
Whether a horse is on the operating table for colic or a broken bone, pain management after surgery is critical. In recent years research has clearly shown that making horses as comfortable and pain-free as possible postoperatively leads to shorter hospital stays and better healing. Despite leaping strides in the field of veterinary anesthesia over ... Read full story
 10/21/2009
Anesthetic Drug Propofol Might have a Role in Equine Sedation  *
Many medical procedures are performed while the horse is under standing chemical restraint, but anesthesia in horses can be risky. One study cites an almost 2% mortality rate for equine patients within seven days of receiving general anesthesia. "It may be especially difficult to correctly dose sedative drugs in very old or debilitated patients. ... Read full story
 10/6/2009
Heparin Might Prevent Laminitis after Colic Surgery  *
Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is proving highly effective in preventing laminitis and reducing the severity of laminitis following colic surgery, according to Belgian researchers. Prior to the study period, more than 10% of colic surgery patients at the Equine Clinic of the University of Liège developed laminitic pain and lameness following ... Read full story
 9/27/2009
Equine Antibiotic Resistance Increased after Hospitalization  *
A team of researchers working at Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital in Liverpool found that Escherichia coli bacteria in a horse's intestine appear to acquire antibiotic resistance while a horse is hospitalized. The researchers found a significant increase in multiple drug resistance in E. coli samples isolated from horses' feces after a period of ... Read full story
 9/25/2009
Retired Racehorse Lava Man Back in Training after Stem Cell Treatment   *
Lava Man, the former claimer who earned more than $5 million, has returned to training at Doug O'Neill's Hollywood Park barn. The 8-year-old gelding worked three furlongs in :36 flat Sept. 23 at Hollywood, his first official work. O'Neill, who claimed Lava Man for owners STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood, said Lava Man came into his Hollywood barn ... Read full story
 9/23/2009
Investigating Platelet-Rich Plasma for Equine Tendon Injuries  *
A single injection of platelet-rich plasma appears beneficial for acute clinical tendon injuries in horses, report a group of scientists from The Netherlands. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a fraction of whole blood that contains a concentrated source of platelets--microscopic storage facilities for a variety of growth factors that facilitate healing. ... Read full story
 9/9/2009
Thoroughbred Sire Gone West Euthanized Due to Colic Complications  *
Gone West, who carved out a successful branch of the Mr. Prospector sire line all his own as the sire of 98 stakes winners, was euthanized the night of Sept. 7 because of complications following colic surgery. The 25-year-old stallion, who was pensioned after this year's breeding season because of declining fertility, had been taken two days earlier ... Read full story
 9/8/2009
Platelet-Rich Plasma: Healing Skin Wounds in Horses  *
Brazilian researchers report that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is beneficial for healing surgical wounds in horses, contrary to previous reports. Because wound healing in horses is frequently problematic from both a clinical and economical point of view, methods to improve healing and minimize complications (such as the development of "proud flesh" ... Read full story
 9/5/2009
Predicting Equine Postoperative Infections  *
Inflammatory markers in horses' blood might tell veterinarians when the animals are at risk for adverse events after surgery. "Monitoring the recovery of the patient closely in the postoperative period allows the surgeon to detect infection and other complications of the surgical procedure early, thus increasing the chance of successful treatment ... Read full story
 9/1/2009
Paralyzed Foal Recovering after Surgery, Therapy   *
A once-paralyzed foal is now up and running about with the help of an equine "walker" following a groundbreaking surgery to remove a cyst from the spinal cord, according to the treating veterinarians in Belgium. The Boulonnais draft horse filly, "Vittel," underwent surgical laminectomy of the L2/L3 vertebrae at one month old on July 3, one week after ... Read full story
 8/25/2009
Diarrhea Prevention in Hospitalized Horses a Delicate Bacterial Balance   *
Diarrhea acquired while staying in a hospital, termed nosocomial diarrhea, is an unfortunate risk when hospitalizing a horse, but there are steps owners and veterinarians can take to help prevent disease. There are many reasons why horses get diarrhea while in the hospital, including infectious pathogens, diet changes, medication, exposure to sick ... Read full story
 8/20/2009
Equine Sinus Surgery Aided by CT Scan   *
Paranasal sinus surgery is a challenging operation that can encounter complications, such as pneumocephalus, a condition in which air is trapped inside the brain. Veterinarians recently used a computed tomography (CT) scan to decide the best way to treat a Quarter Horse with a benign bone tumor growing in the paranasal sinus. As a result, the horse ... Read full story
 7/31/2009
Traumatic Injury to the Equine Central Nervous System, ACVIM 2009  *
Whether it's a yearling that flipped and landed on his poll or an older horse that tumbled after simply taking a bad step, traumatic injury to the central nervous system is the most common cause of neurologic problems in horses. Yvette S. Nout, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVECC, ACVIM, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, reviewed ... Read full story
 7/26/2009
Colic Surgery Outcomes Improved by Recent Advances   *
Today's colicking horse has a good chance for survival, said Gal Kelmer, DVM, MS, who recently wrote a review of equine colic surgery advances for Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice. A horse's anatomy puts it at risk for colic: the long intestine and colon are prone to twisting and obstructions that can prevent blood and oxygen ... Read full story
 7/22/2009
Ireland's EIA Experience: What Did We Learn?   *
In 2006, Ireland was rocked by an outbreak of equine infectious anemia (EIA) that was rapidly contained by veterinarians and the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (read more). Despite their quick action, the fallout from this outbreak has been widespread. In the three years since the outbreak, veterinarians and scientists have been ... Read full story
 7/18/2009
Equine Sinus Infection Treatment Balloons at WCVM  *
A few years ago, a magazine article describing a minimally-invasive treatment for people with chronic sinusitis caught the eye and imagination of Chris Bell, DVM. What if such a treatment could be adapted for use in horses? Last summer, the chance to test that theory came up for Bell when second-year veterinary student Dane Tatarniuk began working ... Read full story
 7/3/2009
Racehorse All Smiles Recovering After Serious Injury  *
Veterinarians at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa. are cautiously optimistic that All Smiles, who broke down near the finish line of the June 20 Obeah Stakes (gr. III) at Delaware Park, will make a full recovery, the mare's owner said June 26. A 5-year-old daughter of Awesome Again, All Smiles broke both sesamoids in her right front leg about ... Read full story
 6/27/2009
Georgia Horse on the Mend after Lightning Strike  *
A 12-year-old gelding in Dalton, Ga., is recovering after being struck by lightning on Thursday, according to an article from The Daily Citizen. Clues suggest Hershel was standing under a pine tree with two other horses when lightning associated with a midday storm struck the tree, ran down the trunk, and hit Hershel, who was knocked to the ground. ... Read full story
 6/15/2009
Planning for the Worst While You're Away   *
Take the steps to provide the best treatment possible for your horse and your situation, and decrease the stress on yourself and the veterinary team in the event of an equine emergency. Please turn on your imagination for a moment and put yourself in the following scenario: You're returning home from a relaxing vacation. Your plane lands, you power ... Read full story
 6/14/2009
Rehabilitating Muscle
Q: My horse has a severe laceration involving the biceps femoris and semitendinosis muscles (along the back of the hindquarter). He is 17 and in very good shape, training Prix St. Georges. We were able to suture the site and the incision is healing nicely. My question is on rehabilitation. What would be the best avenue to take to prevent too much scar ... Read full story
 6/1/2009
Pilates for Horses?  *
Preliminary results from research suggest you can strengthen your horse's core muscles to help him be healthier, no matter his job in life. "One of the things we know from human medical research is that when people get back pain, the deep stabilizer muscles turn off. When the back pain goes away, these muscles don't turn on again. There is a very ... Read full story
 6/1/2009
Equine Jaw Fracture Repair Aided by New Technology  *
Advances in screw and plate technology are leading to improved clinical and aesthetic results in the treatment of even the most complicated jaw fractures, according to Swiss researchers. By using the new locking compression plate (LCP) system, surgeons are able to provide a more stable repair system that aids complete healing with fewer and less ... Read full story
 5/28/2009
Research Protocol Aims to Improve Bone Chip Rehabilitation   *
If there is one thing most horsemen know well, it is the way things have always been done. The conventional paths to feeding, shoeing, training, and rehabilitating horses are processes that came to be tried-and-true for a reason: they usually accomplished the end goal. Today, the combination of research, technology, and, to some extent, an entrepreneurial ... Read full story
 5/8/2009
Insulin Resistance and Layup Time
Q: My 18-year-old Percheron/ Morgan gelding was diagnosed with insulin resistance. Just prior to being confined to stall rest for a connective tissue injury, his insulin was 67 microIU/mL. The vet did a dexamethasone suppression test to rule out pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and it was well within normal bounds. After a six-month layup ... Read full story
 4/1/2009
Assisted Recovery Prevents Postoperative Catastrophic Events   *
Using a rope system to assist horses as they recover from anesthesia postoperatively, is a "valuable and safe way of controlling recovery," reported Hans Wilderjans DVM, Dipl. ECVS, from the Equine Hospital De Bosdreef in Belgium, during the 10th International Congress of World Equine Veterinary Association. According to Wilderjans, few hospitals ... Read full story
 3/26/2009
AAEP 2008: Partial Phallectomy Technique   *
Although it's a painful option to consider (especially for the males in the profession), for some horse health problems the best treatment is partial phallectomy, or amputation of part of the penis. Such conditions might include penile injury, chronic paraphimosis (inability to retract the penis into the sheath), neoplasia (tumors), and stenosis (narrowing) ... Read full story
 3/25/2009
Brentina Home After Colic Surgery, Retirement Ceremony Planned   *
Olympic dressage horse Brentina returned to her winter home in California Feb. 23 following colic surgery Feb. 10. The 18-year-old Hanoverian mare, who has been the partner of Idaho-based dressage rider Debbie McDonald since the age of three, underwent surgery at Humphrey, Giacopuzzi & Associates Equine Hospital in Somis, Calif., to remove a ... Read full story
 3/18/2009
Plasma for Wound Healing a Work in Progress   *
Despite the hypothetical benefits associated with the topical use of platelet-rich plasma for expediting wound repair in horses, research thus far has yet to reveal any beneficial effects on small full-thickness wounds of the distal limb. "Nonhealing chronic wounds and those that develop excessive granulation tissue (proud flesh) lead to excessive ... Read full story
 3/3/2009
Brentina's Colic Surgery: 'Routine' but Necessary, Surgeon Says   *
As colic surgeries go, the procedure that U.S. Olympic dressage competitor Brentina underwent Feb. 10 was "pretty routine," according to her surgeon, Nicole Johnson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, of Humphrey, Giacopuzzi & Associates Equine Hospital in Somis, Calif. "She's been doing really, really well," Johnson said of the 18-year-old Hanoverian mare in ... Read full story
 2/18/2009
Brentina on the Mend After Colic Surgery  *
Olympian Debbie McDonald reported Feb. 12 that her equine partner Brentina had downed her first four meals, consisting of soaked timothy pellets, following surgery Feb. 10 to remove an impaction from her small intestine. McDonald, of Hailey, Id., and the 18-year-old Hanoverian mare were in California for the winter when Brentina colicked. The mare ... Read full story
 2/16/2009
Time an Important Factor when Dealing with Recumbent Horses  *
It's something you wouldn't believe could happen unless you saw it: You walk out to the barn in the morning and start to panic when you realize your horse has cast itself. Somehow, someway, your horse has managed to lie up against a wall and is unable to get its feet underneath it to stand up. Most horse owners know their equine companions can't lie ... Read full story
 2/6/2009
Sand Colic Review Finds Correction Caveats  *
Sand's heavy, abrasive nature makes it worth specific investigation when it comes to impaction in the equine intestine, according to a group of Israeli researchers who conducted a 12-year review of horses undergoing surgery to relieve sand colic. The study, recently published in the Australian Veterinary Journal, showed that 95% of the horses recovering ... Read full story
 2/3/2009
Novel Approach to Expedited Fracture Repair Reported   *
Delivering a growth factor in a dissolvable carrier at the site of a bony fracture results in accelerated healing when compared to untreated horses, and it is as effective as treating horses with a bone graft post-fracture, researchers recently reported. Fractures are an important problem in athletic horses. According to a group of researchers from ... Read full story
 1/28/2009
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy 101  *
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a high-dose oxygen inhalation therapy that is achieved by having the patient breathe 100% oxygen inside a pressurized hyperbaric chamber. The delivery of oxygen to the tissues occurs through respiration because the patient absorbs insufficient oxygen through the skin. Oxygen is transported by the blood from the ... Read full story
 1/22/2009
TheHorse.com Launches Editorial 'Fact Sheet' Series  *
Sometimes it is difficult to find that one short authoritative article that gives the basic information you're looking for on a specific equine topic. Something that gives you a foundation when you are looking for a starting point on which to build knowledge about a problem that has beset your horse. TheHorse.com has the answer: Fact Sheets. A series ... Read full story
 1/21/2009
WSU Equine Transport Allows Hospital Access in All Weather   *
Snow storms, icy conditions, fog, avalanches, rock slides, and other hazardous conditions can make traveling Washington State's mountain passes in winter a daunting and undesirable task, especially when hauling a sick or injured horse. To avoid the elements, western Washington equine clients can choose to use Washington State University's (WSU) transportation ... Read full story
 1/12/2009
New Surgery for Deep Corneal Abscesses  *
Deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty, a surgical technique for managing deep corneal abscesses in horses, is both effective and cosmetically pleasing according to University of Florida veterinarians. Caryn Plummer, DVM, Dipl. ACVO, from the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine explained, "Corneal abscesses are an important cause ... Read full story
 12/27/2008
Funny Cide to Get First Real Rest at Horse Park  *
When Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide is welcomed at the Kentucky Horse Park this Friday, Dec. 5, it will signal a new era of complete retirement and rest for a phenomenal athlete. "Funny has really been in training or working almost his entire life," noted assistant trainer Robin Smullen. The chestnut gelding will turn nine on April ... Read full story
 12/4/2008
Beware Bute's Adverse Effects, Researchers Recommend  *
Phenylbutazone, or Bute, is an anti-inflammatory drug widely administered long-term for the management of painful musculoskeletal injuries, navicular syndrome, and osteoarthritis. While it is widely known that Bute can cause serious adverse events such as gastric ulcers or kidney dysfunction, most horse people believe adverse reactions to be rare and, ... Read full story
 11/12/2008
Surgery Recovery Medications Investigated at Kansas State  *
No veterinarian wants to see a patient experiencing muscle tremors, difficulty standing, or seizures. When that animal can weigh as much as a thousand pounds, it also becomes a safety concern for the patient and the caregivers. Butch KuKanich, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVCP, a veterinary pharmacologist at Kansas State (K-State) University's College of Veterinary ... Read full story
 11/12/2008
New Study on Acupuncture with Drugs as Equine Sedation Option  *
Acupuncture is not a new technique, but clinical studies proving that this treatment modality works in horses are relatively few and far between. In the journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Brazilian scientists studying alternatives to conventional drug administration for achieving sedation in horses reported that combining ... Read full story
 10/28/2008
Equine Pain Management: Readers Share Their Tools  *
More than 1,350 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "What do you use for pain management?" Results were as follows: Phenylbutazone (Bute) 85.33% (1,175) Flunixin meglumine (Banamine) 53.38% (735) Anti-inflammatory herbs 17.79% (245) Alternative treatments 14.52% (200) Other 10.31% (142) 1% Diclofenac sodium ... Read full story
 10/24/2008
Laser Surgery Now Available at the Ontario Veterinary College   *
Horses in Ontario, Canada diagnosed with upper airway problems such as "roaring" (also known as left laryngeal hemiplegia) no longer need to be treated under general anesthesia. Nor do they have to shop south of the border for their laser surgery needs. According to Judith Koenig, Dr Med Vet, DVSc, Dipl. ACVS, ECVS, an assistant professor in the ... Read full story
 10/20/2008
Equine Ambulance Hits the Road for Marion duPont Scott Center   *
They travel up to five hours one way to staff an event--and during the whole trip, they hope their services won't be needed when they get there. The five-member ambulance crew from Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center and their well-equipped rig provide emergency care and transport services to horses that incur injuries in steeplechase ... Read full story
 9/19/2008
Equine Laser Surgery Now Available through Wisconsin Vet School  *
Lasers are changing the options available to horse owners whose animals need surgical procedures. "Laser surgery can not only save horse owners money for certain procedures, it can also be more effective than traditional surgery, with fewer complications," said Sabrina Brounts, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, a veterinary surgeon at the University of Wisconsin ... Read full story
 9/19/2008
Florida Equine Rehabilitation Center to Open in January  *
Doors are set to open in January at Farnsworth Farms' new equine sports medicine and rehabilitation center in Ocala, Fla. Construction is in the final stages at KESMARC Equine Rehabilitation, the horse therapy facility designed and dedicated to the recovery and conditioning of professional equine athletes. KESMARC-Florida is the sister facility of ... Read full story
 9/9/2008
'Tongue Piercing' in Horses   *
It's not a new fad and probably isn't what you're thinking. Horses sometimes accidentally become wounded by pieces of metal or wire, splinters of wood, or even grass awns that become lodged in their tongue, mouth, or throat as they eat. These and other foreign bodies can cause serious medical problems and great discomfort for a horse within hours or ... Read full story
 8/2/2008
Reconditioning After Layup  *
Whether your horse has downtime for an injury or just a much-needed vacation, how you bring him back can dictate his eventual competitive success. After any layup, an athletic horse needs to be brought back to peak condition gradually. If time off was simply a vacation over winter, you can start the horse back into work at a lower level and increase ... Read full story
 8/1/2008
ACVIM Forum: 10 Years of Infection Control   *
After 10 years as Director of Biosecurity at Colorado State's large animal hospital, Paul Morley, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, recently relayed some of the key lessons he and his colleagues have learned while developing the school's biosecurity program. Morley's presentation at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum, held June ... Read full story
 7/19/2008
Carpal Spavin Surgery, Fine-Tuned  *
Several years ago, Spencer Barber, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) achieved a first in equine surgery when he developed a successful arthrodesis (surgical fusion) technique for treating a debilitating arthritic condition in horses called carpal spavin. This degenerative disease affects the carpometacarpal joint--the ... Read full story
 7/18/2008
Castration Technique Could Reduce Complications  *
A new sterilization technique that leaves a stallion's testicles in place but nonfunctioning might provide a safe, simple, and reliable alternative to traditional castration methods, according to Iranian researchers. In the "Section-Ligation-Release" (SLR) procedure, a horse's testicles are not extracted as in standard castration techniques. Instead, ... Read full story
 6/30/2008
On the Mend: Chelokee's Prognosis Good  *
Larry Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, who in mid May said grade III winner Chelokee's chances of survival were at 60-40 after the colt dislocated his right front ankle, is now talking about the colt being released from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington within weeks. "Chelokee is doing great," said Bramlage of the colt, who sustained his injuries ... Read full story
 6/28/2008
Michigan State Offers Conventional and Advanced Laparoscopy Procedures for Horses  *
The fulminant growth in minimally invasive surgery in people has paid dividends for the horse. "Not only are laparoscopic procedures in horses less invasive and associated with less postoperative pain and inflammation, in some instances they provide a better alternative to conventional open surgery." said John Caron, DVM, MVSc, Dipl. ACVS, an equine ... Read full story
 5/26/2008
Attacked Arkansas Horses Healed and Rideable, Five Years Later   *
Two Quarter Horses that were severely injured in a brutal attack five years ago are thriving after a long recovery. "They're tough," said Patrice Swan, the horses' owner. "They never gave up, and now they're running around like babies." In August 2003 Quarter Horses Puddin' and Fat Girl were restrained in their Guy, Ark., paddock and severely beaten ... Read full story
 5/23/2008
Veterinarians Begin Testing New Equine Recovery Device  *
A version of a device designed to help brain injured and bariatric human patients to move more freely might also be used to assist down horses recovering from injury and surgeries. "We were doing applications to support a 1,000-pound person," said Ken Messier, president of Enduro Medical Technology (EMT), the Connecticut-based developer of the Secure ... Read full story
 5/20/2008
See No Evil: Merits of Standing Enucleation Revealed  *
In the first multi-institutional study of its kind, researchers recently reported that eye enucleation (surgical removal of the eye and associated structures) with the horse standing and sedated is safer and more economical than the traditional method of enucleation in fully anesthetized horses, and it's equally effective. Veterinarians typically ... Read full story
 5/13/2008
Chelokee Continues to Improve  *
Chelokee, who dislocated his right front ankle during the Alysheba Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 2 at Churchill Downs continues to improve at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, according to Larry Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. "Everything is going as well as hoped for," Bramlage said. "He continues to do well." The colt's chances ... Read full story
 5/12/2008
Brazilian Olympic Horse Treated at University of Florida  *
After surviving an odyssey of complicated medical problems and difficult surgeries, a Brazilian Olympic dressage horse named Livello has lived to train another day and is recuperating back in his home country, thanks to University of Florida veterinarians. UF equine surgeon David Freeman, MVB, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, who played a key role in Livello's amazing ... Read full story
 5/10/2008
Permanent Tracheostomy Safe and Effective in Select Horses  *
Creating a permanent hole in the windpipe of horses through a procedure known as a tracheostomy might be the treatment of choice for horses afflicted with specific diseases of the upper respiratory tract that could not be successfully treated by alternate strategies. "While the procedure itself is not novel, information regarding post-operative complications, ... Read full story
 5/8/2008
Cataracts in Horses   *
Maria Kallberg, DVM, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Florida veterinary school, reported on cataracts in horses at the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla. She explained that a cataract is an opacity of the lens or lens capsule that obscures vision, as opposed to nuclear sclerosis, which is ... Read full story
 5/6/2008
Chelokee's Surgery Goes 'Very Well'  *
Chelokee, who dislocated his right front ankle May 2 at Churchill Downs, underwent surgery that "went very well" May 5 at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, according to Larry Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. He added that "everything had gone as planned," so far, in the 4-year-old colt's recovery. Chelokee Bramlage fused the Chelokee's ... Read full story
 5/6/2008
Colic and Equine Enteroliths: Rock Bottom  *
Colic, or abdominal pain, is a common ailment in horses. More than 70 causes can trigger colic, including gas distention, food impactions, intestinal tract spasms, and intestinal displacement or twists. One of the more exotic forms is colic caused by enteroliths, or stone-like formations that form in a horse's digestive tract. Enterolith stones are ... Read full story
 5/2/2008
Repairing Hernias with Subcutaneous Mesh  *
Incisional hernias (protrusion of abdominal contents through a gap in an incision beneath the skin) occur in up to 17% of horses receiving abdominal surgery, reported Gal Kelmer, DVM, MS, clinical assistant professor at the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine, during the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, ... Read full story
 4/29/2008
Feeding Horses Recovering From Colic   *
Nutritional support of horses following a bout of colic is important, especially for hospitalized horses following colic surgery, noted Ray Geor, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, professor, Paul Mellon Distinguished Chair, and director of Virginia Tech's Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Middleburg, Va. Geor discussed the topic ... Read full story
 4/12/2008
High-Tech Fetlock Joint Fragment Removal  *
VIDEO | Joint chips plague many high-performance horses--up to 29% of Standardbred yearlings and 2% of Thoroughbred yearlings. Often the chips must be removed, usually with arthroscopic surgery, before the horse can return to full soundness. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., Alastair ... Read full story
 4/8/2008
Alternate Catheter Site  *
Catheters placed in the jugular vein are commonly used to medicate or give fluids to horses in equine hospitals. One potential complication of catheters is thrombophlebitis, or blood vessel wall inflammation resulting in clot formation. When this occurs in the jugular vein, it hampers the flow of blood out of the head. This can cause facial swelling, ... Read full story
 4/7/2008
Surgery for Triple-Level Spinal Cord Compression  *
Spinal cord compression in the neck, more technically known as cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy or CVSM, can cause notable incoordination and affects about 2% of racing Thoroughbreds. Probably the most well-known horse affected by CVSM was Thoroughbred champion racehorse and sire Seattle Slew, whose successful surgeries were well-publicized. ... Read full story
 4/4/2008
Intravenous Lidocaine for Controlling Pain and Inflammation  *
Intravenous (IV) lidocaine is one systemic way to manage pain and inflammation, and it also has been used to improve intestinal motility in colic cases. Its use has been a fairly hot topic of late, so Margaret Mudge, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, ACVECC, assistant professor of equine emergency and critical care at The Ohio State University, reviewed its properties ... Read full story
 3/23/2008
Stapling the Gut   *
These days, in many species incisions are often closed with staples rather than stitches--and they're not just for external use any more. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., Christina Ellis, DVM, a veterinarian with Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala, Fla., described the use ... Read full story
 3/21/2008
First Aid for Limb Fractures  *
When a horse's leg is fractured, the primary treatment goal is to stabilize the fracture site so the broken bone ends don't further separate and do more damage. The outcomes of these cases often have a great deal to do with how well the broken leg was stabilized in the field before a surgeon ever saw the horse. At the 2007 American Association of Equine ... Read full story
 3/20/2008
Traumatic Brain Injury in Horses  *
"Head trauma is common in horses, and a number of these cases will present with neurologic signs consistent with brain injury," began Darien Feary, BVSc, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC, a lecturer in equine medicine with the University of Sydney, Australia. She discussed management of these injuries at the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners ... Read full story
 3/15/2008
Pain Medications for Horses   *
Managing pain in horses is important for a lot of reasons: There are humane benefits in addition to medical ones, such as maintenance of weight, shorter hospital stays, and lower total patient bills. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., Nora Matthews, DVM, Dipl. ACVA (anesthesiology specialist), ... Read full story
 3/11/2008
Nerve Block Technique Reduces Limb Pain in Horses  *
Acute pain in horses can lead to intense physical and psychological suffering, and even require euthanasia. To find ways to better manage pain in horses, researchers have been studying a technique that involves inserting continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) catheters along nerves in the horse's front limb to relieve pain. Bernd Driessen, DVM, ... Read full story
 3/4/2008
Off to the Races: Improved Surgery for "Bad Throats" Safe and Effective  *
Thoroughbred racehorses with obstructed respiratory tracts due to inflammation of the arytenoid cartilage or failed tiebacks treated via unilateral partial arytenoidectomy--a surgical technique that resolves the obstruction--are likely to return to racing within six months of the operation with few postoperative complications. According to co-author ... Read full story
 2/23/2008
Gait Analysis During Lameness Rehabilitation  *
At the AAEP Blue-Ribbon Panel Research Meeting in Ft. Collins, Colo., on Aug. 1, 2007, Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University, presented her findings on investigation of rehabilitation techniques. She said although lameness is resolved in many sport horses, a horse is ... Read full story
 10/26/2007
Rise and Shine: Tilt Tables Help Horses Recover from Anesthetic   *
Horses undergoing high-risk orthopedic procedures, such as fracture repair of the long bones, can experience severe or catastrophic injuries while recovering from anesthesia. According to a recent report published in Veterinary Surgery, equine orthopedic patients recovered on a tilt table are more likely to have a smooth return to consciousness. To ... Read full story
 10/20/2007
New Surgery for Roarers Restores Talented Racehorse   *
A new way to correct a respiratory condition commonly called "roaring" has returned a Thoroughbred mare to the track, earning her owners more than $300,000 since her recovery in 2006. Raging Rapids, a strapping 5-year-old mare, won a race for Victory Thoroughbreds LLC, a group that claimed her for $10,000 last year. But even in the winner's circle, ... Read full story
 9/10/2007
Millionaire Pacer Sharky Spur Recovering From Training Injury   *
The Standardbred racing industry was rocked when one of their superstars, millionaire pacer Sharky Spur, suffered a career-ending injury when a training accident June 6 left the long pastern bone of his right front leg shattered. With an injury reminiscent of the Kentucky Derby champion Barbaro, Sharky Spur's owners, Buddy Stillings and his wife, ... Read full story
 9/9/2007
When Your Horse Visits the Hospital: 12 Tips  *
Taking your horse to the equine hospital can be confusing and emotionally taxing. As the owner, you will be asked to assist the treatment team, and also to make decisions for your horse. Here are tips to prepare you from three top hospitals, Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (Sarah Dukti, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, clinical assistant ... Read full story
 9/2/2007
Detecting Pain  *
Recent studies have shown that horses are far more stoic than we had imagined. On the scale of pain tolerance, they are much higher than people. For example, the thrashing colicky horse often needs surgery, and after surgery, pain is very difficult to detect. For years veterinarians have walked by hospitalized horses after colic surgery and figured ... Read full story
 9/1/2007
Colic in Horses: An Overview for Owners   *
What's the one word that strikes fear into the hearts of all horse owners? Colic. It can strike any horse at any age for a myriad of reasons--there's impaction colic, gas/spasmodic colic, strangulating colic, and many other versions. At the recent Healthy Horses Workshop, an owner education session held Dec. 2, 2006, in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction ... Read full story
 7/28/2007
Down the Hatch: Feeding System for Horses Unwilling or Unable to Eat  *
Veterinarians at Oregon State University developed a method to get valuable calories into anorexic horses or those unable to eat normally. The process employs a couple of buckets, pelleted complete feed, water, tubing, and a bilge pump. For horses with mouth or throat injuries, this method can be used to provide the horse's complete daily ration ... Read full story
 7/11/2007
Recuperating Back Muscles
Q: I have a 17-year-old Half-Arabian gelding that underwent colic surgery in August 2005. He had a totally uneventful recovery, and within six months he was back to his usual job of pleasure and trail riding. My only remaining concern is that he lost tone in his belly muscle and his back dropped somewhat, and I haven't been able to get it to return ... Read full story
 7/1/2007
Remembering Barbaro   *
On the morning of Jan. 29, Dean W. Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, head of surgery at The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's New Bolton Center, made the somber announcement most everyone had been prepared to hear more than eight months earlier. Barbaro had been euthanatized. The wave of grief that was anticipated back then now ... Read full story
 1/29/2007
Barbaro Undergoes Planned Procedure  *
As previously planned, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was placed under general anesthesia this morning (Jan. 13), so surgeons could fully examine his left hind foot. "While his condition was unchanged over the last two days, we were unable to fully assess his left hind foot with him in his stall," said Dean W. Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, chief of surgery ... Read full story
 1/13/2007
Therapeutic Equipment  *
Higher, faster, stronger. It's human nature to push our horses to the edge, whether it be in the jumping ring, reining pen, or on the racetrack. But when our willing equine partners exert themselves on our behalf, they can sometimes push tissues past their limits. And when microtraumas--tiny, almost imperceptible signs of stress to tissues, ranging ... Read full story
 12/1/2006
Barbaro's Cast Removed  *
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro's right hind leg cast was removed today (Nov. 6), according to his medical team. "Barbaro was placed under general anesthesia for the cast removal," said Dean W. Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, chief of surgery. "In addition, his foot was trimmed and a new shoe glued on. A padded bandage with plastic and fiberglass splints ... Read full story
 11/6/2006
Bigger Horses, Greater Post-Op Risks  *
Draft horses weighing more than 1,500 pounds are at greater risk of postoperative complications due to anesthesia than lighter draft horses, according to a Purdue University study. "Heavy draft horses had significantly more postoperative complications than lighter draft horses (in the study)," researchers said. "The duration of anesthesia in heavy ... Read full story
 10/12/2006
Barbaro Might Soon Get Cast Removed Completely  *
Based on the latest examination of Barbaro's injured right hind leg, there is a possibility the classic winner will soon have the cast removed completely. The cast on the leg was changed Sunday (Aug. 27) by veterinarians at the University of Pennsylvania's George D. Widener Hospital because there was a small crack in it. "Based on new radiographs ... Read full story
 8/28/2006
Vet Med Expertise Gives Barbaro a Lift  *
By Dave Jones, Dateline UCDavis First they put Barbaro in a Kimzey ambulance. Then they put a Kimzey splint on the racehorse's broken leg. And then the colt was in an Anderson sling several hours a day. The ambulance, splint and sling all have links to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "We couldn't be prouder," said veterinarian John ... Read full story
 8/27/2006
After Successful Surgery, Barbaro's Chances Remain a "Coin Toss"  *
Veterinary surgeon Dean Richardson and trainer Michael Matz flashed smiles during a press briefing that followed afternoon-long surgery Sunday to repair the right hind ankle of classic winner Barbaro that was severely injured one day earlier in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico. Barbaro was standing and eating in a recovery stall following the ... Read full story
 5/21/2006
Recovering from Sesamoiditis
Q: Two weeks after my sister bought a 10-year-old gelding, he started head-bobbing at the trot. Many veterinary exams, farrier visits, and six months later, we found sesamoid problems on both forelimbs. Can the sesamoid bones be removed? The veterinarian said his tendons are putting pressure on the sesamoid bones, which is resulting in small fractures ... Read full story
 4/1/2006
AAEP Convention 2005: How to Use a Head and Tail Rope for Recovery  *
Recovery from anesthesia after surgery can be a dangerous time for a horse as he struggles to his feet upon waking, often disoriented by unfamiliar surroundings and lingering incoordination. One way to help decrease injuries or re-injuries from falling during this period is by using a head and tail rope to help the horse stand. Proper equipment and ... Read full story
 2/17/2006
Filly with Burned Tail Fully Recovered  *
A 2-year-old Spotted Saddle Horse filly near Fayetteville, N.C., has recovered completely from an attack last August in which her tail was set on fire and later had to be amputated. According to the horse's owner and veterinarian, a drainage tract at the site of the amputation has healed and a soft-tissue leg injury sustained in the attack has resolved. ... Read full story
 1/6/2006
Broken Legs Aren't Death   *
Looking at a horse's delicate limbs, it's a wonder that those bones can put up with any sort of pressure at all. Equine bones are very tough, but fractures still happen. When they do, even the most stoic of horse owners can feel desperate. But a fracture doesn't necessarily mean the death of a loyal companion or promising athlete. Orthopedic techniques ... Read full story
 1/1/2006
Fractured Ribs in Foals   *
Surgically repairing or stabilizing fractured ribs in a newborn foal can reduce the risk of further complications such as puncturing a vital organ, say Robert Hunt, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, and Fairfield Bain, DVM, MBA, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVP, ACVECC. The practitioners explained two methods of repair on Oct. 20, 2005, at the Hagyard Bluegrass Equine Symposium ... Read full story
 1/1/2006
Filly's Damaged Ear Repaired With Surgery   *
Horses' ears are designed for distinguishing fine sounds, protecting sensitive inner ear structures, and communicating with herdmates. An 18-month-old Belgian Warmblood filly's ear was injured (likely on a fence), resulting in the ear bending backward, exposing the ear canal and causing an unsightly blemish. However, surgeons were able to reshape the ... Read full story
 1/1/2006
Pelvic Fracture
Q: My 6-year-old mare suffered a pelvic fracture from a pasture accident five months ago. My veterinarian examined her and prescribed stall rest. What timeframe can I expect for starting light exercise and how can I tell if she is ready? Should I expect to ride her again? Dawn A: Most pelvic fractures have a good prognosis for healing and return ... Read full story
 12/1/2005
Filly Recovering from Tail Burning and Amputation   *
"I knew right away that it was definitely a burn," stated Brian K. Garrett, DVM, of Animal Hospital of Fayetteville in Fayetteville, N.C., Dixie's treating veterinarian. Trespassers maliciously burned the 2-year-old Spotted Saddle Horse filly's tail and legs during the night of Aug. 19 near Erwin, N.C. Officials from the Harnett County Sheriff's Office ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
Shock Wave Therapy for Pain Relief and Healing  *
Take a lame horse, inject him with stem cells or cells from a pig's bladder lining, zap him with extracorporeal shock waves, and what do you get? That's just one of several research projects involving extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) that are underway or have been recently completed. Following are reports of some recent research using ESWT ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
Dreams Can Come True  *
Soñador is Spanish for "dreamer," the title of a movie opening this month that sounds like a natural fit for horse lovers. According to information from DreamWorks, Dreamer's writer/producer John Gatins grew up loving racehorses, and wondering why horses that broke their legs couldn't be saved. Then came the moving, true-life story of Mariah's Storm, ... Read full story
 10/1/2005
Filly Recovering from Tail Burning Incident  *
"Her tail is just barely hanging on," says Vonda Hamilton of Dixie, her 2-year-old Spotted Saddle Horse filly whose tail was ignited and burned by trespassers during the night of Aug. 19 near Erwin, N.C. Hamilton is treating the filly's tail and leg burns around the clock as officials from the Harnett County Sheriff's Office investigate allegations ... Read full story
 8/31/2005
Aggressive Treatment Key to Afleet Alex's Recovery  *
As Afleet Alex walked the shedrow for the second of three times Tuesday morning (Aug. 9), his ears were up and he was looking for peppermints from trainer Tim Ritchey. It was obvious the colt was happy being out of his stall and walking again. It has been only 14 days since Afleet Alex underwent surgery to repair a small hairline fracture, but the ... Read full story
 8/10/2005
Prosthetics: Science, Not Science Fiction   *
There is a roadside pasture in Pullman, Wash., where a black Quarter Horse stallion has been known to stop traffic. It's not simply the pastoral beauty of a handsome horse in a natural setting that draws attention. Rather, it's that this particular stallion has a feature few people have ever seen on an equid: An artificial limb. While hardly common, ... Read full story
 7/1/2005
Leg Injury Rehabilitation  *
When your veterinarian informs you that your 6-year-old gelding has sustained a suspensory ligament injury in his left foreleg, your heart sinks. Not only are you concerned about the amount of pain and suffering your horse will endure in the months to come, but you are also concerned about other conditions that could develop as a result of this injury. ... Read full story
 7/1/2005
Assess Heel Lacerations Early for Best Recovery  *
"A simple heel bulb laceration may look like a regular 'nothing' cut, but it could be life-threatening if it's in the coffin joint, so you need to get it evaluated right away," said Robin M. Dabareiner, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, while describing a study she completed recently with colleagues at Texas A&M University (TAMU) College of Veterinary Medicine. ... Read full story
 4/26/2005
Decreasing Abdominal Adhesions   *
Post-operative abdominal adhesions are a significant problem in horses, as they can lead to intestinal obstruction or strangulation. In recent years, a laparoscope is used to look into the abdomen and break down any adhesions that have formed seven to 10 days after the initial surgery. Unfortunately, in some foals, new adhesions form after second-look ... Read full story
 4/1/2005
Feeding Sick Horses   *
When you're feeling under the weather, sometimes all you want is a nice, hot bowl of chicken soup. Other times, you might hunger for a full-course meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and steaming green beans. Even a mild injury that keeps you planted on the couch instead of sweating at the gym might change the way you think about food, urging you ... Read full story
 3/3/2005
Going Under  *
If you're like most horse owners, the idea of surgery performed on your beloved animal is unpleasant at best, terrifying at worst. Those fears are not unfounded. Because of the species' size and weight, their physiological reactions to many anesthetic drugs, and the difficulties of recovery, horses are trickier to safely anesthetize than most other ... Read full story
 3/1/2005
Postoperative Colic Survival  *
Can a practitioner predict a horse's chances of survival after colic surgery? Not with absolute certainty, but several factors can help that prediction, said Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, associate professor of equine surgery at North Carolina State University's (NCSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. Blikslager discussed this topic at the ... Read full story
 1/18/2005
Nutrition During Stall Rest
I purchased a 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with a fractured knee. My veterinarian put him on lay-up for an additional four months of stall rest (he has already had two months) with hand walking twice a day. Then, after additional X rays, he is to be turned out to pasture for another eight months before he can begin any training. I am concerned about ... Read full story
 1/1/2005
Should the Screw Stay In?
My 2-year-old filly clipped a fence post in a pasture eight months ago. The result was a slab fracture of the right hind long pastern bone. My vet attempted to repair it with a screw, which failed to hold the fragment in place, so I opted to leave it in a cast for eight weeks and let it heal naturally. After babying my filly for eight months, she's ... Read full story
 1/1/2005
Royal Kaliber Euthanatized In the Netherlands  *
Royal Kaliber, one of the United States' most brilliant horses ever to compete internationally in show jumping, was humanely euthanatized today (Oct. 8) in the Netherlands. The stallion underwent colic surgery for intestinal adhesions on Sept. 27 and had been recovering well until two days ago, when his progress considerably slowed. Royal Kaliber took ... Read full story
 10/8/2004
Surgery on The Cliff's Edge Deemed Successful  *
Robert LaPenta's The Cliff's Edge, who suffered a fracture of the right front fetlock during the running of the Oct. 2 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont, underwent successful surgery the morning of Oct. 4 at the New Jersey Equine Clinic. Veterinarian Patricia Hogan, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, who performed the surgery, said the son of Gulch suffered a ... Read full story
 10/8/2004
Minimizing Abdominal Adhesions   *
Small intestinal strangulation or distension colic can produce ischemia (lack of blood flow), depriving tissues of oxygen and nutrients. As blood flow is restored, known as reperfusion, newly circulating blood triggers several cellular reactions resulting in generation of oxygen radicals and inflammation that promotes fluid and cellular leakage into ... Read full story
 10/1/2004
Warm Springwater Immersion   *
Immersion of the body in natural springwater has been studied extensively in humans and dogs for its healing effects. The theory behind immersion is its ability to temporarily suppress the sympathetic nervous system (SNS, the part of the nervous system responsible for the "fight or flight" response) and enhance the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS, ... Read full story
 10/1/2004
Intestinal Healing Delayed With Banamine and Etodolac  *
Horses with colic are often treated with Banamine, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that effectively reduces pain and inflammation. Although Banamine (flunixin meglumine) helps colicky horses feel and look better, the drug can have unwelcome side effects. Like other NSAIDs, Banamine can cause gastrointestinal ulcers and impair the healing ... Read full story
 9/24/2004
Arizona Horse Slashing Mystery Solved  *
The necks of more than 20 horses were mysteriously slashed near their jugular veins at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch in Tucson, Ariz., beginning in July, 2003. The attacks launched an investigation, and concern about area horses' safety erupted. Tuscon law officials recently discovered the culprit wasn't a criminal, it was a pasturemate of the victims. ... Read full story
 6/17/2004
Laid Up or Losing It?  *
Staring at the same four walls for days--or weeks--on end is never a welcome prospect. For some horses, however, it's just what the doctor ordered. Stall rest--a term that all horse owners and stable managers dread--is generally prescribed following severe injury such as fractures, large wounds, surgery, and in some cases of lameness. How strictly ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
Bumps and Bruises  *
Horses often get banged and bruised by running into things, being kicked by another horse, falling down when running and bucking, etc. It's not unusual to suddenly discover your horse has a large, soft lump on some part of his body. The most common areas are the hindquarters, chest, or along the ribs. The skin might not be damaged, but the injured ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Post-Surgical Care  *
"Your horse is ready to be released to your care at home." These words bring relief that the surgery is past and your horse is ready to return to the farm. But then, you have an anxious moment wondering how to manage a post-operative situation. You are wondering what you should be looking for that might portend a back-slide in your horse's recovery, ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
AAEP 2003: Triage of Acute Racing Injuries  *
Thankfully not a large part of a racetrack veterinarian's job, severe injury of a racehorse nevertheless is one of the most visible and critical situations these practitioners must handle. Two experienced racetrack veterinarians, Mary Scollay, DVM, senior association veterinarian for Gulfstream Park and Calder Racecourses; and Celeste Kunz, VMD, chief ... Read full story
 2/3/2004
AAEP 2003: Alleviating Acute and Chronic Hind Limb Pain  *
"Musculoskeletal pain associated with acute and chronic hind limb injuries is common in equine practice," said Laurie Goodrich, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Cornell University, during her presentation at the 2003 American Association of Equine Practitioners' convention. "Unabated pain can result in complications such as gastrointestinal disorders and supporting ... Read full story
 1/31/2004
AAEP 2003: Surgery for Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate  *
Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) occurs when the palate partially obstructs the airway by becoming displaced on top of the epiglottis. This obstruction can affect breathing, especially during intense exercise. DDSP is known to be difficult to diagnose and treat. However, one viable option for treatment might be a combination of procedures ... Read full story
 1/31/2004
Remaining Saddlebred Recovering Well  *
Cats Don't Dance, the remaining injured Saddlebred under veterinary treatment at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee (HDM) Associates in Lexington, Ky., is recovering well and might be returning home sometime next week, according to his treating veterinarian. STEPHANIE L. CHURCH PHOTO Cats Don't Dance's injury, as seen on Aug. 12. Compare to earlier images ... Read full story
 8/12/2003
Hospitalized Saddlebred Continues to Heal  *
The one sabotaged Saddlebred still under treatment is recovering well, according to two veterinarians who have been treating the horse at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee (HDM) Associates in Lexington, Ky. However, they cannot say the gelding is completely out of the woods yet. Six-year-old Cats Don't Dance is currently sound and slowly responding to a combination ... Read full story
 7/30/2003
Catastrophic Wounds and Treatments  *
Two novel methods of wound treatment were used on five valuable American Saddlebreds attacked and injected with an unknown caustic substance in the back of their left front pasterns on June 30. The tissue in the injected area became necrotic (died), leaving painful, difficult-to-treat lesions that has resulted in death of two of the horses. The attackers ... Read full story
 7/22/2003
Risks of General Anesthesia
Q: Are there health risks simply from the anesthesia for a horse undergoing surgery? If so, what are these risks, and how common are complications from them? via e-mail A: Equine anesthesia has made dramatic safety advances in the last 20 years, including better sedatives, induction agents, and inhalant anesthetics, and improved monitoring. ... Read full story
 7/1/2003
Saddlebred Attacks  *
In a malicious attack that garnered nationwide news coverage, five top American Saddlebreds were injected with an unknown, necrotizing (tissue-killing) substance the weekend of June 28-29, 2003, at Double D Ranch in Versailles, Ky. These were five of the most valuable horses at the 30-stall facility. The injuries were discovered the morning of June ... Read full story
 7/1/2003
Caring for a Newly Blind Horse
Q. We have a 19-year-old Appaloosa gelding that is going blind fast from a genetic disease. He is not coping with it well; he stumbles around, runs into things, leaves the herd, then gets confused and panics. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Amanda A. Horses which become blind quickly often are very panicky. Horses which ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
AAEP Convention: Kester News Hour   *
Probably the best-attended session of the AAEP annual convention, the Kester News Hour provides brief reports of studies that were too new or too brief to be included in the longer scientific sessions. Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, the president-elect of the AAEP and a surgeon at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.; and John Madigan, ... Read full story
 3/1/2003
AAEP 2002: Surgery  *
The surgery session at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) convention covered a variety of subjects that ranged from using a laser to cauterize displaced soft palates to administering butorphanol for 24 hours to ameliorate pain in the wake of colic surgery. The leadoff presenter was Patricia Hogan, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, from New Jersey ... Read full story
 2/4/2003
AAEP 2002: Kester News Hour  *
Probably the best-attended session of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) annual convention, the Kester News Hour provides brief reports of studies that were too new or too brief to be included in the longer scientific sessions. Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, the president-elect of the AAEP and a surgeon at the Rood and Riddle ... Read full story
 2/3/2003
Surgical Removal of Bone Spurs Caused by Bit Damage  *
If your horse is tossing his head or hanging his tongue out while being ridden, going “behind the vertical,” or bearing into the bit, then bone spurs might be the reason. Bone spurs are inflammations of the membrane of fibrous connective tissue that covers the mandible. They usually occur between the corner incisor and second premolar (interdental ... Read full story
 1/21/2003
AAEP 2002: Prepping for Standing Eye Surgery  *
Whenever it’s possible to perform a procedure with the horse standing and sedated, it’s better to do that than to use general anesthesia, said Brian Gilger, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVO, founder of the Equine Ophthalmologic Service at North Carolina State University. His presentation at the 2002 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention was “How ... Read full story
 1/8/2003
Stretching Out the Kinks  *
There's nothing like a good stretch--when you wake up in the morning, during breaks at work, or before and after your workout. In human physiology, we know about stretching and its benefits for the athlete. Many practitioners and physical therapists recommend stretching for their equine clients. Are the techniques really helpful, and if so, why? Or ... Read full story
 12/1/2002
Actinobacillus Species Resistance  *
A retrospective study at the University of Pennsylvania showed a possible pattern of resistance to antibiotics by the isolates. During the five-year study period, 1,604 horses underwent “clean” elective surgical procedures. Of those, 23 (1.43%) had postoperative wound infections, and Actinobacillus species were isolated from 10 of the 23 (43%). Seven ... Read full story
 11/20/2002
Small Intestinal Colic Surgery and Predicting Survival  *
While surgical correction of colic in horses has been performed at referral hospitals for many years, it has been difficult for horse owners to get reliable information about survival rate. The prospect of extremely expensive colic surgery coupled with weeks and even months of recovery time must be weighed against some idea of whether the horse will ... Read full story
 4/3/2002
Slew's Successful Surgery  *
Seattle Slew, the only living winner of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown and the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner, underwent surgery to fuse two arthritic joints in his neck on Saturday, March 2, in Lexington, Ky. This is the second operation of this type the 28-year-old stallion has needed. The first surgery was done in early 2000. The lead ... Read full story
 3/6/2002
John Henry Back Home  *
Two-time Horse of the Year John Henry, who underwent colic surgery Jan. 25 at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee veterinary clinic near Lexington, arrived back home at the Kentucky Horse Park Feb. 4. "He was given a clean bill of health, and everyone is happy to see him back, even Cigar," said Horse Park executive director John Nicholson. John Henry, a 27-year-old ... Read full story
 2/5/2002
Veterinary Schools Get Anderson Sling   *
A newly purchased Anderson sling will provide improved support for horses recovering from neurological problems or surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Oregon State University's veterinary school recently added an Anderson sling to their program as well. Traditional slings concentrate support in the belly ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
John Henry Recovering From Colic Surgery  *
John Henry, the former leading money-earner in Thoroughbred racing who has been a popular attraction at the Kentucky Horse Park since his arrival in 1985, is recuperating from colic surgery performed Jan. 25 at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee veterinary clinic near Lexington, Ky. Michael Spirito, DVM, headed the operation in which three feet of John Henry's ... Read full story
 1/29/2002
Stifle Trauma  *
Carolyn E. Arnold, DVM, of the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center said stifle trauma can be a common cause of lameness in the horse, in her presentation given at the recent American Association of Equine Practitioners convention. Fractures of the tibial tuberosity often occur as a result of direct trauma, such as hitting the stifle on a ... Read full story
 1/3/2002
Getting A Lift--Slings for Horses  *
Your horse has fallen down a hill on a mountainous trail ride and there is no way to lead him to safety. Or perhaps your urban horse escaped and now is trapped in an abandoned swimming pool and you can't get him out. What do you do? There was a flood and the levee broke--now your poor horse is standing belly-deep in water with no chance of escape. ... Read full story
 6/1/2001
Tendon Injuries: Treatments and Prevention  *
Tendon injuries quickly can end a performance horse's career. There are no definitive statistics concerning how many horses in the world suffer from tendon injuries of some sort, but the number is considerable. The most common injury is the one referred to as a bowed tendon, but other injuries, such as lacerations, also can compromise a horse's capability. ... Read full story
 9/1/2000
Diagnon Corporation Announces Introduction Of Eqstend   *
Diagnon Corporation announced the introduction of Eqstend, a partially purified equine albumin, at the Bluegrass Equine Critical Care Symposium in Lexington, Ky., Oct. 25-26. Albumin is the main protein, of three blood plasma proteins, which is important in regulating blood volume and in transportation of elements within the bloodstream. Eqstend ... Read full story
 10/27/1999
The Power of Hydrotherapy  *
There's something almost spiritual about the healing properties of water. Humans have used this life-giving liquid to encourage healing, in themselves and in their horses, since the dawn of time. Water cleanses (in fact, several of the world's religions have endowed it with symbolic purifying properties). It soothes, it draws away inflammation and ... Read full story
 6/1/1999
Life as a Layup  *
If you think that "layup farm" is a summer basketball camp run by Rick Pitino, think again. Some lucky horse owners among us might never have to know what a layup farm is, nor need one for their horses. A layup farm is a rehabilitation facility for horses, primarily those recovering from lameness or some sort of surgery that requires professional ... Read full story
 10/1/1998
Tendinitis  *
Tendinitis is a troublesome disorder for many owners and trainers of highly competitive horses. In fact, some horsemen feel injury to the tendons and ligaments threatens an equine athlete's career more than fractures. The "bowed tendon" involves inflammation of the superficial flexor tendon, where an unsightly "bow," or bulge, will appear most often ... Read full story
 7/1/1997




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Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.

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