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Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
National Equine Welfare Code of Practice Endorsed
A national Welfare Code of Practice has been endorsed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation, and the U.S. Trotting Association. The Welfare Code of Practice, drafted by the American ... Read full story
 11/12/2009
AVMA Pushing Vet School Loan Repayment Aid
"Congratulations, you've finally earned your veterinary degree. Here's a bill for $130,000." Veterinary school graduates are entering the profession today with educational debt that resembles an average mortgage in the United States. What a graduation gift. With average educational debt approaching the estimated $136,000 average ... Read full story
 11/9/2009
Working Animal Welfare: Seeking Sustainable Solutions
In developing countries, working horses, donkeys, and mules are most often used for heavy labor, whether it be hauling heavy loads of cargo or carrying tourists up and down a mountain. The animals might be suffering from malnourishment, dehydration, disease, lameness, or injury. Rest and recovery is often not a practical option. The animals have ... Read full story
 11/6/2009
Mississippi State Vet Students Learn Confident Equine Handling  *
Some students at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine do not have any riding or handling experience with horses. Bob Linford, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, a veterinary surgeon and professor, uses his experience as a teacher and horse enthusiast to help them gain confidence. Students learn applied anatomy as they participate in ... Read full story
 10/22/2009
Remember Seasonal Variation in Cushing's Testing   *
Diagnosing equine Cushing's disease (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or PPID) in horses or ponies not showing the "full blown" disease is complicated and frustrating. "To accurately diagnose PPID in the early stages of disease, monitor the progression of the condition, or response to treatment, we require accurate endocrine tests," said Jill ... Read full story
 10/22/2009
AAEP Members Rank Equine Research Needs   *
Laminitis and colic were the top two equine conditions in need of more research, according to nearly 600 members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) who recently responded to a survey conducted by the AAEP Foundation. The Foundation coordinates equine research and supports student scholarships. This is the second member survey ... Read full story
 10/21/2009
Understanding Antibody Titers  *
One of the most often used and least understood immunological terms is antibody titer. But what does titer mean, and how can this information be used in assessing the immune status of a horse? A titer is defined as the concentration of specific antibodies in the blood that recognize a particular agent, such as equine influenza virus. The titer is ... Read full story
 10/20/2009
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
National Veterinary Technician Week Coming in October  *
Veterinary technicians are educated in the latest medical advances and skilled at working alongside veterinarians to give pets the best medical care possible. They work closely with the veterinarians, veterinary assistants, practice managers, patients, and owners to provide the essential link with all involved in the care process. The National Association ... Read full story
 9/28/2009
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
Australian Vets Call for Hendra Research Funds   *
Research to help fight the deadly Hendra virus is a matter of urgency, said the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). Alister Rodgers, BVSc, died earlier this month after contracting the virus while treating a sick foal. "Funds are urgently needed from federal and state governments to target every stage of the disease and prevent further loss ... Read full story
 9/23/2009
Study: Neurologic Strain of Equine Herpesvirus-1 Increasing   *
The number of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) infections caused by the neuropathogenic form of the virus has been steadily increasing over the past 51 years, report researchers from the University of Kentucky. Clinical observations suggest that neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 (i.e., strains of EHV-1 with a single mutation in the gene that encodes ... Read full story
 9/23/2009
Maryland State Animal Health Services Consolidated  *
Ongoing operating budget shortfalls (nearly $500,000 in 2009) along with a long-term services evaluation has led the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to consolidate the state’s Animal Health field and laboratory services. The MDA began closing the College Park, Centreville, and Oakland Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratories. During September, ... Read full story
 9/22/2009
Mixed Signals: How Acupuncture Works  *
Although acupuncture is frequently used in human and animal health, it needs to be described in terms that most people accept and understand, said Narda G. Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, who recently authored a report on the topic. Traditional Chinese medicine explains that the invasion of environmental agents, such as cold, wind, dampness, and heat cause ... Read full story
 9/6/2009
Vet Graduate Survey Gives Salary, Employment Stats   *
The results of an annual survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reveal an economic mixed bag when it comes to what new veterinary graduates encountered in 2009. The survey results appear in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in a Sept. 1, 2009, article entitled, "Employment, starting salaries, ... Read full story
 9/3/2009
Equine Research Hall of Fame to Add Four New Members   *
Four scientists will be inducted into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame Oct. 25 at Keeneland Race Course by the Gluck Equine Research Foundation. Douglas F. Antczak, VMD, PhD, of Cornell University, I.G. Joe Mayhew, DVM, of Massey University, Alan J. Nixon, BVSc, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Cornell University and Peter J. Timoney, FRCVS, ... Read full story
 9/3/2009
Queensland Equine Veterinarian Dies of Hendra Virus  *
A veterinarian in Australia has died after contracting Hendra virus while treating a sick foal in Cawarral, Queensland, Australia, in July. Queensland state Health Minister Paul Lucas told the Associated Press Alister Rodgers, BVSc, died overnight in a hospital. He is the fourth known fatality from the illness since it was discovered in 1994. Veterinarian ... Read full story
 9/2/2009
Hendra Virus: Statement Regarding Vet's Death   *
The following is a statement released by the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA): Veterinarians around Australia are mourning the death of Alister Rodgers from a Hendra virus infection, and urge governments to immediately increase investment in fighting the deadly disease. "Just 12 months ago we lost friend and colleague Ben Cunneen to Hendra ... Read full story
 9/2/2009
Graduating Vet Students Encouraged to Pursue Research Careers  *
Private practice isn't for everyone, but for graduating veterinary students facing an average of $120,000 in debt, it often is the only logical choice. A new program--the Pfizer Animal Health-Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) Veterinary Fellowship for Advanced Study--gives current practitioners necessary financial support while they pursue a veterinary ... Read full story
 8/31/2009
Vet Hospitalized with Hendra Virus   *
A veterinarian exposed to a horse infected with Hendra virus has tested positive for the disease and is hospitalized in an induced coma, said the Australian Horse Industry Council. Three horses on a Cawarral, Queensland, property died in late July and early August. Two of the dead horses were confirmed positive for Hendra, a potentially zoonotic ... Read full story
 8/20/2009
Project Brings Vet Training to Rural China   *
Working donkeys, horses, and mules in Xinjiang, China, are on the receiving end of care and guidance provided through a project by Urumqi University, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, and the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA). Bringing the maize crop back from the fields. The group has had a veterinary vehicle ... Read full story
 8/19/2009
Vets to Participate in National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps  *
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students can participate in the National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced. The Animal Health Emergency Response Corps, a program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, ensures that critical veterinary staffing needs are met ... Read full story
 8/13/2009
Equine Veterinary Group Releases Statement on Genetic Defects in Horses  *
This is the 2009 Statement on Genetic Defects released by the American Association of Equine Practitioners. It was approved in July 2009. Congenital Defects Congenital defects include all undesirable traits and pathologic conditions present at birth whether they are genetic or due to intra-uterine events that results from extra-uterine influences. ... Read full story
 8/4/2009
Livestock Antibiotic Bill in the Works   *
A congressional committee recently held a hearing on a bill that proposes severe restrictions on the use of antibiotics in food animals. The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009 would ban "non-therapeutic" uses of antibiotics that are also used in humans. It is hoped that this would prevent antibiotic resistance and preserve ... Read full story
 7/27/2009
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
Commentary: Horse Health Research Needs Funding   *
Research is an important, but not always visible, part of the horse industry. Basic research is often conducted in laboratories away from horse farms and racetracks. However, results from basic research are frequently the starting point for clinical research discoveries used in veterinary practices all over the world. The Department of Veterinary ... Read full story
 7/9/2009
Vet Training Bill Introduced in Congress  *
Legislation that confronts public health threats by investing in the public health veterinary workforce was introduced by four members of the U.S. House of Representatives on June 30. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) commended Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tim Murphy (R-PA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Kurt Schrader, DVM, ... Read full story
 7/7/2009
Equine ER Book Now Available  *
Readers can now take a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the leading equine veterinary hospitals with the release of Equine ER: Stories From a Year in the Life of an Equine Veterinary Hospital. Published by Eclipse Press, the book captures the often dramatic, sometimes heartbreaking, but all-inspiring stories author Leslie Guttman witnessed during a ... Read full story
 7/7/2009
Brazilian Cart Horse Care a Focus for MSU Researcher  *
When Camie Heleski, PhD, MS, traveled to Brazil to attend a conference in 2000, she noticed that the horses used to pull carts transporting people throughout the country's villages appeared frail and their hair looked brittle and dull. The animals also displayed lesions on their bodies where dry sweat would build up under their leather harnesses. In ... Read full story
 7/4/2009
Broodmare's Laminitis Battle Aided by Volunteer Vet  *
"She is just a nice, plain mare; nothing special." That is the way Don Blowe describes 16-year-old Halo Silver, a bay mare he purchased in 2001 to add to his small band of broodmares at Ascot Thoroughbreds, a farm he and his wife, Beth, own in Canada. Blowe never guessed that a few years later, Halo Silver, who quickly proved she was a valuable ... Read full story
 7/1/2009
AAEP Issues 'Best Practices' for Purchase Exam Radiographs   *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners' Public Auction Task Force has developed recommendations regarding the use of radiographic reports as part of the prepurchase exams that are conducted on horses for sale at public auctions. The goal of the task force is to promote ethical practices during the sales process, particularly at Thoroughbred ... Read full story
 6/17/2009
The Horse Partners with World Equine Veterinary Association   *
An exciting education and outreach partnership has been formed between The Horse and the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA). The two groups will work together to educate veterinarians and other industry professionals about the health, care, management, and welfare of equids around the world and bring information from those groups to horse owners ... Read full story
 6/16/2009
Kester News Hour, AAEP 2008   *
Every year equine veterinarians flock to the Kester News Hour session at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) convention for reports on research that are too brief or new to be included in the scientific program. For the past two years, the fast-paced news broadcast format has been anchored by three renowned equine experts: Scott ... Read full story
 6/10/2009
Farriery: Past, Present, and Future  *
Bill Moyer, DVM, professor of sports medicine and head of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University, and the current AAEP vice president, began his discussion during the "Putting Science into Farriery" session at the 2008 Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners by describing the state of farriery ... Read full story
 6/8/2009
Rabies Danger, Exposure Cost Reinforce Equine Vaccination Need   *
Rabies is a rhabdovirus that has been a human threat since antiquity. The virus is capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals with some variation in susceptibility. Rabies is considered 100% fatal to the infected host. However, in order for any disease to perpetuate itself, 100% is not in the realm of "mother nature," or the disease would kill itself ... Read full story
 6/7/2009
University of Kentucky Equine Research Newsletter Coming Soon   *
The Bluegrass Equine Digest, a new monthly e-newsletter providing information from the country's premier equine-only research facility and the University of Kentucky's new Equine Initiative, will launch June 28. It was developed through a partnership with UK's Gluck Equine Research Center and the Equine Initiative, and presented by TheHorse.com. The ... Read full story
 6/3/2009
Vets Discuss 'Equitarian' Outreach Efforts, AAEP 2008  *
The table topic meeting room was full to overflowing with equine veterinarians at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., most interested in some of the worldwide equine welfare projects both ongoing and proposed. The meeting was to continue a process to identify and coordinate some ... Read full story
 5/31/2009
Oklahoma Equine Dentistry Bill Remains Controversial  *
Oklahomans who are not veterinarians will soon be able to float horses' teeth without risking felony charges, now that Gov. Brad Henry signed SB 452 into law on Thursday. SB 452 strips an amendment to the state's Veterinary Practice Act of a 2008, which called for felony penalties against individuals without a veterinary license who float or extract ... Read full story
 5/23/2009
Oklahoma Governor Reverses Equine Dentistry Law   *
Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry today signed a bill that reverses a state law enacted last November that turned lay equine dentists into felons, according to a statement released by the Institute for Justice. Under the reversed law, lay dentists risked felony penalties that included fines of up to $10,000 and jail for up to four years. Gov. Henry's action ... Read full story
 5/21/2009
Oklahoma Legislators Back Lay Equine Dentists  *
Oklahoma legislators have approved a measure that allows individuals who are not veterinarians to float horses' teeth without risking felony charges. SB 452 strips an amendment from the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act of 2008 that allowed felony charges against anyone accused of practicing veterinary medicine without a license. The Oklahoma House ... Read full story
 5/15/2009
Colorado Vets Polled on Unwanted Horse, Euthanasia Issues   *
Although anecdotes suggest the number of unwanted horses is growing, there is very little data that measures the magnitude of the problem or how extensively the various options to address the issue are being implemented. To get a better handle on this situation, Jill Montgomery of JRAM Enterprises, an equine industry consulting firm, and Tom Lenz, ... Read full story
 5/13/2009
AAEP 2008: Racetrack Emergencies   *
Effective management of racetrack emergencies is dependent on preplanning before the first horse leaves its stall, according to Mary Scollay-Ward, DVM, equine medical director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, who spoke at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif. Preparation includes ... Read full story
 5/1/2009
AAEP Table Topic: Sport Horse Practice   *
A diverse group of practitioners discussed a variety of subjects related to treating and managing jumpers during the Sport Horse Practice (Jumpers) Table Topic, which was held at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif. Approximately 125 participants attended this program. An important ... Read full story
 4/11/2009
Table Topic: Drug Compounding   *
At the Compounding Table Topic at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., facilitators made handouts available, including the FDA's Compliance Policy Guide (CPG); the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA), the AAEP Position Statement/Guidelines for Use of Compounded ... Read full story
 4/9/2009
Vet's Suspension Upheld in Cobra Venom Case   *
A hearing officer has ruled that the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission acted properly when it handed a five-year suspension to veterinarian Dr. Rodney Stewart after cobra venom and other prohibited substances were found in a barn and in his truck at Keeneland in June 2007. Hearing officer Robert Layton, who conducted a two-day hearing in December ... Read full story
 4/8/2009
Scar Wars: Improving Visual Outcomes in Corneal Ulcer Correction  *
"My job is to help horses see better, and to help you guys to help horses see better," said Dennis Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVO, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Florida at the fourth annual Promoting Excellence Symposium of the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners (FAEP), held Sept. 25-27, 2008, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. ... Read full story
 4/7/2009
AAEP 2008: How to Take Foot Radiographs   *
Taking radiographs (X rays) of horses' feet is "arguably the most common form of imaging performed by veterinarians--for lameness, prepurchase, laminitis, and podiatry examinations," notes Keith Merritt, DVM, owner of Merritt & Associates Equine Hospital in Wauconda, Ill. He presented a discussion of how to properly take foot radiographs at the ... Read full story
 4/6/2009
Commentary: Epidemiology a Key Component of Equine Health  *
"Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specific populations and the application of this study to control health problems." - J.M. Last: A Dictionary of Epidemiology, ed 2. New York, Oxford University Press, 1988. While a definition is a good place to start when thinking about the role ... Read full story
 4/6/2009
OSU Vet School Programs Expand Career Options   *
Each year about 2,500 professional veterinarians graduate from the 28 veterinary colleges in North America. That might not be enough to protect the nation from animal diseases that pose threats to human health, according to a report released last month by the Government Accountability Office. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has ... Read full story
 3/30/2009
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 Releases White Paper on Equine Blood Products  *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has released a white paper to help practitioners make informed decisions regarding the use of equine plasma and serum products. The white paper, titled "Information on Equine Plasma and Serum Products for the Equine Practitioner," provides factual information regarding licensed and unlicensed ... Read full story
 3/23/2009
From the Horse's Mouth: Zoonotic Disease in Equine Practice  *
Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. All of these can infect and cause disease in animals--which is especially noteworthy when you consider that more than 70% of infectious diseases of domestic animals and wildlife can also infect humans. A rabid horse is sedated heavily and secured. Read more about equine rabies. Luckily, remarkably few ... Read full story
 3/21/2009
Government Vet Shortage Critical, AVMA CEO Says   *
The chief executive of the nation's largest veterinary association recently appeared before a Senate subcommittee to address a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that details a shortage of veterinarians available to fill critical positions in the federal government. W. Ron DeHaven, DVM, CEO of the American Veterinary Medical ... Read full story
 3/17/2009
Oklahoma Equine Dentist Faces Felony Charges   *
Professional rodeo rider Bobby Griswold is facing felony charges in Oklahoma for practicing equine dentistry without a veterinary medical license. Griswold is not a veterinarian, but he graduated from an equine dental school. He was arrested March 4 in Oklahoma City by an Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners investigator and Oklahoma City ... Read full story
 3/11/2009
California Veterinary Tax Removed from Budget  *
After a three-month battle, the California state legislature last week approved the final 2009-2010 budget, sans a proposed veterinary tax. The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) conducted a letter and call-in campaign to stop the nearly 10% tax that Governor Schwarzenegger proposed in November. "We believe that this tax would have ... Read full story
 2/24/2009
Study: Safety Measures to Minimize Injuries to Equine Vets Needed   *
Due to the high number of work-related serious injuries incurred by equine practitioners, Australian researchers are urging vets to identify and utilize improved safe handling practices. "It is known that large animal veterinarians have a very high risk of work-related injury and that these injuries are a burden not only to the injured veterinarian, ... Read full story
 2/22/2009
AAEP 2008: Medication in Racing and Performance Horses  *
Medication issues in equine competitions might have reached their highest level of public focus in 2008 due to high-profile situations such as Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown's steroid regimen and the disqualification of several Olympic horses for prohibited medications. Despite a significant investment of time and money by various advisory and regulatory ... Read full story
 2/15/2009
AAEP 2008: Olympic Veterinary Care   *
What's it like to be an equine veterinarian behind the scenes at the Olympic Games? Horse owners got to hear about the experience at the Healthy Horses Workshop of the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention (held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif.). Sharon Spier, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, PhD, professor and chief of equine field services ... Read full story
 2/10/2009
Commentary: Track Regulatory Vet Asks 'What If?'  *
"You know, Doc, that filly you scratched the other day? We X rayed that ankle, and she had the beginnings of a condylar fracture..." I hear these words a few times each year when a trainer or private veterinarian is kind enough to give me an update. I am one of several dozen regulatory veterinarians, employed by racing associations or state racing ... Read full story
 2/9/2009
Helping Working Equids in Egypt   *
There are roughly 15.5 million equids in Europe and the United States combined. These animals take part in the many equestrian sports and activities that have developed, and most enjoy good nutrition and care. In contrast to this, there are more than 100 million working equids in the developing world. More than 95% of the world's donkey population ... Read full story
 1/29/2009
Veterinarian Locator Service Improved   *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), in conjunction with Bayer Healthcare Animal Health, recently launched its new and improved Get-A-DVM locator service. This online service allows horse owners to find AAEP-member veterinarians quickly and easily anywhere in the world. The GET-A-DVM search engine has been updated to include advance ... Read full story
 1/23/2009
Commentary: The Racetrack, A Changing Perspective   *
Recently a veterinary colleague remarked that a horse that had sustained a minor laceration in the starting gate had been scratched. While there was no expectation that the horse's performance would be impacted, she could not justify permitting an injured horse to race. If the same incident had occurred several years earlier, it is unlikely she would ... Read full story
 1/20/2009
Commentary: Equine Medicine Has Come a Long Way  *
While I was in veterinary school 20-some years ago, the first ultrasound machine was being "explored" by board-certified veterinary radiologists at university veterinary schools. Pain medication for horses was mostly limited to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, and dipyrone (no longer available). Other ... Read full story
 1/7/2009
AAEP Racing Task Force Puts the Horse First   *
"We have a crisis in Thoroughbred racing," stated Scott Palmer, VMD, of New Jersey, a past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and head of the AAEP Racing Task Force. The AAEP Racing Task Force was conceived in Austin, Texas, at the organization's Focus meeting because of the country's outcry following the catastrophic ... Read full story
 12/17/2008
Vet Teaching Horse Retires After 24 Years on the Job   *
Sugar, a 27-year-old Spanish Barb horse, has played a role in the education of almost all of the 2,109 doctor of veterinary medicine graduates from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech during her 24 years on the job. Now, after a job well done, Sugar has retired and found a new home. Linda Correll, a former ... Read full story
 12/16/2008
California Vet Service Tax Fails; Might Resurface   *
Last week, the California State Senate and Assembly rejected Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to balance the budget, which included the addition of a sales tax to veterinary services. Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency for the state of California Dec. 1 and called for a legislative special session with the new legislature, which was ... Read full story
 12/3/2008
A Need for Compounding  *
Veterinary compounding is an alternative source of medications when there are no commercially available products that meet the needs of a particular patient. Compounding, by definition, is tailor-made preparation of a drug to meet the needs of a specific patient when an approved drug can't fit the bill. This can be done by modifying an approved product ... Read full story
 12/1/2008
California Governor Proposes Tax on Veterinary Services  *
In an effort to raise funds for the state, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently announced his proposal to expand sales tax to include veterinary services. If this proposal passes, the governor estimated $357 million in increased revenue could be generated over the next two years. The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) opposes ... Read full story
 11/26/2008
Efforts to Reduce Shortage of Large Animal Vets in Progress  *
The United States is facing a shortage of large-animal veterinarians that could jeopardize the nation's food supply, and result in diseases spreading from animals to humans, according to a veterinary scientist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. All veterinary fields have looming shortages both nationally and internationally, said David ... Read full story
 11/25/2008
Technicians a Crucial Component of Veterinary Care   *
Since the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Teaching Hospital opened its doors, technicians have been working alongside veterinarians to provide the highest quality for hospital patients. While the facilities, equipment, and personnel might have changed over the past 28 years, one thing remains the same: the critical ... Read full story
 11/21/2008
Survey of Veterinarians Shows High Job Satisfaction  *
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) 2007 Member Needs Assessment surveyed members regarding job satisfaction and happiness. That data was then compared to existing job satisfaction data taken from a study published by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago. That comparison revealed that veterinarians ... Read full story
 11/13/2008
Shortage of Large Animal Vets Taxes Farmers   *
This summer, Steve Sanford had to tell 106 dairy farmers in rural northern Vermont he could no longer treat their cows. Battling degenerative arthritis, the 56-year-old large animal veterinarian can't do the physically challenging work any more. Worse, he can't find anyone who will, having already tried to recruit a bovine veterinarian to join his ... Read full story
 10/3/2008
Mississippi State Vet School Adds Ambulatory Service  *
Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine ambulatory service is catching on as a win-win opportunity for both vet students and area horse owners. David Christiansen, DVM, assistant professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, is spearheading the mobile service, which got under way in the fall of 2007. A ... Read full story
 10/1/2008
Fuel Shortages Affect Vets, Horse Owners in Southeast   *
As if economic challenges weren't enough for horse owners, there are now reports of fuel shortages throughout northern Georgia and into the Carolinas. The shortage has been affecting everything from scheduling veterinary appointments to how equine businesses are operating. "We're planning our non-emergency appointments and daily trips to conserve ... Read full story
 9/30/2008
Ohio State Receives Science Faculty Diversity Grant   *
The Ohio State University will use federal funding to help female faculty advance in the sciences by launching a five-year initiative to change academic departmental culture in disciplines in which women are underrepresented on the faculty. The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Ohio State a $3.6 million grant to fund a program called Project ... Read full story
 9/29/2008
Who's Your Vet   *
Horse owners have noticed a shift in who their medical caregivers are, and that trend will continue in the coming decade For anyone with a horse, it might come as no surprise that in recent years you’ve been seeing a definite change in the complexion of the equine veterinary work force: more women. This trend has been steadily increasing over the ... Read full story
 9/5/2008
Promoting Equine Veterinary Practice to Vet Students  *
More than 800 third-year veterinary students were given a fully sponsored trip to attend the Opportunities in Equine Practice Seminar (OEPS) in Lexington, Ky., over Labor Day weekend. Members of the veterinary class of 2010 were given the opportunity to visit horse farms, veterinary clinics, a therapy farm, and other equine-related attractions to get ... Read full story
 9/2/2008
Joint Injections: Pros and Cons  *
Joint injections can safely localize lameness or medicate a joint, but occasionally they can cause complications, too. Equine veterinarians recommend and perform joint injections for a variety of reasons. The two most common are 1) to anesthetize or "block" a joint to assist in lameness localization, and 2) to administer medications directly into ... Read full story
 9/1/2008
Tropical Storm Fay Damages Equine Hospital   *
Although Tropical Storm Fay attacked the Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington, Fla., with a vengeance on Aug. 19, no people or horses were injured. The veterinarians were quickly back at work, and the clinic was running fairly normally as of Aug. 22. "We're definitely functional," said Dawn Loesch, DVM, one of the clinic's veterinarians. "None ... Read full story
 8/22/2008
Equine Veterinarian Dies of Hendra Virus   *
One of the two equine hospital staff workers hospitalized with Hendra virus in Australia has died. Veterinarian Ben Cunneen, BVSc, died Wednesday. He had contracted Hendra virus from a horse hospitalized at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic on the outskirts of the city of Brisbane in the state of Queensland. A nurse and another veterinarian have also ... Read full story
 8/21/2008
New Treatments for Severe Colic  *
Addressing your horse’s clinical signs early is the key. Severe colic is characterized by intractable pain and signs of septic shock, which is any type of loss or poor distribution of blood supply caused by bacteria or their toxins. The bacterial toxin we most commonly think about is endotoxin, so horses are usually called endotoxemic when their gum ... Read full story
 8/1/2008
Equine Dentistry: Straight From the Horse's Mouth
As a veterinarian with more than 20 years of experience in veterinary dentistry, James Anthony, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, offers a unique perspective on issues related to this specialized field, the growing recognition of dentistry's importance in equine health--and a glimpse of its future. Anthony is a 1983 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine ... Read full story
 7/19/2008
Vet, Human Medicine Collaboration Report Released  *
The executive summary of a report by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) One Health Initiative Task Force appears in the July 15 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). This summary provides recommendations and strategic actions to support and expand the concept of "One Health" across all health professions, ... Read full story
 7/16/2008
CDC Study: Equine Practitioner Hygiene Could Use Improvement   *
In a multi-institutional study coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers found that many veterinarians do not consistently engage in behaviors or practices that are widely deemed protective against the spread and transmission of zoonotic diseases. Emerging infectious diseases are those that have appeared in ... Read full story
 7/2/2008
Wisconsin Group Works to Attract Students to Large Animal Practice   *
There has been much publicity lately about changes in the agricultural industry, accompanied by studies suggesting there will be fewer large-animal veterinarians. Part of the challenge is that as the size of individual herds grows, fewer families are farming. In turn, that means fewer youngsters are exposed to the farming lifestyle. And even those ... Read full story
 6/27/2008
States of Confusion: Regulation of Complementary Therapies   *
Not too many years ago, proponents of massage therapy, acupuncture and acupressure, chiropractic, and other complementary or alternative therapies for animals often were dismissed as part of the lunatic fringe. Today, with apologies to Bob Dylan, the times they are a changing. According to a 2005 survey conducted by the North Carolina Horse Council, ... Read full story
 6/27/2008
Dirty Jobs for Horses: Charlie Brown, Blood Donor and Teacher  *
Veterinary teaching hospitals save horses' lives and train future veterinarians. But along with the human faculty, another type of staff member has an integral role in training new vets to care for your horse. "Our teaching horses are very valued members of our teaching facility," stated Beth Davis, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor of Equine ... Read full story
 6/26/2008
Maryland Veterinary Practice Act Under Fire   *
Mercedes Clemens is a licensed massage therapist who lives in Rockville, Md. Her patients included both humans and animals (primarily horses) until February, when she received a cease and desist order from the Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners threatening her license to practice on humans if she continued to work on animals. Clemens abandoned ... Read full story
 6/13/2008
Vet Shortage Could Put Squeeze on Horse Owners   *
The nation could face a shortage of as many as 4,000 veterinarians in the next six years, if current trends continue, according to a recent study based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Researchers at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University found while examining the data that veterinary schools will only produce about ... Read full story
 6/12/2008
AVMA Adds Animal Welfare Page to Web site   *
To help veterinarians and the general public understand the complexity and passion behind animal welfare issues, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has launched its first Web section devoted entirely to animal welfare information. The new area of the AVMA site went live June 4. It offers links to brochures, policy statements, commentary ... Read full story
 6/10/2008
Weak Economy Challenges Veterinarians  *
Recently, Tim Van Der Ploeg, DVM, received a call from one of his clients, who was seeking help for her horse. She thought the animal was suffering from tetanus. "I told her what we could do, and how much treatment would cost," said Van Der Ploeg, who practices in Somerset, Ky., "but she said she'd only taken ownership of the horse because it was ... Read full story
 6/5/2008
Study Highlights Veterinary Contribution to Economy   *
Veterinary medicine contributes $3.3 billion to the economies of New England, but the region could face shortage of as many as 658 veterinarians by 2014, according to a study by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The study--undertaken by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute and commissioned by the Cummings ... Read full story
 6/4/2008
Healthy Horses Workshop: Acupuncture and Chiropractic
During the annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, one day is set aside for horse owners in the area to listen to experts in the field lecture and demonstrate on specific aspects involved in the overall wellness, training, and care of the horse. This program is known as the Healthy Horses Workshop. The December 2007 ... Read full story
 5/12/2008
What's Going on in There? Diagnostics for the Chronically Infertile Mare
When examining the chronically infertile mare, it's important to remember that the uterus is not an organ suspended in space--it must be viewed as one part in a complex system. Anything affecting the animal, no matter how remote, can have an effect on the reproductive system, according to Michelle LeBlanc, DVM, Dipl. ACT, a practitioner with Rood & ... Read full story
 5/8/2008
Equine Summit Tackles Competitive Horse Health Care   *
The Well-being of the Competitive Horse was one of three major industry issues addressed during the Kentucky International Equine Summit. Today's summit agenda was comprised of panel discussions entitled: The function requirements for competition, Biomechanics and equine locomotion, Surface technologies in equine sports, and The initial ... Read full story
 4/29/2008
Palm Beach Equine Medical Purchases Embryo Transfer Facility  *
Palm Beach Equine Medical Centers, headquartered in Wellington, Fla., recently purchased the New Bridge Embryo Centre in Aiken, S.C. The facility is now called the Palm Beach Equine Embryo Center (PBEEC). The goal is to continue to provide top-notch equine embryo transfers to the polo market, while expanding the services to the sport horse and performance ... Read full story
 4/25/2008
Equine Locomotor Pathology Group Moves Toward Certification  *
The International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP) held the first of its second series of lectures earlier this month. Around 100 veterinarians attended the weekend course hosted by Virginia Equine Imaging and led by Jean-Marie Denoix, DVM, PhD, of Centre d'Imagerie et de Recherche sur les Affections Locomotrices Equines in Goustranville, ... Read full story
 4/25/2008
OIE Director to be Presented First Penn Vet World Award  *
(From a University of Pennsylvania Release) On April 29, Dr. Bernard Vallat, director general of the World Organization for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties, or OIE), will be the first recipient of the Penn Vet World Award at the Penn Vet Student Inspiration Awards. The awards ceremony will be held in Irvine Auditorium on the campus ... Read full story
 4/22/2008
Service Pony Recovers from Health Crisis  *
Thanks to the skill and kindness of several Texas veterinarians, a blind woman's assistive guide pony is recuperating from serious illness. Trixie is a nearly 14-year-old Pony of the Americas mare, and she has been Tabitha Darling's service animal for seven years. Darling is legally blind, and while she can't see well enough to drive a car, she can ... Read full story
 4/10/2008
How to Block the Ear  *
A few horses out there like to have their ears rubbed, but many are tolerant of ear handling at best, and violently ear shy at worst. When these horses need to have veterinary work done around their ears, such as biopsies or stitching of lacerations, sedation alone often isn't enough to get the job done. Last year veterinarians at the University of ... Read full story
 4/6/2008
Commentary: Working With Your Veterinarian  *
"Please help! My 10-year-old Quarter Horse has been down in the pasture for two days and won't get up. What should I do?" "A week ago I saw my horse bitten by a skunk in broad daylight. I dressed the wounds, but after searching the internet, I'm concerned about rabies. Should I vaccinate him?" To an equine practitioner, these sound like typical ... Read full story
 4/3/2008
Readers Respond: Breeding Barrier  *
More than 1,000 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Have you ever had a veterinarian perform a Caslick's procedure on a mare?" Results were as follows: No: 49.59% (538) Yes: 43.69% (474)) What's that?: 6.73% (73) Read more about Caslick's procedures. Results of weekly polls from TheHorse.com are published ... Read full story
 4/1/2008
Readers Respond: Just Ain't Right  *
Nearly 2,000 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, " What do you do when your horse isn't acting normal, but doesn't show specific clinical signs?" Results were as follows: Monitor your horse's vital signs and call your veterinarian if he doesn't seem better soon: 78.73% (1,510) Call your veterinarian immediately: 9.54% ... Read full story
 3/24/2008
In-Depth: Examining the Equine Eye   *
Dennis Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVO, of the University of Florida veterinary school, led the panel at the in-depth session on ophthalmology at the 2007 AAEP convention in Orlando, Fla., held Dec. 1-5. He was excited to share many new ideas that have developed in the last six months to allow veterinarians to save eyes and sight. He stressed that in ... Read full story
 3/24/2008
Rural Areas Face Veterinarian Shortage  *
Bill Bennett has spent 45 years feeding and herding 2,500 cattle on his rolling eastern Washington ranch. He's also had to act as a doctor because he's unable to find a veterinarian who will come to his rural spread. He's not alone, as farmers and ranchers across the country complain of a shortage of large-animal veterinarians. A federal program ... Read full story
 3/10/2008
Dealing with Emerging Infectious Diseases  *
Scientists are becoming increasingly concerned about the marked and persistent development of emerging infectious diseases--infections that are new to a population or geographic area, have appeared more frequently, or have become more virulent (able to cause disease). Within the past two decades, the list of emerging infectious diseases and pathogens ... Read full story
 3/5/2008
Lameness Exams in Horses  *
Lameness problems in horses are an ever-growing concern for horse owners. With a rising demand for top performance, the challenge is for veterinarians to keep up with improved diagnostics and treatment modalities. Furthermore, many work-ups today are related to improving performance, not just solving an obvious lameness issue, as subtle pain can hamper ... Read full story
 3/1/2008
AVMA President Testifies on Looming Vet Shortage  *
The president of the nation's largest veterinary association appeared before a Congressional subcommittee Feb. 7 and urged the United States Department of Agriculture to implement a long-standing but dormant program that would help address a critical shortage in the number of veterinarians. Gregory S. Hammer, DVM, president of the American Veterinary ... Read full story
 2/8/2008
TheHorse.com Videos: Vet Procedures
New glaucoma procedure (Courtesy Dr. James Clinton) (0:51 min) 12/13/07 Read article University of Georgia staff corrects uterine torsion using ropes, a plank of wood, and a burly volunteer (0:41 min) 11/6/07 Read article Dr. Bruce Lyle's Matscan pressure mat for gait analysis (1:21 min) 8/27/07 Read article Matscan to assess and ... Read full story
 2/4/2008
Emergency C-Section  *
With the right care, mare and foal can survive this critical event. The first step in the decision to do a Caesarean section is that all other forms of help have been exhausted. Often, C-section candidates have already been in labor for quite some time on the farm, where manual manipulation has been tried. If it takes very long to haul the mare ... Read full story
 2/1/2008
Transcript: Talkin' Horses with Equine Surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage  *
Equine surgeon Larry R. Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, joined readers for Thursday's edition of BloodHorse.com's "Talkin' Horses" sponsored by ExclusivelyEquine.com. He was the featured guest online at BloodHorse.com/talkinhorses on Thursday, Dec. 15, at noon ET. Bramlage is a past president of the American Association of Equine Practioners (AAEP), and ... Read full story
 12/14/2007
Wisconsin Vet School Techs Gain Anesthesia Certification  *
Three certified veterinary technicians at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine recently attained specialty certification in anesthesia. In addition to an examination, Mary Graber (Marshall, Wis.), Kristen Hunyady (Madison, Wis.), and Karen Majerus (Oregon, Wis.) had to complete a minimum of 4,500 hours of anesthesia care ... Read full story
 12/7/2007
Wedgewood Pharmacy Now Exchanging Expired Medications  *
Wedgewood Pharmacy recently introduced the Refresh Exchange Program, which allows veterinarians to return expired custom-compounded medications for exchange at no cost. The program is a first in the compounding pharmacy profession. Through the program, the company will exchange unopened, expired compounded veterinary medications that are in its regular ... Read full story
 12/3/2007
Education Summit Focuses on Attracting, Keeping Equine Vets   *
Nationally recognized educators and private practitioners gathered in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 10, to discuss how to recruit more equine veterinarians and ensure those currently in the profession are retained. The American Association of Equine Practitioners sponsored the first Summit on Equine Veterinary Education to start a dialogue about key career ... Read full story
 11/12/2007
Virginia Tech Equine Vets Earn their Stripes Performing Colic Surgery on Zebra   *
Jennifer Brown, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, clinical assistant professor in emergency care and equine surgery at Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, recently performed colic surgery on a 2-year-old male Grevy's zebra named Dante at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park onsite veterinary hospital in the District of Columbia. The zoo's ... Read full story
 11/8/2007
Focus on Lameness  *
See what veterinarians and owners learned during the AAEP's late summer meeting on lameness. Want to know what veterinarians talk about when they get together? This year it was lameness. Late each summer the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) hosts a seminar focusing on one particular aspect of equine health. The 2007 AAEP Focus ... Read full story
 11/1/2007
U.K. Horse Welfare Group Launches Scholarship Program for Vet Students   *
The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) has launched a new scholarship program for undergraduate veterinary students in order to encourage the advancement of veterinary education and equine welfare, and also to familiarize final year vet students with the group's work, the organization announced today. The scholarships, which ... Read full story
 10/23/2007
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
Florida Equine Vets Promote Excellence at Third Annual Symposium   *
More than 170 equine practitioners from Florida met Sept. 27-29 at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, the Bahamas, for the third annual Florida Association of Equine Practitioners (FAEP) Promoting Excellence Symposium. "We've had an overwhelming response to this meeting," said FAEP President Timothy Lynch, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. "It's only our third ... Read full story
 10/1/2007
Veterinary Students Learn About Equine Practice  *
A total of 527 third-year veterinary students from 34 schools across the country attended the Opportunities in Equine Practice Seminar (OEPS) 2007 over Labor Day weekend. The seminar offered all-expenses-paid trips to Lexington, Ky., to learn more about being an equine veterinarian, visit horse farms, and tour vet clinics and Keeneland racetrack. The ... Read full story
 9/5/2007
Equine Dentists Challenge Texas Law  *
A showdown is looming in Texas between a group of equine dentists and the Texas State Board of Veterinary Examiners over who should be allowed to work on a horse's teeth. The State Board fired the first shot in the exchange earlier this year by sending out cease and desist orders instructing several dentistry practitioners to close their practices ... Read full story
 8/29/2007
Preparing a Veterinary Practice for a Hurricane   *
Careful planning can help a veterinary practice, its patients, and the area equestrian community to ride through and recover from a hurricane. Dana N. Zimmel, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ABVP, clinical assistant professor in the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine, described steps for veterinarians in hurricane-prone areas to take long ... Read full story
 7/14/2007
Septicemia: Early Detection Is Important  *
A recently published study could help veterinarians predict the causative agents of a deadly bloodstream infection (septicemia) common in newborn foals by characterizing clinical signs associated with different types of bacteria. "Infection in the bloodstream is the number one cause of death in foals less than seven days old," explained Kevin Corley, ... Read full story
 6/22/2007
Dentistry Part 5: Surgical Procedures  *
The field of equine dentistry is as broad as the field of human dentistry. While your family dentist receives special training in a wide range of topics on general dental care, the endodontist, orthodontist, periodontist, and oromaxillofacial surgeon receive special training to care for more complex problems involving the dentition and the intricate ... Read full story
 5/1/2007
Therapeutic Options in Veterinary Research  *
Veterinarians desire to be the gatekeepers for horse health and welfare, so they need to be educated in therapeutic options to meet expectations of clients. Surveys performed by the AAEP in 1998 and 2002 indicated an increased use of and referral for therapeutic options by AAEP members. Acupuncture developed in a virtually technology-free culture ... Read full story
 4/1/2007
Lab Cytology Tests  *
Cytology, the study of cells, involves the collection and examination of cells and fluid from organs, tissues, and body cavities. Cells naturally shed from the surfaces of mucous membranes, organs, and skin lesions, and they can be collected for examination. Veterinarians can use washes to collect fluid and cells from difficult-to-reach tissues such ... Read full story
 4/1/2007
At Issue: Veterinary Care in Rural Tennessee  *
Is Tennessee experiencing a shortage in the availability of veterinary care for its large-animal and food-animal industries? How would such a shortage affect the state's economy? These questions are on the minds of producers, veterinarians and others who depend on animal-based agriculture. The conundrum is also of concern to legislators, government ... Read full story
 3/3/2007
Researchers Study Antibiotic-Resistant Staph in Horses, Humans  *
The Canadian Medical Association Journal recently reported that cases of an antibiotic-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus were on the rise in Canada. As public health officials there focus on minimizing the spread of infections in humans, veterinary health researchers have spent the past few years studying the disease and how it is transmitted ... Read full story
 1/27/2007
Air Pillow Aids Anesthesia Recovery  *
In a recent study, researchers at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine found that a rapidly inflating/deflating air pillow significantly increased the time a horse rested following anesthesia, which could reduce anesthesia recovery injuries. During the 37-month study, David Hodgson, DVM, Dipl. ACVA, associate professor with the ... Read full story
 11/11/2006
Beyond House Calls  *
If you have been at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, this week, you've seen them there. If not, you'll have about 30 more chances to meet the Equine Sports Medicine veterinary team members within the next year. The team is comprised of veterinarians and technicians who traverse the country each year setting up shop at major ... Read full story
 10/20/2006
Veterinarians Turning to Alternative Treatments  *
Henry lay quietly on the mattress, listening to the women talking above him. For the last month, arthritis had crept steadily up his leg, to the point where every painful step looked more like a stumble. ''He'll run after a tennis ball, but then he'll limp back,'' said Dana Bailey, who had accompanied him to the clinic. When she bent to gently stroke ... Read full story
 10/10/2006
New Recommendations Facilitate Modernization of Drug Manufacturing  *
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final guidance on quality systems, a set of formalized practices and procedures to ensure quality of human and veterinary drugs and human biological drug products during manufacturing. This guidance enhances FDA‚s current requirements for ensuring manufacturing quality known as the current Good Manufacturing ... Read full story
 10/8/2006
Court Ruling Keeps Compounding Legal, For Now   *
Horse owners who need medications compounded specifically for their horses will be able to obtain them through a licensed veterinarian, at least for the foreseeable future. A federal court ruling that has surprised some experts leaves the door open for pharmacists to fill veterinary prescriptions for medications compounded according to existing guidelines. ... Read full story
 9/22/2006
Veterinary Degree Offers Many Career Options  *
Fall is approaching, and that means many children and adults are going back to school to continue their education. Pursuing higher education is a proven means for advancing a career, and veterinary medicine offers several career choices for people who like to work with animals, most notably being a veterinarian. Most veterinary school graduates ... Read full story
 9/8/2006
Vet Students Wooed by Horse Industry   *
More than 450 juniors from veterinary schools across the country were given all-expenses-paid trips to Lexington, Ky., over Labor Day Weekend for the 2006 Opportunities in Equine Practice Seminar (OEPS). This seminar was the brainchild of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital co-founder Bill Rood, DVM. The program is designed to educate veterinary students ... Read full story
 9/5/2006
Lay Equine Dentist Files Veterinary Practice Act Lawsuit in Minnesota  *
The Institute for Justice Minnesota Chapter has announced in a press release that it is challenging the state's veterinary licensing process on behalf of a lay (non-veterinarian) equine dentist who is referred to as a "teeth floater." Chris Johnson, the lay dentist, filed suit Aug. 16 in Minnesota's First Judicial District in Glencoe, Minn. (55 miles ... Read full story
 8/17/2006
Canada's Vet Definition Dilemmas  *
The Supreme Court of British Columbia's recent injunction prohibiting a farrier from practicing equine dentistry is the latest episode in an ongoing conflict between the veterinary associations of Canada's three westernmost provinces, animal owners, and industry stakeholders. The Court ruled Bill Bishop, who operated a busy equine dental business, ... Read full story
 8/15/2006
Altitude Affects Anesthesia  *
High altitudes can affect an animal's blood pressure; it's the reason athletes must acclimate themselves to high altitude conditions long before they compete in them. University of California (UC), Davis, researchers were concerned that this could pose risks to equine patients undergoing surgical procedures in the field setting that required anesthesia, ... Read full story
 7/1/2006
New "Shadow a Veterinarian" Program Available for Students  *
The AAEP Student Program and the AAEP Foundation have created the "Shadow a Veterinarian" program for students of all ages interested in pursuing a career in equine veterinary medicine. Participating AAEP member veterinarians serve in a mentor-like capacity. Students benefit from diverse experiences, such as riding along for farm calls or spending ... Read full story
 6/28/2006
Research Summit Addresses Need for Increased Funding for Equine Projects  *
How to increase funding for equine research was the primary focus of a collaborative equine research summit held in Lexington, Ky., April 19 - 20. Hosted by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation, Inc., over 35 leading researchers, industry leaders and funding agencies gathered to develop a blueprint for future success in ... Read full story
 6/27/2006
University of Minnesota Board of Regents Approves Plans for Equine Treatment and Research Center  *
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved plans for the new University of Minnesota Equine Center on June 8 (click here to read the announcement of the plans to build the center). "The recent events surrounding the horse Barbaro has revealed how specialized and advanced equine care has become," said University of Minnesota President Robert ... Read full story
 6/19/2006
Senate to Vote on Florida Veterinary Practice Act  *
Two years after the Florida Board of Veterinary Practice formally interpreted the state's Veterinary Practice Act to include a number of alternative therapies among practices limited to licensed veterinarians--to the dismay of many horse owners and alternative therapy practitioners--the state legislature is close to resolving the dispute. House Bill ... Read full story
 6/1/2006
University of Minnesota Planning $14 million Equine Center  *
On May 10, the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), received the green light to build a proposed $14-million equine center. The complex, which will initially be financed by an internal loan from the university, will eventually be paid for through private donations from horse lovers and equine businesses. The complex is ... Read full story
 5/16/2006
Hospital Footwear and Bacteria  *
A study published in the April edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) shows little difference in bacteria counts collected in an equine hospital while staff observed different footwear protocols. Researchers at the Colorado State University Veterinary Medical Center studied bacteria samples from the hospital ... Read full story
 5/15/2006
Senate to Vote on Florida Veterinary Practice Act Questions  *
Two years after the Florida Board of Veterinary Practice formally interpreted the state's veterinary practice act to include a number of alternative therapies among practices limited to licensed veterinarians--to the dismay of many horse owners and alternative therapy practitioners--the state legislature is close to resolving the dispute. House Bill ... Read full story
 4/21/2006
University of California Davis Completes Installation of Eklin Digital Radiography Platform  *
(Edited press release) Eklin Medical Systems, PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), and Practice Information Management (PIMS) software for the veterinary care market, announced the company has completed installation of its Eklin Digital Practice solution at the University of California (UC), Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. The ... Read full story
 4/10/2006
Why Vets Get Kicked   *
A Swiss study of kick injuries to veterinarians found that the risk of injury to those treating horses is highest when performing painful procedures on the horse. In the study, Sabina Jaeggin, an assistant in the Vetsuisse Fakulty in Zurich, reviewed questionnaires from 216 Swiss vets. The questionnaire surveyed the seasons during which the kick injuries ... Read full story
 3/1/2006
AAEP Convention 2005: More Veterinary Students Going Into Equine Medicine  *
A few years ago the American Association of Equine Parishioners identified a disturbing trend: The number of veterinary graduates pursuing careers in equine medicine was dwindling. Long hours, low pay, and lack of expertise were seen as common causes of the trend. In an effort to counter this negative perception, the AAEP--with the help of several ... Read full story
 2/17/2006
Christmas Giving  *
Two months, three hurricanes, five states, hundreds dead, thousands homeless, billions of dollars in damage. How can we understand? More importantly, how can we help? In last month's issue, we devoted many pages to covering what happened in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We've discussed specific and general needs ... Read full story
 12/1/2005
Helping Horses Worldwide  *
As a responsible horse owner, you make management decisions that affect the current well-being of your horse and his future vitality. You order low-dust bedding for your gelding with heaves. Your veterinarian arrives for her scheduled visit and you observe as she administers your mare's autumn vaccinations. You keep the new pony that shipped in yesterday ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
Nasal Septum Resection   *
If the nasal septum—the bony structure that divides the left and right halves of the nasal cavity—becomes deviated or thickened, the nasal passages become narrowed and breathing is impaired. Left untreated, it can lead to exercise intolerance and respiratory distress. In severe cases, resection or surgical removal of the nasal septum is required to ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
Penn's Veterinary School Successfully Completes Kresge Challenge  *
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has successfully completed the Kresge Challenge, a $1.5 million grant from the Kresge Foundation of Troy, MI. The grant will be used toward completing the new teaching and research building, which was named the Vernon and Shirley Hill Pavilion in September 2005. The building is due to open ... Read full story
 10/28/2005
Mandatory Disclosure of Veterinary Practices Postponed   *
The Monitoring Committee for the Sales Integrity Program has postponed implementation of the mandatory disclosure of acceptable veterinary practices, says the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The program's code of ethics defines these practices as surgeries designed to affect permanent changes in a horse's conformation, including transphyseal ... Read full story
 10/1/2005
Redden Reopens Podiatry Practice  *
LAMENESS PRACTICE IN KENTUCKY VERSAILLES, Ky. -- R.F. (Ric) Redden, DVM has reopened his equine podiatry practice and will treat diseases and injuries associated with the equine foot on a strict outpatient basis. The clinic is located at the International Equine Podiatry Center at 8235 McCowans Ferry Road in Versailles, Ky. "Two and a half years ... Read full story
 9/19/2005
MRSA Surveillance in Horses at a Hospital   *
Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) upon arrival to a vet hospital is useful for detecting cases of the "superbug" early so affected horses can be isolated, said Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl. ACVIM, an associate professor at the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). This reduces the chance of spreading ... Read full story
 8/1/2005
Young Researchers Honored   *
Research awards are given each year to American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) residents authoring the best abstracts at the ACVIM forum. Two equine projects received awards on June 4 in Baltimore, Md. Luis Arroyo, DVM, of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College, examined the role of Clostridium difficile in duodenitis proximal jejunitis ... Read full story
 8/1/2005
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
Responsible Needle Disposal  *
Photo Courtesy EquiMedic USA We've all seen the pictures on the evening news of hypodermic needles showing up and floating up in harmful places--street gutters, beaches and road side ditches. As horse owners we should all be asking ourselves how many of those nasty sharps started out on that journey in our horse barns and stables across rural and ... Read full story
 6/27/2005
Dedicated to Horse Health  *
Have you ever wished for newer and better treatment for a sick horse? The AAEP Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), is working to meet this need. Created in 1994, the AAEP Foundation's mission is to improve the health and welfare of the horse through research, education, benevolence, and equine ... Read full story
 6/1/2005
Veterinarians Discuss Client Credit Policies  *
In an ideal world, horses would only require veterinary care between the convenient hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and veterinarians always would be paid at the time of service. While the late-night emergency call is inevitable, high receivables on services rendered are not, and veterinarians must identify and implement business strategies that will reduce ... Read full story
 5/27/2005
Federal Bill Introduced to Expand Veterinary Workforce  *
In response to an increased threat with the use of biological agents for terrorism purposes, The Veterinary Workforce Expansion Act of 2005 (S. 914 and HR 2206) has been introduced to the House and Senate. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO), a retired private practice veterinarian for 20 years and graduate of Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, ... Read full story
 5/17/2005
Recognizing and Responding to Neglect   *
Equine veterinarians are in a unique position to recognize neglect or the potential for neglect in horses. They have direct access to horses and horse property, and they get to know horses and their owners by providing care for many years. As regular outsiders, equine veterinarians might pick up on trends of which the horse's owner could be unaware. ... Read full story
 4/1/2005
AAEP Convention 2004 Wrap-Up: Therapeutic Options   *
Controversies: A Mixed Bag Of Medications Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, DSc, FRCVS, DrMedVet (hc), Dipl. ACVS, director of Colorado State University's Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, presented "Licensed Medications, 'Generic' Medications, Compounding, and Nutraceuticals--What has Been Scientifically Validated, Where Do We Encounter ... 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
AAEP Convention 2004: Sunrise Session--Colic  *
As one might expect in a gathering of equine veterinarians discussing colic, much of the Sunrise Session dedicated to the topic covered evaluation of the colicky horse to determine severity and decide on medical vs. surgical management. Moderators Dana Zimmel, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ABVP, assistant professor of equine extension at the University of ... Read full story
 2/16/2005
AAEP Convention 2004: Hock Injections  *
The hock, or tarsus, is a complex collection of joints in the horse. Identifying lameness in one or more of those joints, and treating the problem, can be challenging. However, Alberto Serena, DMV, MRCVS, of Auburn University, and colleagues have found that injecting medication into one joint can treat an adjacent joint as well. This study demonstrated ... Read full story
 2/14/2005
AAEP Convention 2004: Silicone to Lube Joints?  *
"We had heard several anecdotal reports of intra-articular administration of liquid silicone being used as a lubricant in equine joints (to treat osteoarthritis)," began Daniel Burba, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, professor of equine surgery at Louisiana State University, at the 50th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in Denver, ... Read full story
 2/14/2005
AAEP Convention 2004: How to Work Up a Horse with Seizures  *
Equine seizures can be disturbing to witness, and they can be puzzling for a veterinarian to diagnose, simply because the veterinarian isn't always there to watch the horse as it has a seizure. Diagnostic tests can be expensive and time-consuming, but are necessary to determine the cause of the seizures and help identify ways to prevent them in the ... Read full story
 2/14/2005
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
Assessing Multiple Limb Lameness  *
"Horses with lameness in more than one limb are a diagnostic challenge, especially if both a forelimb and a hindlimb are involved," said Sue J. Dyson, FRCVS, of the Center for Equine Studies at the Animal Health Trust, during her presentation on the topic at the 43rd British Equine Veterinary Association Congress, held Sept. 15-18 in Birmingham, U.K. ... Read full story
 1/18/2005
Practice-Management Solutions Available to Equine Veterinarians  *
Overworked equine veterinarians now can better juggle their dual roles of DVM and practice manager. Intervet Inc., one of the world’s leading animal-health companies, unveiled it's Partner's in Practice program at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Meeting in Denver, Colo., held Dec. 5-8. The program allows equine veterinarians ... Read full story
 12/10/2004
Injecting Cervical Facet Joints   *
The ability to accurately locate and inject the cervical vertebral facet joints, the joints that lie between the transverse processes of the vertebrae, has significant advantages, including the performance of regional nerve blocks and intra-articular (within the joint) injection treatments. Unfortunately, unlike humans, horses don't have readily palpable ... Read full story
 12/1/2004
Anesthesia and the Equine Brain   *
In horses, the gas anesthetic isoflurane can produce decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) as well as cerebral perfusion pressure (that pushes blood into the brain). The implication is that decreased cerebral perfusion pressure leads to decreased cerebral blood flow and oxygenation, which could damage brain cells. Usually, anesthetized horses ... Read full story
 9/1/2004
Arthroscopy for Meniscal Tears   *
A meniscus is an interarticular (between joints) synovial cartilage or membrane. Meniscal tears in the stifle joint are well described in human athletes and dogs. Despite a few published reports in horses, however, the condition remains difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat because of a paucity of information regarding arthroscopic ... Read full story
 9/1/2004
It's Bad, It's Very Bad...  *
Midnight has come and gone by the time the Central Kentucky horseman pulls into the stableyard and unloads the young black mare. Both are bone-weary after a 15-hour trip home from the trainer's stable. The man leans on the fence, watching the horse nose around a small paddock lit by a dim light. Tired as he is, he decides to observe the filly just ... Read full story
 7/1/2004
Closing the Door to Problems  *
One of the most frequent terms you will hear used by veterinarians during breeding season is Caslick's. This mare needs one, or this mare is due to foal in 16 days and her Caslick's needs to be opened. If you are not familiar with broodmares, or haven't spent a lot of time around them, then this term might be unfamiliar. What is a Caslick's Procedure? ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
LSU Dedicates New Facilities   *
Louisiana State University's (LSU) College of Veterinary Medicine is an exciting place to be right now. The reinvigoration of the personnel and campus are obvious even to the casual observer. But to those who have horses treated there, or who are working at LSU to advance their educations or delve deeper into various equine research projects, there ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
Surgery for Septic Osteitis?
I read "Septic Osteitis--One Laminitis Complication." My horse has this, and I don't think my vet has had much experience in this and feels that surgery would be detrimental. I'd like to talk to someone with more experience, maybe the vet interviewed in the article, for more information. Jeanna If the bone infection is related to laminitis/founder, ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Pursuing Hope   *
Referral centers are godsends to the equine community. Often housed in state-of-the-art buildings, featuring the latest in scientific technology and equipment, and manned by specialists, referral centers offer a strong ray of hope when the best efforts by veterinarians in the field just aren't enough. There is a down side, of course: They can be expensive. ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Joint Injections: A Good Idea?   *
If you've been around horses, particularly performance horses, for even a short while, you've probably met someone who's had a horse's joints injected. The procedure--which involves injecting medication directly into the joint to combat such problems as synovitis, osteoarthritis, and arthrosis--is now commonplace. Despite prominent use and continuing ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Alberta Court Upholds Farrier's Right to Float Horse Teeth   *
The technicalities of defining veterinary medicine were tested in February in the Alberta, Canada, Court of Appeal when three appeal court justices ruled that a farrier was not guilty of illegally practicing veterinary medicine when he floated horses' teeth as a service to horse owners. According to reports in The Western Producer, an agricultural ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Farriery is Veterinary Medicine in Florida  *
On March 2, the Florida Board of Veterinary Practice (FBVP) unanimously voted that their interpretation of the state's practice act (which governs animal care and what is construed as veterinary medicine) said acupressure, aromatherapy, animal communication, farriery, flower essence therapy, homeopathy, light therapy, magnet therapy, and nutritional ... Read full story
 4/27/2004
New Facilities at LSU  *
Two building projects at Louisiana State University's (LSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, one nearly completed and one proceeding apace, will not only offer horse owners better facilities for their horses being treated at LSU, but contribute to the education of veterinary students. The dedications and grand openings of these two facilities were held ... Read full story
 4/19/2004
Internationally Recognized Veterinarians Join Team at Pfizer Animal Health  *
Robert E. Holland, Jr., DVM, PhD has joined Pfizer Animal Health's Equine division as Senior Technical Service Veterinarian. Pfizer has also recently added renowned practitioner Jay Donecker, VMD, MS, Dipl. ABVP, to its equine veterinary staff as Technical Service Veterinarian. At Pfizer Animal Health, the two internationally recognized veterinarians ... Read full story
 3/5/2004
Spaying Mares With Newer, Safer Methods   *
Spaying a mare (ovariectomy) means removing her ovaries so she no longer comes into heat and has a more mellow attitude, like a gelding. An ovariectomy can be done standing (under sedation and local anesthesia) through a flank approach or a vaginal approach. An infrequent complication associated with the old method of spaying (using a very old surgical ... Read full story
 3/2/2004
Longitudinal Tears in the DDFT   *
Horses with chronic inflammation of the digital flexor tendon (DDFT) sheath that doesn't respond to conventional therapy might be suffering from longitudinal tears in the DDFT. Warmbloods which suffer from chronic annular ligament constriction syndrome (ALCS) also could have hidden longitudinal tears. Unfortunately, it is not easy to diagnose longitudinal ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
AAEP 2003: Kester News Hour  *
With researchers worldwide working on solutions to various horse health problems, there is a veritable mountain of information being published continuously. Much of this information is included in AAEP convention presentations, but some of this valuable research was either too new or brief to be included in the program. Thus, the Kester News Hour has ... Read full story
 2/18/2004
AAEP 2003: Therapeutic Options Forum  *
Many options for treating equine ailments exist--some are more traditionally performed by veterinarians in some regions, and some are often labeled as alternative therapies and might tend to fall more to non-veterinarians. Who can legally handle the treatments that are not always performed by veterinarians can be a sticky problem, which is compounded ... Read full story
 2/3/2004
AAEP 2003: Preparation of the Mare for Normal Foaling  *
Tom Riddle, DVM, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., began the in-depth session on "The Foal: Birth to One Month" with a discussion on how to prepare the third-trimester mare for normal foaling. His discussion included his management procedures within his Kentucky veterinary practice, which deals mainly with Thoroughbreds. However, ... Read full story
 1/31/2004
AAEP 2003: Dystocia Management  *
When a mare is in trouble during foaling, a referral hospital might be the best option for survival of the mare and foal. Dystocia (difficult birth) is a true emergency where minutes count, emphasized Rolf Embertson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., in his presentation "Dystocia Management" during the in-depth ... Read full story
 1/31/2004
AAEP 2003: Alternative Site for Collecting Blood  *
The jugular vein is the most common place to draw blood from a horse; however, this is not always possible. If the jugular vein is damaged or if the horse is no longer tolerant of the procedure, there is an alternative location to draw blood, said Honor Ame Walesby, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Louisiana State University, during her presentation at the ... Read full story
 1/31/2004
Diagnosing Septic Foals   *
No one test can reliably diagnose septicemia (systemic infection) in a foal. The clinician must wait for the results of blood cultures, which can take days. However, preliminary studies of a blood protein called serum amyloid A (SAA) have shown it to rapidly increase in response to inflammatory diseases. Until now, fibrinogen (soluble plasma protein) ... Read full story
 11/1/2003
Surviving Colic  *
In decades past, colic treatment was actually a misnomer. "Treatment" consisted of waiting out the colic while offering sedative-like drugs to dampen a horse's misery. Either his body healed of its own accord, or he succumbed to death from overwhelming pain and shock. Veterinarians were reluctant to euthanize a horse with colic because one could never ... Read full story
 11/1/2003
Compounding Roundtable Transcript  *
Following is the transcript of the Roundtable Discussion on Compounding for the Equine Veterinary Profession sponsored by Luitpold Animal Health and held in New York on Aug. 30. In attendance were Gary White, DVM (Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, who acted as moderator); C. Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, FRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, ECVS (representing the American Association ... Read full story
 10/22/2003
Wanted: Career Revival   *
The talks in the conference room to the group of bright, young attendees might have sounded a bit like a revival to the uninitiated. In fact it was...well, a bit like a revival. And one that is needed sooner rather than later. Last year, from the 2,243 students who graduated from veterinary schools in North America, only 94 (4%) said they planned to ... Read full story
 10/1/2003
She Ain't What She Used to Be   *
The aging process takes its toll in many ways on horses and humans. When women reach a certain age, for example, they experience menopause, a transitional period when Nature serves notice that they no longer can bear children. With horses, that stage of life is less pronounced, with some mares capable of bearing foals almost up to the time of death. ... Read full story
 8/1/2003
University of Florida Veterinary College Honors 2003 Distinguished Award Winners  *
Two veterinarians who have had significant impact on Florida’s equine veterinary community were recently honored through the University of Florida (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine’s 2003 Distinguished Awards program. Lisa Conti, DVM, Dipl. ACVP, Florida’s state public health veterinarian, and Ellis Greiner, PhD, UF professor of parasitology, an ... Read full story
 7/3/2003
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
Tenoscopy for Tendon Injuries   *
Penetrating injuries near the fetlock can be very serious because of their proximity to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), which flexes the lower limb joints, and its sheath. While a horse might have only a small cut or puncture wound, the internal injury can create severe or even non-weight-bearing lameness. If left untreated or undertreated (with ... Read full story
 7/1/2003
Uterine Lavage Before Insemination Not Harmful to Fertility   *
Uterine lavage can be performed immediately prior to artificial insemination in mares without adversely affecting fertility, according to a recent study completed at the University of Idaho (UI) in Moscow, Idaho. The uterine lavage process is used to clear the uterus of inflammatory fluids that could decrease the viability of semen in mares. Researchers ... Read full story
 6/1/2003
What Only Veterinarians Can Do   *
Each state has a veterinary practice act, which is a legal interpretation of what constitutes veterinary practice in that state on all species. For example, chiropractic or acupuncture might be considered veterinarian-only skills in some states, while in other states they can be performed by a skilled lay person under a licensed veterinarian's direction. ... Read full story
 5/1/2003
Genetic Defects Statement Issued by the American Association of Equine Practitioners   *
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently re-stated a policy that surgical correction of "genetic defects" for the purposes of concealing the defect is unethical. The policy states that if surgical correction is undertaken for the purpose of improving the health of the individual, then it should be accompanied by sterilization to ... Read full story
 5/1/2003
Leg Amputation   *
"If a horse needs an amputation or he's not going to live, that's not much of a choice," began Ric Redden, DVM, founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center and host of the 2003 Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium, in a presentation on Jan. 18. "Horses with catastrophic injury or disease of the lower limb are most often euthanized as there is irreversible ... Read full story
 4/14/2003
Wall Ablation for High-Scale (Severe) Laminitis   *
“Laminitis remains one of the deadliest syndromes facing your athlete, companion, or brood stock,” saids Ric Redden, DVM, host of the 16th annual Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium and founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center in Versailles, Ky. “When not fatal it can be a crippling disease; fortunately, progress in the field of podiatry is changing ... Read full story
 4/14/2003
Conservative Therapy for Crooked Foals   *
The most common angular limb deformity in foals is carpus valgus (sometimes called toeing out) in which affected foals have limbs that flare outward below the carpus (knee). This deformity can be corrected surgically with hemi-circumferential periosteal transection and elevation (HCPTE). The procedure involves lifting the fibrous layer, called the ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
Ouch! That Hurts!  *
Pain. The Merriam-Webster electronic dictionary defines pain as 1: punishment; 2: usually localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury); also, a basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and ... Read full story
 3/1/2003
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
AAEP 2002: Injecting the Sacroiliac Joint   *
Acute and chronic disease (especially osteoarthritis) of the sacroiliac joint(s) is not uncommon in competition horses and racehorses, affecting up to 8% of Standardbreds in training and 15% of competition horses (particularly hunters, jumpers, and event horses). However, it is difficult to localize a problem to one of these joints because of their ... Read full story
 1/13/2003
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
AAEP 2002 Geriatric Dentistry Table Topic  *
"Dental Care and Management of the Geriatric Patient" was the focus of one lunchtime Table Topic on Dec. 5, with topics ranging from diet selection to systemic illness to sedation. With veterinarians filling all seats and standing against the walls, discussion was lively at times, with practitioners asking questions and discussing their relevant experiences. "Don’t ... Read full story
 12/12/2002
Antimicrobials in Colic Surgery   *
Colic surgery in horses is classified as a "clean contaminated" procedure because incisions into the intestine can allow bacteria to contaminate the sterile abdomen. Thus, prophylactic (preventive) antibiotic therapy is often administered prior to surgery in case the intestine must be entered. Unfortunately, it is not proven that preoperative antibiotic ... Read full story
 12/1/2002
Intracranial Pressure   *
Two studies done at the University of California, Davis, have allowed researchers to measure the intracranial pressure (ICP, the pressure that the cerebrospinal fluid exerts on the brain) in the horse for the first time and determine how body position affects ICP during anesthesia. In the first study, researchers were able to measure the ICP and ... Read full story
 12/1/2002
Year by Year, Tooth by Tooth   *
It makes little difference if you are new to horse ownership or a seasoned professional, you probably aren't as familiar as you would like to be with the expanding field of equine dentistry. Horse owners have many questions about proper dental care for their equine charges. "My horse is only three years old. He doesn't need his teeth looked at...does ... Read full story
 11/1/2002
New Surgical Treatment for Suspensory Injury   *
Suspensory injuries are common in athletic horses. The suspensory ligament extends down the back of the lower leg from the knee or the hock and lies between the flexor tendons and the cannon bone. There are a number of treatments for injured suspensory ligaments including shock wave therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, injections of corticosteroids or ... Read full story
 11/1/2002
New CSU Semen Facility Meets International Standards  *
The new stallion barn at Colorado State University’s Equine Reproduction Laboratory, specifically designed to meet the requirements for exporting semen internationally, is now complete and prepared to handle client requests around the world. The new facility is comprised of 1,200 square feet for semen collection, a barn to house 10 stallions for the ... Read full story
 9/11/2002
Preventing Airway Obstruction   *
During periods of intense exercise, portions of the upper airway can collapse, interfering with breathing. The cause of these obstructive episodes, most notably dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), is yet unknown. In other species, receptors in the upper airway stimulate surrounding muscles to contract, dilating and stabilizing the airway ... Read full story
 8/1/2002
Is Your Horse's Soundness Chipping Away?   *
The old adage, "Something's gotta give," holds true when you accidentally bump a dinner plate on the counter and it chips or you bang your car door on the car next to you and the paint chips. Trauma inflicted upon an object can cause a chip. The same action/reaction principle applies to equine joints--a fact corroborated by equine orthopedic experts ... Read full story
 7/1/2002
Is Your Horse Getting the Right Medications?  *
Unethical medication production and marketing continues to be a serious problem in the equine industry worldwide, said Joe Bertone, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, in his presentation “Drug Quality and Equine Veterinary Practice” at the 2002 American Horse Publications convention on June 21. “The equine industry is a huge target for snake-oil salesmen,” he stated. ... Read full story
 6/26/2002
Joint Fusion to Eliminate Lameness  *
Joint arthrodesis is a procedure that locks a joint by fusing bones together. The procedure is used in the pastern joint of horses to treat lameness due to severe osteoarthritis, fractures, bone cysts, and various limb deformities in foals. Surgical arthrodesis is performed by removing articular cartilage and placing screws across a joint to stabilize ... Read full story
 6/1/2002
IV Complications  *
What would happen to your horse if both of his jugular veins were damaged so that they were off-limits for taking blood for testing or administering medications and hampered the drainage of blood from his head? Sometimes an intravenous (IV) injection of medication or administration of fluid can cause inflammation of a vein (thrombophlebitis) or blockage ... Read full story
 5/1/2002
EPM Medication Q&A  *
My horse was diagnosed with EPM last year. We tried Baycox for one month--no change. Since then, he has been on a daily dosage of sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine combination (SDZ/PYR) for approximately nine months. Would it be advisable to give him Marquis and SDZ/PYR together? One veterinarian says yes, another no. Also, isn't staying on the SDZ/PYR indefinitely ... Read full story
 5/1/2002
Bacterial Corneal Ulcers  *
The cornea is a thin and transparent, yet extremely strong tissue that supplies a majority of the eye's refractive, or light-bending, power. It is one of the most sensitive tissues in the body. The thickness of the equine cornea is about 1.5 mm, and it consists of four layers (see "Corneal Anatomy" on page 68): The outer epithelium is a barrier ... Read full story
 5/1/2002
Straightening Crooked Legs   *
It is not unusual for foals to be born with some level of angular limb deformity, but this becomes a problem when the deformity is severe and doesn't self-correct quickly. If the deviation is relatively minor, it might be resolved with stall rest, corrective shoeing, and/or a splint. However, if the conservative approach fails, the solution might involve ... Read full story
 4/3/2002
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
Vet's Role in Purchase Exams  *
The purchase examination can be one of the most confusing aspects of buying a horse. It might take weeks, or even months, of searching to find the most suitable horse. Then your efforts are held under the discretion of the examining veterinarian, who seems to spend an immeasurable amount of time examining the horse that you deemed "perfect." I will ... Read full story
 3/1/2002
Phlebotomy for Thickened Blood   *
Some Standardbred trotters develop a condition called red cell hypervolemia (RCHV), a thickening of the blood due to an increase in the number of red blood cells. This increase in red blood cells is a result of intense exercise programs, and is considered a common finding, at least in trotters racing in Sweden. Racing requires optimal performance of ... Read full story
 3/1/2002
Look Into His Eyes  *
It is important to approach each eye problem in the horse in an ordered and systematic manner, and also as a medical emergency. Painful eye conditions in horses need thorough evaluation for corneal ulcers, corneal abscesses, and uveal inflammatory diseases (such as uveitis or moon blindness). The majority of cases can be diagnosed by using standard ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
AAEP Convention 2001: Surgical Techniques   *
Veterinarians and horse owners can share in a tremendous amount of knowledge from the AAEP Convention. While many of the topics on surgery were designed to help the practitioner learn new techniques and aren't applicable for the lay person, there are other topics that dealt with surgery and its uses that had a message for both veterinarian and client. ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
Uterine Tubal Patency Examination   *
Breeding is big business. Those who doubt need only look at the results of the 1998 Keeneland November breeding stock sale for verification. Prices for broodmares and weanlings soared--top price for a broodmare, $7 million; for a weanling, $1.5 million. That sale merely continued a trend developing over the last few years in one segment of the horse ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
Foot/Lower Leg Wounds and Treatment  *
When you find your horse with a severe wound of the hoof or lower leg, you likely want to clean it up, remove any foreign matter such as fence wire, and apply antibiotics, right? However, this could make evaluation by your veterinarian more difficult, said Earl Gaughan, DVM, of Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine at the 15th annual ... Read full story
 1/29/2002
Septic Osteitis--One Laminitis Complication  *
Septic osteitis (SO, inflammation of bone beginning in the periosteum, or membrane surrounding bone) of the third phalanx or coffin bone can be a problematic complication of laminitis. SO has historically been regarded as a problem that called for an extremely guarded prognosis or even euthanasia, but Bruce Lyle, DVM, a primary care equine veterinarian ... Read full story
 1/23/2002
The Making of a Veterinarian  *
"We are pleased to notify you that you have been accepted by the College of Veterinary Medicine as a first-year student in the professional curriculum beginning August 22, 2002." These few words are the light at the end of a long tunnel, and the beginning of a new pathway for people wanting to become veterinarians. What did your veterinarian do during ... Read full story
 11/1/2001
Nephrosplenic Entrapment
Q: My 17-year-old Quarter Horse had surgery in September of 2000 for nephrosplenic entrapment (in which the large colon becomes hooked over the nephrosplenic ligament). We went back on June 13 for the same surgery. They recommended that we change his diet to senior feed and timothy hay, and begin light work after two months of recovery. I don't show; ... Read full story
 11/1/2001
Caesarean Sections  *
When your favorite basketball team is leading by a point and the clock is ticking down to the final seconds with your team in possession, time seems to move at a snail's pace. Not so when your favorite mare is in labor and can't seem to deliver a foal. Then, so it seems, time speeds along like a rocket. In both instances, time is of the essence. In ... Read full story
 10/16/2001
Rectal Examination of a Colicky Horse  *
Horses with signs of colic can be grouped into one of three categories: horses which are resolved after medical management at the farm; horses which are resolved after more intensive medical management at a referral facility; and, horses which are resolved after performing emergency abdominal surgery. In a study of 1,929 equine ambulatory ... Read full story
 10/11/2001
Modality of Movement: Chiropractic  *
Editor's Note: This series on alternative and complementary veterinary medicine is meant to offer basic information on the history of the therapy, what the therapy is, and how it is being used in the equine industry. Information presented in this series is not intended to promote use of the therapy; simply to offer an objective primer of how it is ... Read full story
 10/10/2001
The Brave New World: Navicular Syndrome Treatment  *
In spite of the best care given to horses in the history of their domesticated lives, record numbers of carefully bred, reared, and trained saddle horses are prevented from fully athletic lives by the crippling disease known as "navicular syndrome." More a condition than a disease, navicular syndrome mystifies the veterinary profession by existing ... Read full story
 10/9/2001
Ovariectomy  *
Ovariectomy is a procedure that generally is performed to remove an abnormal ovary. Occasionally, an ovariectomy is performed in fillies or mares which have particularly bad behavior during their heat cycle in an effort to make them more manageable. Ovarian problems that might indicate an ovariectomy include tumors, hematomas, and, rarely, abscesses. ... Read full story
 9/17/2001
Tendon Injuries in Horses  *
Tendon injuries can be extremely frustrating. The best way to deal with them is to make every effort to prevent them, or if possible, limit the degree of damage that occurs. Certainly some tendon injuries occur acutely without any warning, but many more severe injuries are preceded by some signs of subtle lameness or palpable abnormalities in the tendons. ... Read full story
 9/13/2001
Have Horses? We'll Travel!  *
Have horses? We'll travel! seems to be the motto of Jack Snyder, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, and Sharon Spier, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, a husband-wife team who for the past dozen years have set up and spearheaded referral hospitals for some of the world's most elite equine competitions. Their well-worn luggage has stamps from exotic locals such as Korea, Italy, ... Read full story
 9/13/2001
Vets Honored For Hoof-Care Work  *
Two well-known veterinarians in the horse health field are being inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall Of Fame for their strong emphasis on footcare concerns. In the category of research or industry veterinarians involved in teaching, research or other aspects of hoof care, the inductee is Hilary Clayton of Michigan State University ... Read full story
 5/18/2001
Elective Cesarean Sections: Who Needs Them?  *
Many horse breeders and owners are familiar with the circumstances that necessitate an emergency cesarean section. Those circumstances involve the mare and/or unborn foal being in imminent danger due to birthing difficulties (also known as dystocia). Less commonly, though, a veterinarian might recommend an elective cesarean section (C-section) for ... Read full story
 5/1/2001
AAEP Convention Preview: Hands-On Learning   *
The AAEP offers "wet labs" for practitioners who want to take advantage of hands-on learning from experts in the field. This year, there are six different day-long labs offered (and two ultrasound labs, which are offered as two half-day sessions). All except Reproduction will be held at Del Mar Racetrack. Dentistry (Nov. 24) is instructed by Jack ... Read full story
 1/1/2001
AAEP Convention Preview: Professional Development   *
Are you sometimes worried that your veterinarian will break down before your horse? Stress is a common problem in the lifestyle that goes along with treating animals while traveling long distances. Besides the stress of doing a good job and keeping up with the latest techniques and technologies, there are demands of the industry on personal and professional ... Read full story
 1/1/2001
Parasitologist Honored  *
A parasitologist on faculty in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech was recently recognized with the most distinguished honor conferred by the American Society of Parasitology. Dr. David S. Lindsay, associate professor, Department of Biomedical Science and Pathobiology, was presented the Henry Baldwin Ward ... Read full story
 12/22/2000
Pin Firing
I am about to purchase a gelding who is off the track. I notice he has lines of scars on his cannons that the owner says are from "pin firing." What is pin firing, what is its purpose, and how often is it performed? Is there any long-term damage as a result? via e-mail Pin firing or thermocautery has therapeutic value for certain conditions in the ... Read full story
 10/1/2000
Equine Physical Therapy  *
A few months ago, a friend of mine came limping up the barn aisle on crutches. She explained sheepishly that she'd taken a tumble off her bicycle, badly spraining an ankle in the process. Her rehab regimen would entail staying off her horse, keeping the ankle in a brace, and making regular visits to a physical therapist for rigorous sessions designed ... Read full story
 7/1/2000
Will My Horse Survive Colic Surgery?  *
For the record: I've endured the agony of seeing a beloved horse go through not one, but two surgeries -- the first a colic surgery, the second to treat postoperative complications -- and it was hell. If you've been there, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, I hope you never will. Fortunately, my horse made a complete recovery and went ... Read full story
 5/1/2000
The Olympic Vet  *
Behind every great Olympic equestrian three-day event team of riders and horses is a ground crew that makes everything go as planned. The fine-tuning of each equine competitor's health specifically for the Sydney challenge began long before the 2000 Olympic short-list made the papers. A group of veterinarians and farriers have followed every move of ... Read full story
 4/1/2000
Off-Label Drug Use for Horses  *
Off-label drug use, which technically was illegal until recently, might be one of the most beneficial things we as veterinarians do in the treatment of disease in animals. The technically illegal part was a result of the way a drug was licensed by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use. For example, Drug X is licensed for the treatment of ... Read full story
 4/1/2000
Piedra Announces Equine Research Grants  *
The Piedra Foundation (TPF) awards several applied equine research grants each year to private equine practices with qualifying internship programs. Through these grants, funded by The Oak Tree Racing Association, TPF helps progressive equine practices publish the results of important clinical work while augmenting the training of equine veterinarians ... Read full story
 11/5/1999
U.S., EU Sign Veterinary Equivalency Agreement To Facilitate Trade   *
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced that the United States has signed a new agreement with the European Union, paving the way for mutual recognition of animal health systems and easier resolution of related future disputes. "This important agreement lays the foundation for increased trade opportunities between the U.S. and the European ... Read full story
 7/21/1999
AAEP Internship Program Offers   *
A unique internship program developed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the first of its kind in equine medicine to offer equine veterinary students a practical and “real world” look at equine veterinary practice, begins its second year. The AAEP Practice Internship Program, with internships already in place for 1999, is ... Read full story
 4/2/1999
Deep Digital Flexor Tenotomy As a Treatment for Chronic Laminitis  *
The coffin bone is the primary bone within the horse's foot. The hoof capsule encases this bone like a body in a coffin (hence the name coffin bone). The laminae within the foot are the soft tissue structures that firmly attach the coffin bone to the hoof wall. Laminitis, in its simplest terms, is inflammation of the laminae that attach the coffin ... Read full story
 3/1/1999
Healing Cartilage   *
Cartilage in the joints, better known as articular cartilage, can suffer wear and tear over the years, especially in competition animals. Cartilage also can be destroyed due to injury or disease. Whatever the cause, when cartilage disappears, it means bone is rubbing against bone, and that means pain, osteoarthritis, and usually the end of a horse's ... Read full story
 2/1/1999
"On Call" for NBC Coverage of Breeder's Cup  *
Dr. Larry Bramlage, Lexington, Kentucky, and C. Wayne McIlwraith, Fort Collins, Colorado, will be the "On Call" veterinarians standing by to assist NBC Sports' broadcast team during the November 7 Breeders' Cup Championship Day races at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) developed "On Call" as ... Read full story
 11/6/1998
Therapeutic Ultrasound  *
The use of ultrasonic sound for diagnosis and treatment in human and equine medicine is not new, and in fact is becoming commonplace. Most horse breeders, for example, are familiar with the use of diagnostic ultrasound to detect and monitor reproductive problems and pregnancy. Sport horse owners in large numbers have seen ultrasound employed in diagnosing ... Read full story
 11/1/1998
WesternU Names The Nation's First Woman Dean Of A College Of Veterinary Medicine   *
The President of Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) announced September 10, 1998, the appointment of Shirley D. Johnston, DVM, PhD, as Founding Dean of the University's new College of Veterinary Medicine. “This is a historic moment for veterinary education,” said Philip Pumerantz, PhD. “Dr. Johnston becomes the first female ever to ... Read full story
 9/11/1998
Veterinary Program Offers Assitance to Remote Areas  *
Remote Area Medical Veterinary Volunteers (RAMVV), is an organization based in Knoxville, Tenn., that is composed of dedicated veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary students, and volunteers who travel throughout the United States and abroad providing veterinary care to remote, impoverished areas. The organization is founded on the belief ... Read full story
 4/3/1998
Jury Finds Against Vets In Negligence Case   *
Practicing racetrack veterinarians throughout North America felt the chill of a $600,000 judgment brought on March 23 against two of their colleagues in a Southern Calif. case that centered around an antibiotic injection given to the 1993 Californian Stakes (gr. I) winner Latin American, a son of Riverman now based at Walmac Farm in Ky. and serving ... Read full story
 4/3/1998
Damming The Info Flow  *
Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, was one of the industry leaders who was asked to provide veterinary comment on editor Kimberly S. Herbert's September Viewpoint urging the veterinary community to provide information from the research laboratory and the field to veterinarians and horse owners in a more ... Read full story
 1/1/1998
Joint Therapy  *
The public demand for a precise diagnosis and treatment of lameness problems has increased many fold over the past decade. Horse owners, through exposure to state-of-the-art medicine and a multitude of publications, such as The Horse, are increasingly aware of what is possible. Prior to the mid-1970s, placing a needle in a given horse's joint was, ... Read full story
 10/1/1997
Neurectomy  *
Many people have heard of "nerving" a horse for navicular disease, as was mentioned in the Step-by-Step column in the August issue of The Horse. But did you know that the nerves in that heel area can grow and eventually allow the horse again to feel pain? This innervation or regrowing of the nerves is the norm rather than the exception with a neurectomy. ... Read full story
 10/1/1997
Caslicks Procedure  *
The Caslick procedure of surgically closing the upper part of the vulva has been commonly practiced on broodmares for the past 60 years. The procedure evolved in an effort to treat what E. A. Caslick, DVM, had observed--the negative effect that air had on a mare's reproductive system. "Early in my experience with the treatment of genital infections, ... Read full story
 5/1/1997
Nerve Blocks of the Lower Limb  *
When a veterinarian performs a lameness examination, he or she often will use nerve blocks to try and determine the location of the problem. The areas are "blocked" so that they become numb to pain, revealing which structures are involved in causing lameness. In the equine lower limb, there are two distinct sets of peripheral nerves: sensory (afferent) ... Read full story
 10/1/1996
For Life and Limb: Amputation  *
It is a sight that sickens the toughest of horsemen. A magnificent Thoroughbred is reaching to the bottom of the well to summon up one last burst of speed as the wire approaches. Suddenly, the horse falters, then goes down, a portion of one leg dangling uselessly. Most think of only one solution--quick, humane euthanasia. Unfortunately, it isn't ... Read full story
 6/1/1996




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