Around the globe veterinary scientists investigate equine health issues in a search of new treatments and diagnostics or to substantiate conventional wisdom.

Each year during the Kester News Hour, part of the annual American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, three esteemed veterinarians offer their top picks from current published studies in their respective specialty areas of surgery, reproduction, or medicine in a popcorn-style research roundup.

At the 2016 meeting, held Dec. 3-7 in Orlando, Florida, Rob MacKay, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor at the University of Florida, in Gainesville, presented his selection of research topics in medicine, ranging from equine herpesvirus to headshaking.

Heparin for EHM Prevention

Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is the dreaded neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). During outbreaks, infection control and treatment are paramount, but the virus still confounds veterinarians for one reason: No reliable and tested medication is available for treating or preventing the disease