While a large part of microscopic semen evaluation centers around motility (directional sperm movement) and morphology (sperm structure), some reproductive specialists think there’s more to the story. In an attempt to better understand stallion fertility, Steven P. Brinsko, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACT, associate professor of theriogenology at Texas A&M University, presented the results of
Managing a mare’s estrous cycle is an integral part of breeding management, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is one hormone option for doing just that. Patrick McCue, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, associate professor of equine science at Colorado State University, discussed the use of hCG to manage ovulation.
“Most of us have used hCG throughout our practice lifetimes,” he began. “It’s used to
“Death or euthanasia of a valuable mare results in loss of her genetic potential,” she said. “However, when a mare dies, her ovaries still contain potentially viable oocytes that can be harvested to produce additional offspring. Some mares seem to have a lot of viable oocytes, while others have very few.”
Tablet computers, Metron PX, Hi-8, true digital, megapixels, lithium vs. NiMH batteries, inverters, iGo Juice, Photoshop–what do all these things have to do with the equine veterinarian? The message of the Emerging Technologies Table Topic was they can do quite a lot to help.
“You get into a lot of these things out of necessity, not fun and games,” said moderator Dick Galley, DVM, a
The initial saddle fit examination begins with evaluation of the horse’s back, including a fingertip exploration of the entire area under the saddle to identify any bumps caused by friction or areas of localized pain or swelling, he said. Also, the horse should extend and flex his back willingly, and his vertebrae should be palpated.
The United Kingdom is famous for its rich history and deeply rooted traditions, but that doesn’t mean its veterinarians are bound to ancient methods of equine medicine. Quite the contrary, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) hosts one of the world’s most in-depth, cutting-edge continuing education meetings every year–the BEVA Congress. The 43rd annual Congress, held Sept. 15-18,
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 43rd British Equine Veterinary Association
Older horses are at higher risk for certain types of colic, said Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, associate professor of equine surgery in North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He reported on studies of older horses and colic during the 43rd British Equine Veterinary Association Congress, held Sept. 15-18 in Birmingham, U.K.
“According to recent
“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. “The first key to successful diagnosis is
In the roll call of neurologic diseases from which horses can suffer, there is one many horse owners don’t yet know about–cauda equina syndrome.
“Beware the vaccination paradox!” began J. Richard Newton, BVSc, MSc, PhD, DLSHTM, DipECVPH FRCVS, of the Animal Health Trust in Suffolk, United Kingdom, during his presentation on influenza vaccination at the 43rd annual British Equine Veterinary Association Congress, held Sept. 15-18 in Birmingham.
He described the vaccination paradox as follows:
While they aren’t used to improve vision in horses, soft contact lenses can be used to protect the eye and facilitate healing in horses with non-infected ulcerations. Reasons to avoid contacts for a particular horse include reduced tear production, infection, deep corneal ulceration where there’s a risk of rupture during lens placement, and abnormal corneal curvature.
While many of us want to simplify nutrition for our horses, selecting the best forage for a horse isn’t always simple, particularly if he is chronically laminitic and/or metabolically challenged. Diets for these horses require particular care;
Now that we’ve had our first frost in Central Kentucky (and many areas have had more than that), your pastures might be higher in carbohydrates and thus more dangerous for laminitic and/or metabolically challenged horses (such as Cushingoid
To feed your horse the best forage for his needs, you have to understand the plants and what affects their nutrient content, said Jerry Chatterton, PhD, Research Leader of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Research Laboratory in Logan, Utah. He spoke at the Equine Forage: Risks and Rewards Seminar and Summit held Oct. 22-23 at Rutgers University.
He explained that
Results of a four-year prospective study designed to determine the influence of training and heart size on atrioventricular (AV) valvular regurgitation (backflow of blood from the lower to the upper heart chambers) in Thoroughbred racehorses, an
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