Latest News – The Horse
West Nile Virus Changed to Endemic Disease Status; Fees will be Charged for Some WNV Testing
Government veterinary officials recently designated West Nile virus (WNV) as an endemic disease in the United States. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) previously had considered WNV a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD), since it had never been detected in the United States prior to 1999. (Read more about WNV at
Sentinel Farm Summary; 2002 Pasture Monitoring Program
The following information was produced by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture from Wayne Long (pwlong@uky.edu) and Jimmy Henning (jhenning@uky.edu) of the Department of Agronomy (859/257-3144). This article also can be seen on the university’s web site at
AAEP 2002 Radiology Panel
The radiology panel discussion at the 2002 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention on Dec. 7 included presentation of 10 case histories, clinical presentations, and radiographs, with one of four panel members selected to evaluate each case. Tim O’Brien, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVR, professor in the Surgical and Radiological Sciences Department at the University of California, Davis,
Antimicrobials and Antimicrobial Resistance
When a prescribed medication doesn’t work as it should, one cause could be antimicrobial (antibiotic) resistance. Is the widespread use of antibiotics selecting for stronger and stronger pathogens that can resist the drugs we use to fight them? This was discussed at the Antimicrobials and Antimicrobial Resistance Table Topic, moderated by Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, professor o
AAEP 2002: Feeding the Geriatric Horse
With more and more horses reaching geriatric status (over 20 years of age), it?s important to understand how their nutritional needs might change. Diets should be adjusted if necessary to help old-timers live long and healthy lives. David Pugh,
Kentucky Abortions Update
The ?blip? of abortions seen in August, September, and October in Kentucky has continued on through December. With only about 50 total abortions reported, this problem might not even catch the attention of many people in a normal year, as
Purchase Exams Table Topic
Purchase examinations are a big bone of contention in many equine sale situations–not so much over the necessity of them, but over what exactly needs to be evaluated and how to interpret the results. Rick Mitchell, DVM, of Fairfield Equine
Horseman’s Day at the 2002 AAEP Convention
Horseman?s Day, held for the third time as part of the annual AAEP convention, was another rousing success. There weren?t as many people in attendance as there were in San Diego last year, but they were just as enthusiastic. AAEP officials said
Juvenile Bowed Tendons and Racing Prognosis
?Juvenile bowed tendons, or ?baby bows,? are not uncommon in yearlings and weanlings,? said Johanna Reimer, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVC (cardiology), of the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., at the 2002 American Association of
AAEP 2002: Infectious Disease Forum
With West Nile virus (WNV) marching across the United States and affecting both horses and humans, infectious disease prevention has been a hot topic in barns, the media, veterinary clinics, and elsewhere. During the Infectious Disease forum, moderated by Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, professor of Equine Medicine at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital and
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
AAEP 2002: Biologic and Therapeutic Agents Forum
Among the topics of interest discussed were plasma products, compounding, and West Nile virus. The discussion of plasma products centered around the current United States Department of Agriculture licensure of only some of these products. Until 1995, noted Dr. Jim Bowman, president of Lake Immunogenetics, all plasma products were licensed by the USDA. At that point, it was decided by USDA
AAEP 2002 Laminitis Sunrise Session
?Never use only clinical assessment to estimate the progress of a laminitic horse,? began Ric Redden, DVM, moderator of the laminitis Sunrise Session on Dec. 7 and founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center in Versailles, Ky. ?X rays an
AAEP 2002 Podiatry Forum
?The horse?s foot is so integral to most of what we do in equine practice,? said moderator Gayle Trotter, DVM, MS, professor in clinical sciences at Colorado State University, in the Podiatry forum on Dec. 12 at the American Association of Equin
AAEP 2002: Racing Forum
Medications issues aren’t only centered on the work to create a uniform medication policy for racehorses, but on ?renegade? drug manufacturers?who produce products that are not legal and contain little, none, or too much of various
Australian Unit Receives Grant for Laminitis Studies
The Animal Health Foundation recently announced that it has made a $50,000 research grant to Christopher C. Pollitt, BVSc, PhD, associate professor in equine medicine and director of The Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit at the School of
