Latest News – The Horse

Glucosamine is a popular nutritional supplement that horses are fed in hopes of protecting them from osteoarthritis. Researchers studying the mechanisms of osteoarthritis have identified several compounds, called markers, that are unique to the cartilaginous joints. Increased concentrations of these markers in the blood signify damage to cartilage and/or bone. Recently, a group of researchers

Because of its subjective and complex nature, the severity of a horse’s pain is very difficult to assess. Recently, a comprehensive review was published by the University of Minnesota outlining the definitions of the types of pain and the difficulties associated with its assessment in animals.

Pain is broadly classified as acute (of short duration) or chronic (persisting over time), then

Spinal cord disease in horses is fairly common, but it can be difficult to precisely diagnose. Ancillary tests such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis, contrast myelography, and electromyelography can be helpful, but also somewhat risky. There is another diagnostic technique used in humans that is not painful and has no serious side effects. The technique is called transcranial magnetic

Thrush is very common, and it typically is a mild disease that can be easily treated. More importantly, it can be prevented with adequate foot management and good stable husbandry. However, if you choose to ignore these preventive measures, or you come into possession of a horse with thrush, it needs to be addressed immediately and aggressively as complications and chronic lameness issues can resu

Call it what you will–equine physical therapy, equine therapy, physiotherapy, rehabilitation therapy, equine sports therapy, or even alternative therapy. The treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of movement dysfunctions, orthopedic ailments (soft tissue, joint, and bone problems), and neurologic disorders through manual therapies, electrical therapies, and exercise has become

Who is responsible for the horse, and what are that person’s limits morally and legally for making decisions about his/her horse’s health, care, and well-being? Being a responsible horse owner, you tend your horses daily in a way that ensures they are well-nourished, exercised properly, and that their general health is looked after in the means you think best suits yourself, your horse, and

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.

The American Veterinary Medical

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 prevent the perpetuation of the genetic flaw.

Eight veterinary students have been selected to receive $2,500 scholarships from the American Live Stock Insurance Company (ALSIC) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The scholarships are presented annually to fourth-year veterinary students who plan to pursue a career in equine veterinary practice.

The scholarship recipients are: Lisa Baller, Colorado State

California is bracing for West Nile virus (WNV). N. James MacLachlan, BVSc, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of California, Davis, said that he and his colleagues expect to see the first dead birds infected with WNV in April, followed by the first horse and human cases in June and July. To help California horse owners

A package containing West Nile virus (WNV) exploded on March 18 at a Federal Express building in Columbus, Ohio, near the Port Columbus International Airport, the Associated Press reported. Fifty workers were evacuated.

The shoebox-size sealed package probably burst because of dry ice used to preserve tissue samples from a bird with the virus. The package was being sent from the Ohio

Rob Keene, DVM, field veterinarian for Fort Dodge Animal Health, talked about the West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine at the West Nile Virus Workshop held March 7 at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center. Keene explained plans for packaging and marketing the vaccine–which received a full license from the USDA on Feb. 6–and described the efforts already underway to combine the

Colorado State University (CSU) researchers released results March 25 from a study that examined the characteristics of 2002’s West Nile virus (WNV) equine outbreaks in Colorado and Nebraska. The study was a collaborative effort between the state veterinarians in Colorado and Nebraska, the Veterinary Diagnostic Center in Nebraska, and CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical

Maureen Long, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, of the University of Florida (UF), spoke about West Nile virus (WNV) protective strategies for horse owners and veterinarians at a March 7 meeting in Lexington, Ky. Veterinarians and public officials gathered at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center for a workshop designed to educate local practitioners about the disease.

Long and

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) was confirmed as the cause of illness in three Thoroughbreds stabled in a training barn at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. The March 18 announcement of this fact followed treatment of EHV-1 outbreaks in Ohio and Pennsylvania since January. (See article #32 online for more on EHV.) All three Kentucky horses had fevers, and two of the horses developed neurologic

Classes resumed March 10 at the University of Findlay’s James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex, which had been under quarantine since the weekend of Jan. 18 because of an outbreak of equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1). (For more on the outbreak, see article #4179 online.)

The University followed the guidelines and advice of George Allen, PhD, of the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center