To guess a horse’s age you can look at his teeth … or the length of his telomeres and his immune system function, according to researchers with the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center.
Scientists studying the
The James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) has two new leaders at the helm, though the names may be familiar to most people associated with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Dean Hendrickson, DVM, MS,
You might have heard your veterinarian say, “Let’s run a titer on him,” when referring to your horse and whether he’s protected against disease, or to figure out what might be causing particular clinical signs. What exactly does “titer” mean?
While moderate exercise has been shown to enhance the immune system, a recent study analyzing gene expression in the lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the immune system) of endurance horses has demonstrated tha
The horse’s immune system is a window to its world. The biochemical analysis of blood components can give the veterinarian valuable information about disease exposure and immune responses. When a horse is exposed to an antigen (a disease-causing
The horse industry in the United States contributes $39 billion in direct economic impact and generates about $102 billion in total spending, according to a detailed economic impact study released June 28.
“The Economic Impact of the Horse
Morris Animal Foundation, the world’s largest private funding source for companion animal and wildlife health studies, gathered some of the nation’s top authorities in equine research to pinpoint equine health priorities and address the
The immune systems of humans and horses are what keep us alive. Without a properly functioning immune system, disease would run rampant, with serious illness and death being the ultimate outcome.
Vaccines are designed based on the specific nature of an antibody response to an antigen. In other words, the antibody will work only against the antigen that stimulated its production. A “booster” creates more antibodies, a quicker response, an
The Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries in Louisiana were influential in funding and building the veterinary school at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, but the school serves all the state’s horses and their owners. Although one
There might be ongoing debate as to the value of a woman’s colostrum versus commercial colostrum products, but for a foal, nothing is better than a mare’s milk. Colostrum is specialized milk secreted during the first 24 hours following birth and
I heard that a horse’s spleen is unique, but my friend said horses don’t have a spleen. What’s the truth?
Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a silent stalker of foals. At birth, the foal is normal. In some cases, the foal shows subtle signs as an internal enemy attacks and the disease progresses to a point of no return; in others, it takes only hours for
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