In the past few years, we’ve been hearing how many more horses have gastric ulcers than we used to think. We also know that oral omeprazole paste (GastroGard, manufactured by Merial Limited, Decatur, Ga.) effectively treats and prevents ulcers.
The stifle joint is often implicated in cases of lameness, but it can be a notoriously tough joint to image. Radiography, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan), and diagnostic arthrography (joint evaluation) all can be used, but they
For the study, 39 horses in Missouri and Florida (on a broodmare farm, a Thoroughbred retirement center, and in two university equestrian programs) were selected for naturally occurring osteoarthritis that caused Grade 2-4 lameness on a scale of 0-4.
“The process of airlifting a horse still carries inherent dangers for the horse and rescue personnel,” he concluded. “Risks may be lessened by a program that involves regular training, including a helicopter lift when possible, to increase the team’s
The best equine test for vision is the “dazzle reflex,” a sensitive test for retinal function. An observer watches to see if the horse squints in response to shining a bright light into the injured eye.
Intravenous (IV) lidocaine is one systemic way to manage pain and inflammation, and it also has been used to improve intestinal motility in colic cases. Its use has been a fairly hot topic of late, so Margaret Mudge, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, ACVECC,
Stem cell therapy has received a good deal of attention in both human and veterinary medicine in recent years. It holds theoretical promise for treating conditions ranging from traumatic tendon and cartilage injury to liver failure, Parkinson’s
These days, in many species incisions are often closed with staples rather than stitches–and they’re not just for external use any more. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla.,
When a horse’s leg is fractured, the primary treatment goal is to stabilize the fracture site so the broken bone ends don’t further separate and do more damage. The outcomes of these cases often have a great deal to do with how well the broken
Media-trained equine veterinarians representing the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) “On Call” program will support another season of live Thoroughbred racing on the major television networks. The “On Call” program is designe
Acidosis (abnormally high acidity) in the hindgut (the large intestine and colon) can cause a number of problems in horses, including anorexia, colic, laminitis, and stereotypic (continuous, repetitive, and serving no purpose) behaviors such as
“Head trauma is common in horses, and a number of these cases will present with neurologic signs consistent with brain injury,” began Darien Feary, BVSc, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC, a lecturer in equine medicine with the University of Sydney,
Managing pain in horses is important for a lot of reasons: There are humane benefits in addition to medical ones, such as maintenance of weight, shorter hospital stays, and lower total patient bills. At the 2007 American Association of Equine
Left dorsal displacement of the large colon isn’t the most common cause of colic–only about 6-8% of colics are caused by this. However, up to 21% of affected horses tend to displace again, even after surgical correction. These horses often have
Although it’s not a common injury, fracture of the scapula or shoulder blade does occur in horses and causes notable lameness. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., Stuart Vallance, BVS
Eight veterinary students will receive $2,500 scholarships from the American Live Stock Insurance Company and the AAEP Foundation. The scholarships are presented annually to fourth-year veterinary students who plan to pursue a career in equine
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