Clipmarks | MorganLvr's 'equine' clips

In the Spotlight: Radiation Therapy for Equine Cancer Patients

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:45:05 GMT

clipped by: MorganLvr
clipper's remarks: How encouraging! As well as a darn good thing to know.

While radiation therapy might seem like an unrealistic option for managing horses with cancer, Janean Fidel, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVR, Dipl. ACVIM, from Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine suggests the opposite. She attests that radiation therapy is a viable option for numerous equine tumors, including melanomas and sarcoids.

"Even though cancer is not as common in horses as dogs or cats, it does still occur and just like in small animals, radiation therapy is a valuable tool in the treatment of our equine oncology patients," emphasizes Fidel.

At the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum, held June 4-7, Fidel reviewed the biology of radiation therapy and highlighted that the goal of this modality is to deliver the highest possible doe of radiation to the tumor while sparing the normal surrounding tissue--a challenging task at best.

Tags: horses, radiation therapy. equine, cancer

Link Between Facial Hair Whorls and Horse 'Handedness' Reported

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:27:46 GMT

clipped by: MorganLvr
clipper's remarks: This is absolutely fascinating!

Clip Source: www.thehorse.com

Irish researchers identified a unique link between equine motor laterality, or "handedness," and specific characteristics of facial hair whorls (trichoglyphs): right-handed horses had significantly more clockwise whorls whereas whorls were more likely to flow in a counter-clockwise direction in left-handed horses.

"It has long been speculated that most horses experience some degree of motor laterality in that they prefer one lead (or side) over the other," said co-author Jack Murphy, PhD, from the department of Life Sciences at the University of Limerick. "Riders tend to find that most horses have a 'preferred' side and gallop, jump, and work better on either the left or right rein."

Equine Bone Fragility Disorder Reported in California

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:02:00 GMT

clipped by: MorganLvr

Clip Source: www.thehorse.com

eterinary researchers at the University of California, Davis, are working to classify a newly observed bone fragility disorder that might prove to be the culprit behind some cases of intermittent chronic lameness that have no other explanation.

After an extensive review of medical records from horses examined at the university's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between June 1980 and June 2006, researchers found 16 horses with lameness that could not be pinpointed. All 16 horses showed multiple sites of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (or "hot spots") on scintigraphic images, which indicates increased bone activity (such as bone remodeling or healing after a fracture).

"The horses all have similar clinical symptoms and present with what we think are differing stages of the same disease," said Jonathan Anderson, BVM&S, resident in equine surgery at the hospital and lead author on the study.

Tags: horses, bone diseases, veterinary

Big Brown's Owners Adopt No-Drug Policy

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:37:18 GMT

clipped by: MorganLvr
clipper's remarks: This is wonderful if IEAH is truly serious about ending doping of race horses, and if others will follow suit.

Clip Source: www.thehorse.com

International Equine Acquisitions Holdings (IEAH) Stables--the partnership that races Big Brown--has taken the first bold step in securing a no-drug policy in racing by announcing Monday that all its horses starting Oct. 1 will race without any medication, with the exception of Lasix, which trainer Rick Dutrow asked that they exclude because several of his horses are bleeders and require Lasix to race.

"We have decided to withdraw all of our horses from medication, except for Lasix," IEAH co-president Mike Iavarone told Blood-Horse. "We're beginning Oct. 1 because the horses should be clear of all substances by that time.

"In addition, we are willing to allow racetracks to do pre- and post-race testing on all our horses, and we will pay all expenses."

Tags: horses, horse racing, ieah, big brown, medication

Homes for Horses Coalition Launches Web Site

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:51:09 GMT

clipped by: MorganLvr
clipper's remarks: Another much needed resource for unwanted horses.

Clip Source: www.thehorse.com

The Homes for Horses Coalition has launched a new Web site, www.homesforhorses.org.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), along with the Animal Welfare Institute and several other groups, formed the Homes for Horses Coalition last July. Keith Dane, director of equine protection for the HSUS, said the coalition was designed to support equine-focused nonprofits.

CSU Research Aims To Reduce Injuries To Race Horses

Mon, 12 May 2008 01:47:29 GMT

clipped by: MorganLvr

Clip Source: www.examiner.com

Sports

SPORTS: CSU research aims to reduce injuries to race horses

By MIKE HOOKER, The Associated Press
2008-05-10 06:00:38.0
Current rank: # 900 of 7,332

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -

The death of a top race horse in the Kentucky Derby is something researchers at Colorado State University hope to help prevent in the future.

Eight Belles, a filly, fractured both front ankles after placing second at the race last weekend. Veterinarians euthanized her at the track, prompting a nationwide discussion about the risks the animals face from aggressive training and breeding.

At CSU's Equine Orthopedic Research Center, one veterinarian is a pioneer in bone and joint surgery that is saving race horses. Another has tissue samples from 150 different horses, hoping to find an answer to the common injury that Eight Belles suffered May 3.

Ponazuril Prevents EPM?

Thu, 01 May 2008 01:22:33 GMT

clipped by: MorganLvr
clipper's remarks: This would be wonderful if it turns out to be true.

Clip Source: www.thehorse.com

Ponazuril and EPM: An Ounce of Prevention

by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
April 25 2008, Article # 11747

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Researchers at the University of Florida studying equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) recently found that administering ponazuril once every seven days might prevent EPM caused by Sarcocystis neurona.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is an important neurological disease of horses. It is typically caused by the parasite S. neurona, a protozoan parasite that penetrates the central nervous system and causes diverse neurologic signs, including ataxia and muscle atrophy.

Ponazuril, known commercially as Marquis, is one of several antiprotozoal medications available to treat EPM.

Tags: epm, ponazuril, horses, equine

Another Horse Dies Competing At Rolex

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:06:20 GMT

clipped by: MorganLvr
clipper's remarks: Is this just coincidence, or is their a problem with the course and/or the conditions?

Clip Source: www.thehorse.com

Second Rolex Horse Euthanized

by: Erin Ryder, TheHorse.com News Editor
April 27 2008, Article # 11759

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The Quiet Man, a 12-year-old Irish gelding, was euthanized today after sustaining an injury during the cross-country portion of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event. The horse, ridden by Sarah Hansel, fractured his distal scapula and the shoulder joint of his right front leg, according to a statement released by Catherina Kohn, VMD, veterinary delegate for the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

The Quiet Man fell at fence 13 during yesterday's cross-country competition. He was transferred to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for evaluation.

"The prognosis for recovery was very poor," Kohn stated. "The attending veterinarians and the horse's owners agreed that, for the horse’s welfare, euthanasia was the best course of action."

Hansel was not injured in the accident.

Tags: horses, rolex, competition, euthanized