Equine Medicine

Scraping for cytology and cultures: The cultures should be done before any drops, (drugs contain bacteriostatic agents), topical anesthetics and the handle end of a scalpel blade to scrape, sterile dacron swabs for culture.

Although the frequency of diagnosis and treatment of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses has clearly increased over the past decade, there is no evidence that the prevalence of PPID is actually increasing. Increased recognition of the disease is likely a consequence of clients maintaining their horses to more advanced ages as well as improved health care (e.g., diet and dentistry) being provided to older horses.

Middle-aged obesity (body condition score 7-9 on a scale of 1 to 9) accompanied by insidious-onset laminitis is a syndrome that has been recognized by equine practitioners for decades. Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a recently coined name that has gained acceptance to describe this condition.

Weight loss or ill thrift is a common presenting complaint for many medical problems of horses. These cases can be frustrating because physical exam findings, including rectal palpation, are often unremarkable. However, an ordered approach to further evaluation is useful for equine practitioners to diagnose many medical disorders as well as to determine when referral to a hospital may be the next logical step.

During the last few years, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have made significant improvements in assessing equine tissue damage and diagnosing disease.

A combination of forces are currently redefining the construction of buildings, homes, barns and businesses.

Ithaca, N.Y. -- Cornell University researchers are developing a new way to help horses fight equine herpesvirus.

This common disease in Thoroughbred racehorses hurts performance.

The trials of diagnosing neurologic disorders.

Mount Horeb, Wis. -- The ability to choose certain genetic traits in equine embryo transfer just took a giant step forward.

A new development in the diagnosis of upper airway disease

Roseland, N.J. -- After a successful inaugural year in 2009 in which more than 2,500 horses received free vaccines, the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC) is accepting applications again this year, with a deadline of Feb. 1 for spring vaccinations and Aug. 1 for fall vaccinations.

Understanding biology is key to battling the emergence of resistant parasites in horses

The right technique, embryo quality and donor-recipient synchrony are crucial.

Horses' condition makes it easier for vitamin E to do its work protecting cells from free-radical damage.

Veterinarians are one of the most at-risk populations for equine-human disease transmission.

When it comes to contagious equine diseases, there is good news and bad news.

How to judge a tricky problem with objective tools.

Dr. Larry Bramlage to discuss surgical treatments and more at AAEP.

In this on-demand AVMA course by Dr. Dietrich Volkmann, suggestions for routine post-resolution care of equine dystocia as well as a list of the most common complications will be offered. (1 CE credit)

This on-demand AVMA course by Dr. Mary S. DeLory is a basic discussion of the key concepts of equine dental equilibration. (1 CE credit)

National Report -- Six major equine organizations have endorsed a new equine welfare code, according to the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).

The genetic sequence of the domestic horse has been completed.

There have been several surgical procedures developed in the last few years to aid in treating musculoskeletal disease in horses.

Compounded drug formulation for use in equine clinical practice has at least two clearly ethical appeals, one contentious issue, and one non ethical practice.