Equine

There are tens of thousands of them across the nation. And their numbers are growing at an alarming rate.

Lexington, Ky. -- State officials are asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare a state of emergency in Kentucky following the discovery of three cases of contagious equine metritis (CEM), a venereal disease that causes infertility in mares.

What can be done about the growing problem of unwanted and abandoned horses in America?

The modes of transportation for equine veterinarians are changing. Take a look through the decades.

Lexington, Ky. - A retrospective study of 57 horses treated for proliferative enteropathy aims to help equine practitioners make a timely diagnosis.

Thousands of horses in U.S. Bureau of Land Management holding facilities could be saved if the agency decides to accept an offer from Madeleine Pickens, wife of Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens.

Pocatello, Idaho -- A recent televsion news series about Idaho's toughest jobs from KPVI-TV -- an NBC affiliate here -- featured mixed-animal veterinarian Dave Stanley.

A spate of natural diasters - hurricanes, tornadoes, flood, wildfires and earthquakes - have impacted veterinary practices in many parts of the country this year.

Leesburg, Va. -- The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center's new laboratory at Virginia Tech opened earlier this fall and researchers already are working on tendon and ligament regeneration that would help patients heal more quickly and bring back ligament and tendon elasticity.

Reno, Nev. -- Thousands of unadoptable wild horses in U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding facilities could be saved from possible euthanasia or slaughter if the agency decides to accept an offer from Madeleine Pickens, wife of Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens, to create a preserve where the horses could live out their lives.

Tallahassee, Fla. -- No horses that tested positive for piroplasmosis during a nearly two-month investigation remain on Florida premises, the state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced, although six properties remain under quarantine.

Brussels -- The European Union's (EU) Veterinary Week 2008 kicks off today.

New York - New York is the latest state to adopt a tougher stance on steroid use in racehorses.

Lexington, Ky. - Another key organization within the horse-racing industry is joining a growing movement toward reform.

New York - A Congressional panel earlier this year questioned whether the nation's horse racing industry had the will and ability to regulate itself or whether government intervention would be necessary.

Lexington, Ky. -- Veterinarians and others working at racetracks in Kentucky are facing an increase in licensing fees in 2009.

Lexington, Ky. -- The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) has fined and suspended two Columbus, Ohio, veterinarians for violating state regulations regarding properly labeling medications.

Lexington, Ky. -- A retrospective study of 57 horses treated for proliferative enteropathy (EPE), or protein-losing enteropathy, aims to help equine practitioners make a timely diagnosis of the disease and provide some key signals that might help prevent outbreaks.

Arcadia, Calif. -- Two renowned equine surgeons will serve as "On Call" veterinarians at the 2008 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Friday and Saturday, providing ESPN and ABC Sports with horse health information during racing telecasts.

Portland, Ore. -- Oregon equine veterinarians are seeing an increase in cases of corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, or pigeon fever.

New York -- New York is the latest state to adopt a tougher stance on steroid use in racehorses.

New York -- The National Thoroughbred Racing Association presented a set of equine health and safety reforms Oct. 15 it considers one of the most important steps in its 10-year history and the strongest proof yet that the racing industry is serious about regulating itself.

Marion County, Fla. -- More than 100 horses were euthanized earlier this month at the largest equine reproductive facility in the Southeast and state officials believe hay contaminated with the botulinum toxin may be to blame.

Hilton Head, S.C. -- A long-term study of how horses move and breathe may have far-reaching veterinary and human-health applications, according to a presentation of the group's work at a recent American Physiological Society conference.

Davis, Calif. -- A new genetic screening test was created for equine cerebellar abiotrophy at the University of California-Davis' Veterinary Genetics Laboratory.

Frankfort, Ky. -- The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has appointed an interim chief veterinarian to replace Dr. Lafe Nichols, who resigned last week.

HONOLULU - Horses are protected pets under Hawaii's cruelty-to-animals statute.

Lexington, Ky. - A California veterinarian long active in dealing with racehorse medication and drug-testing issues was one of four new members elected to the Jockey Club.