Equine

Dysphagia in the neonatal foal manifests itself as the presence of milk in the foal's nares after nursing. Milk reflux in a foal should not be ignored. Aspiration pneumonia is the usual secondary consequence.

Much of the focus and effort put forth on breeding farms this spring will center on mares and the various reproductive problems that they experience. Stallions are often given minimal attention other than bacterial cultures and examination of early season ejaculates unless there are unusually high numbers of return "open" mares or evidence of serious problems.

There are a variety of hormonal therapies available to the equine practitioner to help bring mares into estrus and hasten ovulation. They include human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), various progestin/estradiol combinations, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs, and dopamine antagonists. These hormonal therapies push Mother Nature along to help make the breeding process more efficient, reduce excessive handling of mares and stallions, and help ensure successful breeding and conception, whether a maiden, a previously barren or a cyclic mare.

College Station, Texas - 1/4/06- Texas A&M University officials say a Center for Equine Business Studies is slated to open in June.

Horses regularly get into dangerous situations in the most unusual and mundane places.

Seattle — The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is planning to study the viability of regional continuing education.

SEATTLE - 12/06/05 - The Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) are launching a public-education initiative called HORSE FACTS.

Albany, N.Y. — Wedgewood Pharmacy says initial tests vindicate the compounder of allegations that it made its chloramphenicol palmitate product inconsistent with its label.

Norwalk, Conn. — He's no stranger to long shots. The 20-year track veterinarian took some flack for remedying an epiglottal entrapment on Alysheba one month before the 1987 Kentucky Derby. Alysheba went on to win the first leg of the Triple Crown despite 17-1 odds.

SHAWNEE, KAN. - 11/18/05 - PBS's "Nature" series will feature on Sunday the storied rescue efforts of animals stranded in Katrina's wake.

The following is an excerpt from a press release issued by Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine and the Equine Health Studies Program.

Donkeys and mules receive special note as they are responsible for many of the injuries to genitalia.

Baton Rouge, La.—Louisiana State University (LSU) wasn't part of the state veterinarian's hurricane response or contingency plan before Katrina was a household name. But shortly after the large Category 4 storm ravaged Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, it became clear that unsolicited veterinary help would be needed on an unprecedented scale to rescue and relieve thousands of animals.

Washington — Legislation to terminate federal funding of inspections for U.S. horse slaughter facilities made its way into both cameral versions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) appropriations bill. At presstime, Congress passed budget extensions for all U.S. agencies after missing the Oct. 1 deadline while House and Senate versions of federal spending bills are hammered out in conference, but observers expect the provision that would kill funding for inspection services at horse slaughter plants to make it into the final bill.

Automobile accidents are responsible for a significant amount of the deaths and injuries to veterinarians, especially large animal practitioners. This should come as no surprise because these road warriors commonly are rushing to stay on schedule and trying to negotiate roads, follow directions and return phone calls all at the same time. Long hours, especially during foaling and calving seasons, contribute to fatigue. Drowsiness and driving definitely do not mix.

BATON ROUGE, LA. - 10/19/05 - Bidding for the 2006 multiple-breed, Internet-based Stallion Service Auction of the Louisiana State University (LSU) Equine Health Studies Program began Oct. 14.

Eleven states reported 186 EEE cases in horses as of Aug. 23.

A Grade 1 murmur is the first audible sound you can hear. You can barely detect a Grade 1 murmur with your stethoscope.

Reproduction is the area where mini owners are most likely to need veterinary assistance.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Lay people are permitted to float equine teeth in Minnesota due to an amendment tied to the state's budget bill that passed prior to the July 4 recess.

MARYSVILLE, OHIO - 8/23/05 - The Ohio State University College (OSU) of Veterinary Medicine opened a 10,000-square-foot facility for ambulatory veterinary care. The practice serves more than 900 clients in 13 counties and provides complete medical and surgical services as well as herd-oriented production medicine services.

Washington — The veterinary profession is battling federal proposals that would eliminate funding for slaughter facility inspections and nix funds that administrate the sale of federally managed mustangs.

Elmont, N.Y. — She's no stranger to track trauma. She was instrumental in saving Charismatic's life in 1999 as the horse battled for the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Dr. Celeste Kunz, DVM, New York Racing Association (NYRA) chief examining veterinarian, was the first to treat Charismatic when he pulled up abruptly in the stretch. The diagnosis of a displaced condylar fracture was made on the scene, and Charismatic was fitted with a compression boot. Kunz loaded him into the horse ambulance, medicated him and delivered him to the safety of his stall. Radiographs confirmed the diagnosis minutes later, and the compression boot successfully prevented further displacement prior to his surgery.

St. Louis — Demand for equine products are expected to taper a bit in this year's second quarter compared to the first quarter. Veterinarians cite macroeconomics, patient numbers and customer initiatives as the main influencers of market fluxuations. But in some cases, the same influencers are driving demand, too.

WASHINGTON - 6/30/05 - A study released today reveals the horse industry contributes $39 billion in direct economic impact to the U.S. economy and supports 1.4 million full-time jobs.

Washington — A national steering committee that will promote and monitor equine welfare is underway after a debut industrywide Unwanted Horse Summit.

Washington — About 4,000 equine owners can expect a visit from enumerators with the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agriculture Statistics Service next month. They are on a mission to gauge on-farm infection control strategies.

Evaluating synovial structures and tendon sheathes requires infusion of sterile saline solution at a point far away from the trauma.