VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTime to stop horsing around with equine pain managementJune 19, 2025 Many horses are described as grumpy, aggressive, unwilling, lazy, bad-tempered, or ill-mannered, but what if they are none of those things? Equine pain experts say unwanted behavior is often an attempt to communicate the animal is in pain. Failure by owners and veterinarians to recognize pain occurs for several reasons: the propensity of horses to conceal pain; a lack of training for veterinarians in evaluating poor performance or low-grade multi-limb lameness, especially in ridden horses; and denial by owners and trainers who may not want to admit that their horses are aging, injured, or unable to compete in a particular event. "I think one of the biggest challenges for us is equine medicine hasn't really come along as well as small animal medicine, dogs and cats, with regard to recognition of pain as a vital sign and something we should be treating," says Rachel Reed, DVM, DACVAA, associate professor at University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. "For horses, we're a little bit behind on thinking about managing their pain. It's often an afterthought to whatever they are presented for." Veterinary researchers are seeking improved methods and tools for recognizing and …
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Cell atlas research reveals parallels between equine, human pregnanciesMarch 3, 2025New research has resulted in the first high-resolution molecular picture of the equine endometrium – the inner lining of the uterus – before and after embryo implantation. This picture, or cell atlas, highlights key similarities in immune cells between early human and equine pregnancy, a surprise given the vastly different placentas, reports the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Treating facial nerve paralysis with acupunctureJanuary 20, 2025While many horses recover with conventional care, those that do not may be euthanized. Evidence indicates acupuncture propels a more rapid resolution of peripheral nerve injury; why wait, then, until all else fails before giving it a try?
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveUsing NSAIDs to rein in performance horse painNovember 15, 2024OA is the leading cause of lameness in more than 60 percent of horses and is a significant concern for those managing the care of performance horses. To combat OA or soft tissue injuries, performance horses are often prescribed NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and pain.
New NC State DVM program aims to guide undergrads toward a career in equine careOctober 15, 2024Launching this fall, the Equine Scholars Program invites qualified undergraduate students with a demonstrated interest in horse health to join NC State’s DVM program from partner universities statewide.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveSurgical Conditions of the Equine FootAugust 29, 2024In this session: Participants can expect to learn about a variety of surgical conditions of the equine foot from Jenna Young, DVM, Dipl. ACVS (Large Animal). Typical presentation, diagnosis, treatment options, surgical techniques, and prognosis will be discussed for each condition. Topics will include trauma to the hoof, septic pedal osteitis, keratoma, canker, quittor, bone cysts, and fractures.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTriaging the Sick Neonatal FoalAugust 21, 2024In this session: So, your client’s mare delivered a live, apparently healthy foal several days ago and now he/she is deteriorating? This discussion focuses on the most common causes of illness in foals in the first few days of life, including sepsis, diarrhea, and more. Emily Barrell, DVM, MSc, DACVIM-LAIM, reviews risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnostics, and treatment for these conditions, focusing on key takeaways, including when to refer and what to do before sending the pair on their way to the hospital. Prompt intervention can greatly impact survival in critically ill foals, and this discussion will leave you feeling prepared to identify and triage the most likely causes of disease in equine neonates.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveGuttural Pouch Disease in the Equine PatientAugust 13, 2024Shana Filipek, CVT, VTS (EVN) guides participants on the anatomy and function of the guttural pouches, giving them a deeper understanding of their role in equine physiology. From there, she delves into the various types of guttural pouch diseases, including examining their etiology, clinical presentations, and treatment options.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveLinking livestock welfare and veterinary medicineJuly 12, 2024Fear Free adds livestock management techniques to its curriculum, overseen by Temple Grandin, PhD, director of animal well-being. Dr. Grandin, professor of animal science at CSU, hopes Fear Free training will help encourage interest in the field, as well as continue to increase productivity and improve animal welfare.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveBenefits of using portable ultrasound in large animal careJune 21, 2024Bringing diagnostic imaging out into the field can have benefits for patients and veterinarians. However, many practices may not know the full breadth of improvements a portable ultrasound unit can have on equine and large animal care and practices.
