Equine

How to Feed Horses With Metabolic Challenges

September 28, 2015

Originally published in the September 2015 issue of Veterinary Practice News Most horses’ nutritional requirements are satisfied by having enough good hay to fulfill their caloric needs, water and a salt block (probably). But it is increasingly recognized that certain equine metabolic conditions can benefit from special diets targeted toward specific aspects of the condition. Recognizing that a horse has a metabolic problem is usually not particularly difficult, as horses will often show stereotypical clinical signs. Here’s a brief overview of a few common conditions and nutritional strategies that may help address them. Insulin Resistance/Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) in Equines EMS is a problem in both horses and humans. Horses with EMS become less sensitive to insulin’s effects, and more insulin than normally required is needed to keep blood sugar concentrations within normal limits, especially after a meal high in starch or sugar. The cause of EMS is not known, but a genetic component may be involved. Since these horses usually require relatively little feed to maintain their weight, they are commonly referred to as “easy …

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AABP Has No Beef With New Orleans

September 23, 2015

Describing its latest conference as the “strongest in years,” the American Association of Bovine Practitioners drew nearly 1,400 veterinarians and students to New Orleans and awarded nearly a quarter-million dollars in scholarships. The 48th annual convention, held Sept. 17 to 19, also saw Canyon, Texas, veterinarian Steve Lewis, DVM, named Bovine Practitioner of the Year and Fred Gingrich, DVM, of Ashland, Ohio, installed as president. The meeting was heavy on education, with 17 preconference seminars, dozens of classes and a half-day session on bovine respiratory disease. “Our overarching goal for the continuing education content of the program was to focus on the issues that the cattle veterinarian faces on a daily basis,” Dr. Gingrich said. “Animal welfare, bovine respiratory disease, practice management, providing new services to clients and current research topics are all important topics for cattle veterinarians.” The organization’s immediate past president, John Davidson, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, was very pleased with how things went. “This meeting was the strongest in years and a testament to our AABP member veterinarian’s commitment to a life of learning,” he said. Scholarships totaling $239,000 were awarded to veterinary students. The largest—$7,500 Amstutz Scholarships—went to Lisa Dauten of Purdue University, Tyler Grussing and …

USDA Approves Avian Influenza Vaccine

September 21, 2015

Chicken and turkey producers will finally possess a weapon in the fight against the deadly and highly contagious avian flu. Harrisvaccines of Ames, Iowa, reported today that the company received the first conditional license of a vaccine targeting highly pathogenic avian influenza. The virus has killed an estimated 50 million chickens and turkeys in the United States since the initial outbreak was reported this past spring. The drug, Avian Influenza Vaccine, RNA, is not ready for distribution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which granted the license, wants a stockpile of 500 million doses readied in time for the next outbreak, which could begin as wild birds migrate south for the winter. “Although we cannot sell the vaccine today, we are in a better position to apply this robust and rapidly produced vaccine, if and when the virus re-emerges once again,” said Joel Harris, vice president of Harrisvaccines. Another reason is that some countries are wary of buying the meat of vaccinated poultry. “There’s concern that if we start vaccinating against avian influenza [now] our trading partners will stop importing meat from the U.S.,” Harris said. Avian Influenza Vaccine, RNA is a single-dose injectable formulated for use in day-old chicks and adult hens. …

Virginia Tech Gets OK for Proposed Design of New Dairy, Animal Science Facilities

September 17, 2015

Virginia Tech recently reported that its Board of Visitors has approved the proposed design for the second phase of the new Dairy Science Complex. Phase II builds upon the new state-of-the-art research facilities and provides additional space for research, teaching and Virginia Cooperative Extension initiatives in dairy and animal sciences. Scientists working at the new complex will collaborate with partners in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, the Department of Dairy Science, the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, the Agricultural Technology Program and with colleagues from industry and universities across the United States. The $7.6 million facility will include an applied reproductive physiology facility, an intensive metabolic research facility at the Kentland Farm complex and a bovine extension, teaching and research facility on Plantation Road. Virginia tech The new dairy facilities will be a boon to collaboration and applied research and teaching structures will allow unparalleled experiential learning for students. “The new buildings are an indication of the university’s support of the land-grant mission and will ensure the continued success of our award-winning dairy science program,” said Mike Akers, Ph.D., the department head and …

OSU Opens Gaylord Center for Excellence in Equine Health

September 15, 2015

The Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences recently opened the Gaylord Center for Excellence in Equine Health. The center, which will offer horse owners more options, was made possible by a $1 million lead gift from the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation. “This new facility greatly enhances our ability to provide premier health care for horses of all ages and disciplines,” said Todd Holbrook, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (large animal), Dipl. ACVSMR), equine section chief. “We are excited to offer these services to horse owners everywhere.” The new space has created an outpatient service area for equine athletes while a separate overhead door entrance allows sport horses to enter the temperature controlled Gaylord Equine Performance Suite directly from the outside rather than going through the hospital’s large animal clinic entrance. In addition, specialty equipment for regenerative medicine is now centrally located adjacent to the exam area. The Gaylord Equine Neonatal Care Wing has three …

Illinois Alters Protocol After Cow Deaths

September 14, 2015

The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine has changed procedures after one cow died and four were euthanized in a case the U.S. Department of Agriculture attributed to possible unsanitary conditions and inadequate post-surgical monitoring. The college-owned cows underwent invasive surgery during a student laboratory and later developed post-operative peritonitis, or inflammation or infection of the abdominal lining, USDA stated. A USDA inspector reported that the operations involving six student groups and six cows were conducted in “a prep area” rather than a surgical suite and that the cows were moved days later to the campus farm, where oversight was assigned to two animal caretakers. University administrator Lyndon J. Goodly, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACLAM, described the matter as “extremely important.” “We will address and correct any shortcomings,” Dr. Goodly, the associate vice chancellor for research, wrote in an Aug. 25 response to a USDA regional director. A USDA veterinary medical officer, Susan Kingston, DVM, raised questions about the deaths following her routine inspection. “At some point in a …

MetaStim Adjuvant Added to Swine Vaccine

August 25, 2015

Zoetis Inc. has released a reformulated porcine circovirus (PCV) vaccine that includes the MetaStim adjuvant. MetaStim, a common vaccine emulsion, slows the release of antigens, giving a pig’s immune system more time to respond to the virus, the company reported today. “MetaStim has been used in swine, bovine and equine vaccines for years, including most recently, Fostera PCV MH,” said Darrell Neuberger, DVM, of Zoetis’ Pork Technical Services. The new Fostera PCV MetaStim swine vaccine is indicated to protect against diseases caused by porcine circovirus Type 2 (PCV2). The vaccine carries 23-week duration of immunity, the Florham Park, N.J., company stated. Fostera PCV MetaStim, which replaces Fostera PCV, is available in 50- and 250-dose vials.

Many Canadian Piglets Low on Iron

August 24, 2015

Young pigs may need a second round of iron supplementation to stave off anemia and disease, according to a study conducted at Ontario Veterinary College. Doctoral student Amanda Kubik weighed nearly 1,200 piglets being raised on commercial farms across Ontario and collected blood samples, the University of Guelph reported Aug. 17. All the pigs had received a standard 200-milligram iron supplement in the first few days after birth. Kubik randomly chose one small, medium and large pig from each litter just before weaning and returned three weeks later for more testing. By that point the pigs were getting their iron from feed. “There were statistically significant results,” Kubik said. “The between herd prevalence of iron deficiency in the sampled pigs prior to weaning was 28 percent and the prevalence of anemia was 6 percent. When the same pigs were sampled three weeks later, the between herd prevalence had increased to 43 percent for iron deficiency and 18 percent for anemia.” Advancements in nutrition, genetics and on-farm management mean piglets are born into larger litters and grow at a faster rate than in previous decades, the university noted. As a result, standard supplement protocols may not meet their needs. …

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