News
-
WCVM opens equine ICU and foal centre
A new centre that will allow equine specialists to provide the best possible care for mares and foals and other sick horses is now open at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). The new Rae-Dawn Arabians Equine Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Foal Centre was made possible by a generous gift from Murray and Shirley Popplewell, who are long-time …
June 08th, 2017 Full story »
-
Early detection of EMS has big benefits
Weight-related health problems are a growing concern in the world of equine medicine just as they are in the world of human medicine. Excess weight can lead to serious health complications such as the development of insulin resistance – a condition linked to type 2 diabetes in people and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) in horses. Unfortunately, owners often don’t consider …
March 03rd, 2017 Full story »
-
Drugs in my tack box
Much like human sport competitions, irresponsible medication use and a positive drug test can cause serious problems for both the horse and rider at equine events. “If you’re competing in a horse sport, the first thing you need to know is whose rules you’re running under,” says Dr. Trisha Dowling, a board-certified specialist in veterinary pharmacology and large animal internal …
February 12th, 2017 Full story »
-
Equine drug study leads to rule change
Results from a Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) study have led to a nation-wide change in Equine Canada-sanctioned competition rules regulating the use of the drug firocoxib in performance horses. The national equine sport organization’s rule change regarding firocoxib’s use came into effect on Jan. 1, 2016. Firocoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s used to treat musculoskeletal …
April 14th, 2016 Full story »
-
EHV-1 case dies of other health issues
A Saskatoon-area horse that was diagnosed with the neurologic form of equine herpes virus 1 (EHV-1) has been humanely euthanized after developing other health issues. The horse was the first of two local equine patients diagnosed with EHV-1 in the past two weeks. Veterinarians from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) were providing treatment and supportive care for the …
March 31st, 2016 Full story »
-
VIDEO: Equine lift system in action
This innovative new project at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is designed to give healing horses a lift as they recover from injuries. Check out this story for more information on Dr. Julia Montgomery’s work.
March 22nd, 2016 Full story »
-
EHV-1 confirmed in horse near Saskatoon
Equine herpes virus 1 (EHV-1) has been confirmed in a horse with neurologic disease being boarded at a stable near Saskatoon. EHV-1 is a common equine virus to which nearly all horses are exposed during their lifetime. EHV-1 usually causes mild respiratory disease, but in some cases, the virus can spread to other parts of the body. In rare cases, …
March 17th, 2016 Full story »
-
Temperature and equine inflammation: link?
After spending several years of her academic career dedicated to improving the understanding of equine inflammatory processes, Dr. Stacy Anderson knows her fair share about why horses and inflammation don’t mix. “Horses do not do well with inflammation,” says Anderson, who completed her PhD program on the equine inflammation topic in 2015. Her graduate supervisor was Dr. Baljit Singh of …
March 15th, 2016 Full story »
-
New device gives healing horses a lift
It’s 8 a.m., and I’m all set for a long day of filling out paperwork for my summer job as a student researcher at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). Less than an hour later I’m suturing up an eight-inch laceration on the shoulder of “Mama,” one of our research horses, in the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre’s equine treatment …
March 01st, 2016 Full story »
-
Sable Island offers unique opportunity
My feet and back are aching, my boots are filled with sand, and I have horse manure all over my hands after a day of collecting fecal samples. I’ve just finished a 15-kilometre hike, an almost daily occurrence, and I’m heading back to the research station to help with another four or five hours of lab work. I’m utterly exhausted, …
February 09th, 2016 Full story »
