equine health
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Exploring EndoStitch’s™ use for colic surgery
A horse’s digestive tract is a long, complicated, somewhat finicky thing. Usually it performs its functions admirably, but when the digestive tract malfunctions, it can result in painful symptoms known as colic. While mild cases of colic usually resolve with medical treatment, surgery can be the only option for treating horses suffering from severe colic. Researchers at the University of …
November 10th, 2012 Full story »
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Coggins test still vital cog in EIA screening
The standard in equine infectious anemia (EIA) screening is a test known to horse owners everywhere as the Coggins test. A “negative Coggins” is required for import and export of horses and is recommended for any situation in which horses are gathered together, such as a competition or boarding stable. But what exactly is a Coggins test, and how is …
July 12th, 2012 Full story »
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Controlling EIA’s spread has its challenges
Those in the horse industry all share a stake in maintaining vigilance over the spread and control of equine communicable diseases, and this is perhaps most true with equine infectious anemia (EIA), a disease whose only control is through regular screening. But the politics of disease management inevitably bring forth questions. Why do certain competitions require EIA screening but not …
July 12th, 2012 Full story »
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EIA persistent equine disease in the West
The mention of equine infectious anemia (EIA) or swamp fever holds a special kind of fear for horse owners. With no vaccine and no cure for the disease, a positive diagnosis of EIA is essentially a death sentence as an affected horse must be either euthanized or quarantined for life in fly-proof facilities to avoid infecting other horses. EIA screening …
July 12th, 2012 Full story »
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Equine Code of Practice survey available
Equine owners and others with an interest in equine welfare have an opportunity to provide input into the revision to Canada’s Equine Code of Practice through online surveys. The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is conducting a third stakeholder survey to gain further input as the Equine Code of Practice is revised. The Code will serve as our national …
July 03rd, 2012 Full story »
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The tick factor
Like many Saskatchewan residents, I’ve have had to resign myself to dealing with ticks in recent years. Slowly but surely, ticks appear to be creeping into parts of the province that were previously (and blissfully) tick-free. The first tick I ever encountered was flung clear across the room in horror (never to be seen again). But I’ve since become a …
July 02nd, 2012 Full story »
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Quick tick facts
“Know your enemy” is a well-known military maxim that’s also good advice for people on the Canadian Prairies who are seeing increasing populations of tick species in the region. Here are some quick facts about ticks and tick-borne diseases: Ticks, like spiders and mites, have eight legs in their mature form (as adults) and are members of the class Arachnida. …
May 11th, 2012 Full story »
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Undergraduate equine research
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine has a solid track record of administering and operating excellent summer research programs for undergraduate students — and the EHRF undergraduate summer student research program serves as an ideal example of the College’s success in this area. Each summer, the Fund selects one first- or second-year veterinary student to work alongside an equine specialist …
May 01st, 2012 Full story »
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Fund backs baker’s dozen of research projects
Researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) have received more than $183,000 in grants to support a baker’s dozen of vital research projects that will enhance equine and companion animal health care in Canada. “The calibre of the submitted research proposals was very high this year — making it difficult for the funds to make a final selection …
March 12th, 2012 Full story »
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Saskatchewan’s first equine expo a success
When Stacey Nahachewsky of Saskatoon, Sask., heard that the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) needed volunteers for the Saskatchewan Equine Expo, the second-year veterinary student jumped at the chance. She also brought along Harley, her 12-year-old Standardbred gelding that patiently underwent several procedures — including a painting session with veterinary students who outlined an equine skeleton and vital organs …
March 09th, 2012 Full story »
