horses
‘It was always horses, horses, horses.’
August 30th, 2023
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Long before she became a veterinarian, Dr. Amanda Butler was a big fan of horses. “There was never a second when I didn’t think I was going to work with horses,” says Butler, a lecturer in equine field service and large animal medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). “[For me], it was always horses, horses, horses.” After …
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Iodine important in pregnant mares’ diets
When it comes to bringing new horses into the world, mare care and particularly mare nutrition should be a top priority for horse owners — a mother’s diet during pregnancy can drastically impact the health of her foal. A multi-year study led by Dr. Claire Card at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is aimed at ensuring that mares …
November 25th, 2022 Full story »
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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 »
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Nerve blocks: working from the bottom up?
As the saying “no hoof, no horse” implies, the diagnosis and resolution of lameness is critical to a horse’s life. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to see a horse limping down the equine ward of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) Large Animal Clinic. When there are no obvious external lesions that could explain a horse’s lameness, flexion tests …
April 04th, 2016 Full story »
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Equine Ed Day attracts young riders
An annual educational opportunity at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) has become a favourite event for young horse enthusiasts. This year the 4-H and Pony Club Educational Day will draw more than 250 young riders who are eager to learn more about horse health. Participants come from across Saskatchewan and Alberta. The event will be held Saturday, March …
February 25th, 2016 Full story »
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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 »
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Scratching the surface of equine skin diseases
If you have ever owned a horse with a skin disease, you know from experience that these conditions are frustrating to manage — diagnosing them can be difficult and their treatment is tedious. Worse yet, skin diseases can be painful for your horse if they cause irritation under tack or lameness. Dr. Michelle Husulak has seen her fair share of equine …
June 30th, 2015 Full story »
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Equine infectious anemia threat for horses
Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease of horses, mules and donkeys that should be taken very seriously by owners, says a veterinary researcher. “When a horse is infected [with equine infectious anemia or EIA], it is infected for life,” says Dr. Sara Higgins. She’s a resident in large animal medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) whose …
May 26th, 2015 Full story »
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WCVM grad wins equine scholarship
Dr. Becky Gilday, a 2014 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), is one of nine equine-focused veterinarians in North America to receive $4,000 scholarships from Zoetis and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation. The scholarships were announced during the AAEP’s Focus on Sport Horses and Focus on Students summer meetings in Louisville, Ky., July 19-22. …
July 21st, 2014 Full story »
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EHRF Research Grants, 2013-14
Is fine needle aspiration an option for diagnosing equine skin disease? Drs. Bruce Wobeser and Hilary Burgess Skin disease, including both skin cancers and inflammatory conditions, is common in horses. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a technique commonly used to diagnose similar conditions in companion animals. It involves inserting a needle into the skin and extracting cells for microscopic observation. …
September 19th, 2013 Full story »