Western College of Veterinary Medicine
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Surgical solution for PPID?
A Canadian researcher is working to develop a surgical technique that could, one day, provide a long-lasting fix for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. PPID, also historically known as Cushing’s disease, occurs when a part of the pituitary gland called the pars intermedia becomes enlarged and secretes excessive levels of adrenocorticotrophic hormone. The body reacts to this excess …
May 25th, 2018 Full story »
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Horse Health Lines (Spring 2018) online
The Spring 2018 issue of Horse Health Lines, news publication for the WCVM’s Townsend Equine Health Research Fund, is now online. You can also view the publication as part of the May/June issue of Canadian Horse Journal or check out the PDF version. Inside this issue, you’ll find the following stories: Surgical solution for PPID?: A WCVM researcher is working on a surgical option for treating pituitary pars intermedia …
May 25th, 2018 Full story »
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Researchers use human medicine to further equine research
While unexpected results can lead to headaches and frustration for everyone involved, they proved to be a bonus for a team of researchers from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). Dr. Julia Montgomery and her research team encountered surprising results while conducting a study aimed at finding biomarkers for equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), a metabolic and hormonal disorder in …
March 13th, 2018 Full story »
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High-tech horse adds value to WCVM
A group of first-year veterinary students gather around a life-sized black plastic horse, holding up what looks like a large piece of intestine. “Wow! Cool!” exclaim several students as Dr. Julia Montgomery demonstrates the digestive system inside the equine model. This isn’t just any horse. It’s an advanced equine simulator, made possible by a $50,000 donation from the Equine Foundation …
February 06th, 2018 Full story »
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The vet behind the PowerFloat
Ask any horse owner or equine veterinarian about the PowerFloat, and they’ll tell you that the rotary dental instrument is synonymous with equine dental care — an essential tool that’s well known in the horse community. The PowerFloat was the brainchild of Dr. Dennis Rach, a Calgary-based large animal veterinarian who has always liked solving problems. Rach has been practising …
February 06th, 2018 Full story »
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Teamwork important for WCVM radiologist
Perseverance and dedication have led Dr. Lesley Zwicker to her role as the newest board-certified radiologist at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). Zwicker has faced a long journey to get to this point – earning diplomate certification by the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) is a three-year process, which requires intensive studying and testing to meet the …
December 07th, 2017 Full story »
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Reining in equine obesity
Imagine you’re a draft horse. The year is 1927 and you spend most of your time hooked up to a plow in the field, burning calories and muscle. You dine primarily on grain. It’s important to keep your energy up because you work hard every day and your family depends on you. When the tractor comes along, your role on …
October 23rd, 2017 Full story »
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Horse Health Lines (Fall 2017) now online
The Fall 2017 issue of Horse Health Lines, news publication for the WCVM’s Townsend Equine Health Research Fund, is now online. You can also view the publication as part of the September/October issue of Canadian Horse Journal or check out the PDF version. Inside this issue, you’ll find the following stories: • Equine explorers: With the support of TEHRF, WCVM researchers will …
October 01st, 2017 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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A life-saving gift
It was nearly 20 years ago when Murray and Shirley Popplewell visited the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) for the first time – but it’s a story they still tell. The couple had just witnessed the birth of their first Arabian foal. The foal lay on the ground, its head limp. Beginning to worry, they picked up the baby …
April 14th, 2017 Full story »
