A significant advance in veterinary research is coming to the racetrack in the form of a standing equine PET scanner. The machine will soon be available at Santa Anita Park, marking a major milestone in the battle against racetrack injuries.
The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation board of directors announced March 25 that it has authorized $1,338,858 to fund eight new projects at seven universities (including UC Davis), nine continuing projects, and three career development awards to fund veterinary research to benefit all horses.
Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is relatively widespread in horses; approximately 60 percent of healthy horses harbor the virus. While the more common form of EHV-1 can cause respiratory illness as well as abortion, it is rarely fatal. However, a neurological strain of this virus, also known as equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM), can kill 30 to 50 percent of affected horses. That's why it is critical for the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory to be able to use PCR testing to differentiate between strains.
Thoroughbred racehorses who suffer catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries are more likely to show lameness in the three months leading up to their injury than horses that race without incident, research has shown.
For more than 50 years, Michael Muir (yes, the great-grandson of conservationist John Muir) has been breeding horses with the help of the UC Davis veterinary hospital’s Equine Field Service and Equine Reproduction Service. His unique breed of the Stonewall Sporthorse wins national and international competitions--as well as the hearts of those who find a new lease on life from the therapy they provide.
Dr. Susan Stover has been funded frequently by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. Her goal in recent research is the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in equine athletes.
A somewhat mysterious, sometimes fatal muscle-related disease in Quarter Horses is getting a little clearer. Researchers recently determined that immune-mediated myositis (IMM) is due to a genetic mutation encoding a protein that’s expressed in adult equine muscle.
Doug Herthel, DVM, passed away July 11, 2018. Dr. Herthel, 71, earned his undergraduate degree from UC Davis and was a member of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) Class of 1971. It was at UC Davis where he met his wife, Sue. Shortly after completing his DVM studies, Dr. and Mrs. Herthel founded what would become the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, California.
Preventing injuries in racing and performance horses is a priority for owners, trainers and the professionals who take care of them, not only for the horses’ welfare and well-being, but also for the longevity of their careers.
Dr. Sue Stover participated in a panel discussing the appropriateness of bisphosphonate use in race horses, especially in young horses, during the animal welfare forum at the Association of Racing Commissioners International conference on equine welfare and racing integrity.
