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Research Study On Diagnostics For Equine Osteoarthritis Of The Neck

Radiographs have been found to be insufficient evidence for diagnosing Cervical Facet disease according to a research study by Dr. Judith Koenig and a team of researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College. In a video interview, Koenig explains some of the complexities of equine osteoarthritis and cervical facet disease.

“Osteoarthritis is common in any athlete,” explains Koenig “especially as they get older.” The development of bone spurs can cause the facets to become enlarged. Inflammation around the cervical facet joints can affect the soft tissues and nerve roots. It is hypothesized that slight neck instability or overuse can result in remodeling of the joint. There were a larger number of dressage horses relative to the hospital population in the study and dressage horses may be at a higher risk for overuse of the facet joints of the cervical vertebrae.

Clinical signs of Osteoarthritis in the neck include: atrophy/muscle wasting (pronounced hollow in lower neck and vertebrae appear prominent), stiff neck (e.g. limited range in carrot stretch, difficulty when ridden in a “frame”) and sometimes front limb lameness that does not resolve by nerve blocking up the leg.

One of the reasons for the OVC study was the fact that previous studies have shown radiographs indicating changes in the neck of younger horses (6 to 8 years old) with no other clinical signs of osteoarthritis. Koenig has seen for herself, horses dismissed after pre-purchase exams when radiographs indicate mild osteoarthritis. When previous studies indicate 50 percent of clinically normal mature horses present with mild osteoarthritis on radiographs, a study to explore the significance was in order.

Differing opinions in classifying the severity of the stage of osteoarthritis from radiographs was revealed to be a good case for not using radiographs alone in diagnosis. “The repeatability of grading of osteoarthritis from radiographs was not reliable,” says Koenig. Two-thirds of the horses in the OVC study that were treated with intra-articular cortisone injection returned to their full level of work. The study concluded that radiographs alone were insufficient to diagnose cervical facet disease and other clinical signs (atrophy, stiffness, or lameness unresolved by nerve block) need to be present.

Watch the Equine Guelph video here.

$20 To $20,000: Horses And Humans Research Foundation Receives Matching Gift Challenge

The Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF)has received a matching gift challenge of $10,000. To received the matching funds, the organization must raise $10,000 before the end of October to receive the matching $10,000.

HHRF seeks to advance global knowledge of horse-human interactions and their impact on health and wellness through sustained investment in rigorous research. The Ohio-based charity has 100 percent Board participation; they are asking for $20 donations to help them reach their goal.

Donations can be made online or mailed to Horses and Humans Research Foundation, PO Box 23367, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022.

Old Friends: ‘Farm Favorite’ Einstein Euthanized Due To Cancer Complications

Five-time Grade 1 winner Einstein has died.

The 18-year-old son of Kentucky Derby winner Spend a Buck had been pensioned at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, since 2019. He was euthanized this morning at Park Equine Hospital due to complications of cancer.

Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, made the announcement this morning.

Trained by Helen Pitts, Einstein (Spend a Buck–Gay Charm, by Ghadeer) captured the 2009 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and four Grade 1 stakes on turf, including back-to-back triumphs in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs.

Other wins included the 2008 Clark Handicap (G2), also at Churchill, and the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap (G2T) at Fair Grounds. Einstein was among the first to have victories on all three track surfaces: dirt, turf, and synthetic.

In all Einstein made 27 starts, winning 11 races. He won or placed in 13 stakes, all of which were graded, and his career earnings totaled $2,703,324.

Einstein retired from racing in 2010 to stand at The Stronach Group's Adena Springs near Paris, Ky. He later stood at Adena Springs North in Ontario, Canada, and at Magali Farms near Santa Ynez, Calif.

His top runners include G3 winner Rankhasprivileges and multiple-stakes-placed E Equalsmcsquared. In 2019 Einstein was retired by Adena Springs to the non-profit organization.

“When we first retired Einstein, he was diagnosed with a tumor,” noted Old Friends's Blowen. “Dr. Rhodes Bell of Park Equine performed a delicate operation and removed the tumor. The procedure allowed Einstein to enjoy more than a year of happy life with Old Friends before the fast-growing tumors re-occurred over the weekend.

“Einstein was as classy and smart as he was handsome,” Blowen added. “He was a farm favorite, and he was especially fond of John Bradley. I wished we could have taken care of him for another decade.”

The post Old Friends: ‘Farm Favorite’ Einstein Euthanized Due To Cancer Complications appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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High-Tech Tool To Diagnose Rainrot

Rainrot is a common, painful skin condition affecting horses that are exposed to rainfall for an extended period of time. Caused by an opportunistic bacterium, a horse exposed to wet, humid conditions can rapidly develop a crusting infection that causes tight scabs in a drip pattern down his back, rump and flanks. Rainrot can also show up on areas of the horse that are in contact with wet grass, like on the lower legs and muzzle.

Though many horses can be treated for rainrot with over-the-counter products, older horses and those with comprised immune systems tend to get more-severe infections that may require veterinary intervention. When dealing with a severe case, a vet will generally sample the crusts and examine it under a microscope, looking for the specific bacteria that causes rainrot.

A New option available to veterinarians is the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. This DNA-amplification technique is commonly used in gene sequencing and forensic analysis, as well as for diagnosing infectious diseases. Extremely sensitive, PCR is a routine diagnostic test for most labs and it's affordable: The test isn't as expensive as most cytology tests.

Once run, it can differentiate between rainrot and other skin conditions, which will assist in determining a course of treatment, shortening the trial-and-error efforts sometimes needed to assist with healing.