New Smartphone Tool Can Perform Equine ECG In The Field

Veterinarians in the field now have another tool at their disposal to assist with horse health care: a smartphone-based electrocardiogram (ECG) device.

Drs. Elena Alberti, Luca Stucchi, Valeria Pesce, Giovanni Stancari, Elisabetta Ferro, Francesco Ferrucci and Enrica Zucca, all with the University of Milan in Italy, have found that the hand-held tool is useful, practical and feasible to use.

Previously, the AliveCor Veterinary Heart Monitor had only been evaluated by its use on horses in an equine hospital; the scientific team set out to determine if the tool would be accurate when used in the field as conditions are less stable than in a hospital. The scientists created a study to compare the accuracy of smartphone-based ECGs that were recorded by the AliveCor Veterinary Heart Monitor and a standard ECG unit.

ECGs from both were recorded at the same time on both horses in a barn and horses in an equine hospital. The ECGs recorded on a smartphone were digitized by the device and emailed as a PDF; both sets were then analyzed on a laptop by an experienced clinician who didn't know which ECG was recorded by which device.

Both devices recorded the heart rate and rhythm similarly; they also evaluated atrioventricular block and premature complexes, P wave and PQ interval duration, and QRS complex duration and polarity the same. There were no differences between artefacts recorded in the hospital or in the field.

The scientists concluded that the results the AliveCor Veterinary Heart Monitor provided were accurate and that the smartphone-based monitor was a reliable diagnostic tool for vets in the field as well and in a hospital setting. They did, however, note that exceptional atmospheric conditions, like lightning storms, may prevent the AliveCor from recording in the field.

Read the article here.

Read more at HorseTalk.

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Thomas Moves From Private Practice To Regulatory Vet Duties In Maryland

Dr. Heidi Thomas, who has roughly 25 years of experience as a private veterinary practitioner primarily in Florida, has been getting acclimated since she started her job as the Maryland Jockey Club Senior Veterinarian in mid-October.

Thomas, originally from Connecticut, earned her undergraduate degree at Purdue University in Indiana and her veterinary degree at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. Though she has done regulatory veterinary work at tracks in Florida and Arizona, much of her time has been with the prominent veterinary practice Teigland, Franklin & Brokken, DVMs in South Florida.

She was working at Gulfstream Park and Gulfstream Park West before relocating to Maryland.

As the MJC Senior Veterinarian, Thomas works closely with Dr. Libby Daniel, the Maryland Racing Commission's Equine Medical Director. Her primary role is to monitor training at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course.

“I'm learning the routine and getting to know the people and horses,” Thomas said. “The Maryland racetracks are a nice place to be. The recent regulatory changes made in Maryland have improved horse health and safety. I'm available if anyone at the track needs assistance, and I'm happy to answer any questions.”

Thomas owns a retired racehorse and has a special interest in aftercare and rescue organizations.

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Vet School Applications Increase Significantly

The number of people applying for entrance to veterinary school increased by 19 percent for the 2020-2021 school year. Preliminary data from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) shows that 10,273 applied for entrance into vet school this year compared to the 8,645 who applied for the 2019-2020 year.

This increase could be pandemic related, reports JAVMAnews. Historically, in times of uncertainty, applications to graduate and professional programs increase, so some increase in applications was to be expected. This often happens as people completing undergraduate degrees have trouble finding employment during economic downturns, so they decide to continue their education.

The 19 percent increase is significantly higher than the average 6 to 7 percent increase in applications seen each year. The deadline for application was extended this year, which may play a role in the increase. Additionally, the AAVMC admissions and recruitment teams communicated more with applicants and conducted more webinars as resources to potential applicants.

Read more at JAVMA News.

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New App Helps Owners Determine If Horses In Pain

A new smartphone app can help horse owners and caretakers determine if their horse is in pain. A joint project between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and Stichting De Paardenkamp, the Equine Pain and Welfare App (EPWA) uses scientific pain measurement to help determine if a call to a veterinarian is warranted.

The app asks for user input on physiological variables, like heart and respiration rate; behaviors like lying down or rolling; and facial expressions that include the movement of the mouth, ears, eyes and nostrils. It then calculates a pain score between 0 and 18; users are advised to contact a vet if the score is above a 5.

The app also has a checklist to see if a horse is showing signs of Cushing's disease. A journal feature allows owners to input how much a horse eats, medications he may take and how often he exercises. It also includes 10 recommendations for equine welfare, and a place to record medical information and appointments.

The app is free from the App Store and Google Play.

For more details, click here (language can be changed through Google translate).

Read more at Equine Science Update.

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