Paul Basilio

Serum amyloid A (SAA) has a lot going for it as a biomarker. In a healthy horse, levels of the acute-phase protein are typically quite low, but those levels can rapidly increase—up to 1,000-fold in some cases—in response to inflammatory or infectious stimuli. In addition, no major breed or sex differences are observed in either the normal or…

At a time when the number of equine veterinarians leaving practice due to long hours, compassion fatigue and other factors is increasing, recognizing the causes of moral distress and understanding the tools to minimize its impact are critical to the future of the field.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common complication following colic surgery in horses. The prevalence of these infections ranges from 10% to 37% in the literature, but since clinical signs often don’t appear until after the horse is discharged, the prevalence is likely higher, according to Jesse Tyma, DVM, DACVS-LA, a veterinarian at Rhinebeck Equine in New York.

With up to 37% of horses getting a surgical site infection (SSIs) after colic surgery, post-surgical management is crucial, according to Jesse Tyma, DVM, DACVS-LA, a veterinarian at Rhinebeck Equine in Rhinebeck, N.Y.

Veterinary medicine is rife with ethical dilemmas, and equine practice often presents unique challenges that can increase the risks for career dissatisfaction and professional burnout due to moral distress. At a time when veterinarians are increasingly leaving practice due to long hours, compassion fatigue, and other factors, recognizing the causes of moral distress and understanding the tools to…

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and equine metabolic syndrome and insulin dysregulation (EMS/ID) are clinically distinct but overlapping disruptions of the endocrine system.

With up to 37% of horses getting a surgical site infection (SSIs) after colic surgery, post-surgical management is crucial, according to Jesse Tyma, DVM, DACVS-LA, a veterinarian at Rhinebeck Equine in Rhinebeck, N.Y.

When feeding horses with insulin dysregulation (ID), high-protein ration balancers have historically been the go-to treatment recommendation, even though the influence of dietary protein on disease control is not well understood.

Clinicians have been radiographing the equine neck for a long time. In the literature, most of the available information about the cervical vertebrae focuses on horses with neurologic abnormalities such as cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy, also known as Wobbler syndrome. In horses with osteoarthritic changes, however, the well of knowledge is not quite as deep.

When a horse is presented with diffuse swelling, cellulitis and/or lymphangitis of a limb, the descriptive but not-very-helpful term that is often used is ‘big leg.’ While the presentation is common in clinical practice and the impact on the horse’s welfare is significant, the amount known about the condition is quite limited.

Equine veterinarians do not think that their clients are prepared to deal with an infectious disease outbreak, and they can restrict the ability of clinicians to implement biosecurity recommendations, according to recent surveys funded by a USDA cooperative agreement through the National Animal Disease Prevention and Response Program.

Accusations of malpractice can strike fear into veterinarians and cause them undue emotional and financial burden. The filing of a state board complaint against a veterinarian can take minutes, but how the veterinarian responds can mean the difference between an open-and-shut case and one that is seemingly never-ending.

Preventing surgical site infections is a critical goal for any orthopedic procedure in equine medicine, and antimicrobial prophylaxis is a common tool used to safeguard the success of those procedures. As the principles of antimicrobial stewardship move to the forefront of veterinary medicine, an increasingly relevant question is whether the routine use of antimicrobials truly is justified.

Most equine foot infections are simple abscesses that a veterinarian or farrier can treat without expecting major complications. More serious infections, however, can have career-ending or life-threatening complications.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern in both human and veterinary medicine. While antimicrobials are an irreplaceable tool in clinical practice, every prescription carries a risk.

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a highly contagious, highly prevalent virus that causes disease worldwide. Although the virus causes mostly mild disease, severe disease is possible, and ongoing outbreaks have the potential to have a high economic impact.

Endocrinopathic laminitis is the most common form of clinical laminitis, and horses with insulin dysregulation (ID) are at a significantly higher risk for developing the potentially debilitating disease. While medical treatment has its place in the management of some horses, the most effective way to manage and prevent episodes of endocrinopathic laminitis is through precise nutrition.

In human medicine, telemedicine is old hat. It’s been around for decades and, mostly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been thoroughly integrated in the everyday clinical workflow.

A prepurchase examination is an excellent way to mitigate risk when buying a horse, but sometimes the eyes can take a backseat.

Regional limb perfusion (RLP) is an excellent way to manage active infections, aid in wound healing and provide proper antimicrobial prophylaxis to the distal limb. For veterinarians who are unsure of proper RLP technique, however, the procedure can be an anxious affair.

Pastern dermatitis is one of the most common dermatologic presentations in equine medicine. It is so common that it comprises 38 of the most common dermatologic presentations in equine medicine.

Clinicians have been radiographing the equine neck for a long, long time. In the literature, most of the available information about the cervical vertebrae is focused on horses with neurologic abnormalities such as cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy, or Wobbler syndrome. In horses with osteoarthritic changes, however, the well of knowledge is not quite as deep.

Inflammatory airway disease is a common condition among young racehorses that can significantly affect performance and quality of life, and prior research has shown that as a horse’s exposure to dust increases, so does the proportion of neutrophils found on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).