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This third edition of the SVM Equine Hospital newsletter is the first of a two part series with a focus on equine research done at the University of Wisconsin. In this first research issue we’ll highlight work in three specific laboratories, and explain a little of the background to the funding and regulation of equine research at the SVM. In the next issue we’ll provide a comprehensive listing of the many diverse types of work going on at the university.
Contents of Issue #3... From Laboratory to the Marketplace -- A New Equine Flu Vaccine How Well Does Your Horse See?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Chris Murphy Equine Orthopaedics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Mark Markel
From Laboratory to the Marketplace -- A New Equine Flu Vaccine
An incredibily diverse array of research is underway at the SVM, and much of it has a direct impact on our knowledge about horses and their health. These pages highlight two examples of innovative and exciting projects in orthopaedics and opthalmology, and a so gives some background on research funding and ethics (see sidebars). In the next issue of the Equine Hospital Newsletter we’ll give a comprehensive list of equine research projects at the University of Wisconsin.
How well does my horse see? This is actually a complex question that has
many components to it. Ability to see in low light, ability to detect motion, color vision
and ability to resolve fine details are just a few of the things contribute to a
horse’s visual ability. At UW-Madison a colaborative research group led by Chris
Murphy DVM PhD, an ophthalmologist at the School of Veterinary Medicine, has been studying
the horse’s ability to resolve fine detail in the environment (acuity) and ability to
see color.
Acuity: The ability to see fine detail was measured by measuring brain activity when horses see different gratings on a TV screen. By using this procedure we found that the visual acuity of the horse is approximately 20/60 (humans are 20/20). This means that a human at 60 feet can resolve details that a horse would have to be 20 feet away to tell apart. By way of example, a normal person can tell the lines apart on the left side of the visual acuity chart when it is 2 meters away. However, at that distance a horse could only tell the lines apart on the right side of the chart. a human at 60 feet can resolve details that a horse would have to be
20 feet away to tell apart
Nothing is more important for researchers, especially for veterinarians, than to be sure that animals involved in research are treated fairly. The equine research that involves horses at the UW-Madison, is done for the benefit of the horse. The standards of research facilities and animal housing are second to none, and no project involving animals can be started until the research plan has been carefully assessed by a committee to ensure it uses animals humanely. This scrutiny continues throughout the project to ensure that these real "equine researchers" are getting the care and treatment they deserve.
Treating joints with radio waves:
Fixing fractures with nails:
Research is incredibly expensive, but every dollar counts. Much of the work done at the SVM is funded by donations to the Equine Research Fund and Companion Animal Funds. Often these internally funded projects lead on to bigger grants from external funding bodies. You can learn more about three examples of important equine institutions that fund research at one of the listed websites: American Quarter Horse Association Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation If you want to make a donation to equine research at the SVM please call 608-263-5152 and ask to speak to Nancy Nelson. Thanks!
And Goodby to...
Wondering how to make an appointment or arrange a referral? Just call us at 1-608-263-7600 or 1-800-DVM-VMTH. Want to know more, visit our website for:
The "Equine Hospital Newsletter" is edited by Dr. Paul Lunn and prepared for publication by Mr. Brad Hodgeman. The equine logo was created by Dr. Birgit Bach. |
Dr. Paul Lunn’s research laboratory
works on equine immunonogy and protecting horses from infectious diseases. One of the most
common and important infections of the horse in the USA and around the world is influenza
virus. For several years Dr. Lunn and another SVM professor, Dr. Chris Olsen, have been
studying equine influenza and developing new vaccination strategies such as DNA
vaccination. These projects frequently focus on experimental techniques that may take some
years to reach the marketplace.
Lameness is one of the
most important diseases affecting horses, and often a serious orthopaedic injury can even
end a horse’s life. At the SVM the Comparative Orthopaedics Group led by Dr. Mark
Markel has undertaken many types of projects to study innovative treatments for equine
bone and joint disease. Here are two examples of current research.
Joint injury is the most common cause of disability
in the horse and the majority of these injuries result in disruption of the articular
cartilage surface. Preliminary work in the area of sports medicine surgery indicates that
debriding articular cartilage defects with radiofrequency energy results in improved
function and reduced pain. The figures show Dr. Markel and Dr. Ryland Edwards, who is
conducting this research project, evaluating a radiograph of an injured joint, and then
the horse prepared for arthroscopic surgery. The microscopic image was taken with a
confocal microscope and shows in red cartilage that has been treated with radiofrequency
energy.
Fractures are devastating for horses, and new
techniques for repairing them need to be found. Dr. Mandy Lopez is working in Dr.
Markel’s lab to investigate "interlocking nails" as a technique for
repair-ing major long bone fractures in horses.
Dr. Christine Peavey, Large Animal Surgery Resident
Angie
O’Sheridan, Large Animal Services Coordinator
Dr. Dane
Coombs, Large Animal Internal Medicine Resident
Dr.
Dana King, Large Animal Surgery Clinical Instructor