News from Your Equine Health Care Provider | Vol. 6 |Fall 2019
IN THIS ISSUE
RREH to Host Intern Alumni Symposium RREH Welcomes Drs. Christie & Rings Dr. Bonnie Barr New KVMA President 3 Named KVMA Veterinarians of the Year Dr. Bill Gilsenan
-Will CBD oil help my horse?
Dr. Steve Reed
-Is it EPM-or something else?
RREH Sport Horse of the Year & Comeback Award Winners Rood & Riddle News
Rood & Riddle to Host Intern Alumni Symposium Former Rood & Riddle interns will be gathering in November at the Lexington campus for two days of educational lectures. Current Rood & Riddle clinicians as well as past interns who have gone on to practice in other areas of the country or the world will be sharing their expertise with each other. The subjects covered in the lectures will include current trends in ophthalmology, neurology, podiatry, orthopedics, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neonatology and theriogenology. Rood & Riddle hospital veterinary internship program was established in 1986 and our Lexington ambulatory internship program began in 1998. The Saratoga practice started its Internship progam in 2013 and the Wellington practice started its in 2017.
location with the Saratoga and Wellington practices currently hosting three interns each. Since the program began, over 300 interns have spent a year learning and training with Rood & Riddle. Rood & Riddle interns have gone onto become board certified in a wide array veterinary specialties. The list includes surgery, anesthesia and analgesia, internal medicine, sports medicine and rehabilitation, emergency critical care, veterinary practitioners, radiology, ophthalmology, theriogenology and dentistry.
The number of internships has grown over the years from one in 1986 to eight hospital interns and five ambulatory interns currently working at the Lexington www.roodandriddle.com
Rood & Riddle Welcomes Dr. Kate Christie & Dr. Lindsey Rings Dr. Kate Christie grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she developed her love of horses actively competing in the show hunter world and watching standardbred racing at the local track with her grandfather. She received her undergraduate degree in Life Sciences as well as a Masters degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where she continued her riding career and further developed a passion for veterinary medicine.
Kate Christie, DVM, DACVIM
Dr. Christie graduated from the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and went on to complete a year-long rotating hospital internship at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital (2014-2015) prior to entering a Large Animal Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Georgia. She became board-certified in large animal internal medicine in 2018 at the completion of her residency program. Dr. Christie remained at the University of Georgia as a clinical associate professor for one year and is excited to be returning to Lexington to join the Rood & Riddle internal medicine team. Her professional interests include gastrointestinal disease, infectious and non-infectious respiratory disease, and equine pharmacology. Outside of work, Dr. Christie enjoys spending as much time as possible with her retired show-jumper, Skye. When not in the saddle, she enjoys trail-running, hiking, and travelling with her husband.
On August 1, 2019, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga expanded its equine health care services by adding Dr. Lindsey Rings to the team. Dr. Rings has been able to share her expertise and provide exceptional specialty care for all equine breeds in the Saratoga area. The 32-year-old Rings aspired to be a veterinarian since she “could ride around in a car” with her mother, Marylou, a veterinarian who has a farm animal ambulatory practice and her father, Mike, also a veterinarian and an internal medicine specialist. After graduating from The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012, Rings, a Columbus, Ohio native, interned in New Jersey before completing an internship in 2014 at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Lindsey Rings, DVM
After completing the internship, Rings returned to her veterinary school alma mater and completed a three-year residency in Equine Internal Medicine while earning her Master’s degree in Comparative and Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Rings’ role at the Saratoga hospital will include working heavily with ambulatory veterinarians and other veterinary specialists, serving as a “second opinion” when everyday ailments just won’t seem to go away. “Pneumonia, colitis, gastric ulcers, sick foals” Rings listed. “These are things that can be addressed in the field but sometimes can get complicated”. “At the hospital, we’re afforded the opportunity to delve a little bit deeper into more common issues. We’re able to do a bit more.”
Sharn Wordley Saves Best For Last to Sweep $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix The feature event of the first week of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix, was held Saturday evening in the Rolex Stadium with an enthusiastic crowd excited to cheer on the field of competitors during the Kentucky Horse Park’s annual Hats Off Day. Designed by Brazil’s Marina Azeveo, the 16-effort 1.50m course asked many difficult questions including a triple combination and a triple-bar. Following a competitive eight-horse jumpoff, it was New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley and Arnoud Dobber’s Any who returned to the ring to race to the top spot. While nine horse-and-rider combinations qualified for the jump-off by jumping clear and within the comfortable time allowed set in the first round, only eight pairs returned to the
Rolex Stadium as Mexico’s Enrique Gonzalez withdrew Chacna from the competition. Wordley was the only athlete who qualified two horses for the second phase and his first mount, Rye Val De Mal earned a double clear and set the pace in 41.902 seconds. On his strategy for the jump-off: “My strategy was to go as fast as I could to try to beat them because they were really fast. That was about as fast as I could go and I was only half a second faster so I could have had a little bit better turn from one to two. I did one extra stride on the roll-back and I was very fast at the liverpool, so maybe it shot me past one extra stride, but she was phenomenally quick. Then I could actually back off at the end and jump the last two nicely. I love the horse. It’s a very exciting horse for the team.” -Annan Hepner
2019 Equine Upper Airway Symposium Veterinarians and surgery residents from across the country and around the world arrived in Lexington to attend 4 days of intense study and hands on learning. Doctors from as far away as Sweden, Austria and Colombia, and surgery residents from Swedish University, Royal Veterininary College, Kansas, UC Davis and numerous other notable colleges took advantage of this educational offering. Subjects ranged from the anatomy of the upper airway and guttural pouches to nasal passage abnormalities and laser surgery techniques. They were also able to meet with sponsors Heska, Covetrus, Boehringer Ingleheim, Patterson Veterinary, SoundVet and Keeneland. This year’s speakers included Dr. Johathan Cheetham and Dr. Norm G. Ducharme, from Cornell University, Dr. Eric J. Parente, from University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center and Dr. Justin Perkins from the Royal Veterinary College in London, England. These esteemed doctors joined our impressive home team of Dr. Rolf Embertson, Dr. Brett Woodie, Dr. Katherine Garrett and Dr. Peter Morresey. The 2019 Equine Upper Airway Symposium took place on September 19-22 on the Rood & Riddle campus.
Rood & Riddle on PBS and more! Be on the look-out for Rood & Riddle on PBS! The hospital will be featured on the show Information Matrix hosted by Lawrence Fishburne. The featurette highlights advances in equine veterinary medicine at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital! You may also find Rood & Riddle on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Animal Planet, Discovery, National Geographic, RFD TV, and TVG. www.roodandriddle.com
Drs. Woodie, Hyde and Thacker Voted Veterinarians of the Year This yearthe Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Veterinarian of the Year to a team of Rood & Riddle veterinarians and Dr. Juliann Suarez, who worked together seamlessly along with the police and fire fighters to save Yoder, a Lexington Mounted Police horse from peril. Yoder leg stepped into an uncovered utility access pipe and his shoe
Doctors Brett Woodie & Kevin Hyde Accepting Award
The rescue took over two and a half hours. The 3 veterinarians on the scene worked to keep Yoder sedated and calm, prevent injury to his eyes and other limbs, and constantly assessed his condition. Yoder was unable and unwilling to stand. He was put onto a plastic slide, slid into the police horse trailer, and taken to Rood & Riddle where Dr. Brett Woodie took over. The veterinarians rode in the trailer to insure that he didn’t try to stand since it was not known how much damage was done to the limb. The final verdict was no fractures and just a few abrasions on his legs. His legs have healed and he was back on duty in a month once he was fully recovered. While these doctors were “just doing their job”, their swift action, professional insight, calming demeanors, and veterinary skills, mitigated Yoder’s injuries and thus prevented a disaster. The entire city of Lexington would have been heart broken if Yoder had not survived.
Dr. Bonnie Barr Elected President of KVMA At the 2019 KVMA Annual Meeting and Mid-America Veterinary Conference held at The Galt House in Louisville, Ky on October 4-6, Dr. Bonnie Barr was installed as the new KVMA President. Her duties include communications and working with government agencies to help with state policies.
Rood & Riddle Captures Third in 2019 Battle in the Saddle Congratulations to this year’s Battle in the Saddle team for their third place finish! This winning team was comprised of Dr. Jamie Kaczor, Lindsay Leach, and celebrity rider Martin Schwartz. Dr. Kaczor rode her horse named Moontimes Ms Doc Bar, aka Ginger. She is a 21 year old quarter horse and that she has owned for 10 years. Dr. Kaczor mainly uses her for trail riding but brought knew she would be competitive in the penning arena. For the second straight year Lindsey rode “Baron”, an 8 year old registered Quarter Horse (Doc San Bar King). He is registered with the AQHA, ARHA, and NRHA. Lindsey and Baron have been a team for over 2 years. The two currently train with Martin Schwartz. Baron competes in American Ranch Horse Association (ARHA) events where he took home the ARHA World Championship Novice in Amateur Ranchmanship and earned multiple top ten placings including 2 Reserve Championship titles and the title of Novice Amateur High Point Champion. Baron will do anything for peppermints and typically sees Dr. Hopper or Dr. Soignier and loves rolling in the straw bedding when he is at the clinic. Our celebrity rider, Martin Schwartz, has been training horses since he was just 12 years old. He competed on Lena a 5 year-old Paint mare that he is currently campaigning. Some of his titles include being a 10-time American Ranch Horse Association World Champion and the 2018 National Top Money Earner of the American Ranch Horse Association. Martin has won the Equine Affair Versatile Horse and Rider competition Champion twice, is a 10-time American Ranch Horse Association World Champion, 2018 National Top Money Earner of the American Ranch Horse Association.
WILL CBD OIL HELP MY HORSE? by Dr. Bill Gilsenan Board Certified Internal Medicine Clinician QUESTION: What’s the deal with CBD oil? I see it marketed to horse people to deal with everything from anxiety to inflammation. DR. BILL GILSENAN: Over the last several years the conversation over the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana has become a mainstream one. It seems that awareness of CBD oil has heightened at the same time. This has led to confusion among veterinarians and horse owners alike. Marijuana and hemp are both plants that are distinct strains of the Cannabis sativa species. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that creates the “high” that users experience when they consume the plant. The distinction needs to be made, though, that cannabis plants contain many other compounds, including more than 100 cannabinoids. One of the most abundant cannabinoids is cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is not psychoactive. Hemp contains minimal concentrations of THC but contains high concentrations of CBD. CBD oil can be extracted from hemp and marijuana plants in a way such that THC is either absent from the product or is so scarce that is either absent from the product or is so scarce that it would be nearly impossible to appreciate any of its psychoactive effects. Individual studies have been published over the past ten years that have investigated the benefits of CBD oil, primarily in people and in laboratory animals. A study in children with post-traumatic stress disorder indicated that CBD oil might be helpful in addressing insomnia and anxiety. Another publication demonstrated the benefit of CBD oil in mitigating the anxiety and discomfort associated with public speaking. Studies in non-human models have suggested that CBD oil may slow the neurodegeneration that occurs in people with Alzheimer’s disease. There is published evidence that CBD oil might also be of use in the treatment of pain, acne, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and hypertension. Needless to say, CBD oil appears to be helpful for a wide variety of ailments, but the exact mechanisms by which it confers benefits are not completely elucidated. Importantly, Epidiolex ® is a CBD oil product that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018 for the treatment of two rare and severe forms of epilepsy. Medications undergo extensive scrutiny prior to FDA approval, so while there is much to learn about this compound, the evidence associated with the potential benefits of CBD oil should not be readily dismissed. As happens with many new medications, interest in potential uses for CBD oil in veterinary medicine have rapidly developed. A recent study from Colorado State University demonstrated that epileptic dogs treated with CBD oil had a decreased frequency of seizures. A quick search of the Internet is all that is needed to learn of the purported effects of CBD oil on horses with respect to anxiety, pain, coat health, appetite, nausea, headshaking, epilepsy, and cancer. The breadth of benefits of CBD oil for people probably does suggest that this compound is versatile. Yet CBD oil is still surrounded by a lot of information that we have yet to discover. Any evidence of benefit from CBD oil in horses at this stage is anecdotal, even though anecdotal accounts generally seem to be neutral to positive. The use of it might seem safe, but little is truly known about this or its long-term effects.
Bill Gilsenan, VMD, DACVIM
“Needless to say, CBD oil appears to be helpful for a wide variety of ailments, but the exact mechanisms by which it confers benefits are not completely elucidated.”
“with a wide variety of available products at this point in time, it is difficult to make an informed decision on which CBD product to use on a horse. Without an FDA-approved product in horses, there is no regulatory oversight on the content or safety of CBD products available.”
Notably, different compounds can react very differently in different species. We know very little about how to appropriately dose horses with CBD oil. Moreover, with a wide variety of available products at this point in time, it is difficult to make an informed decision on which CBD product to use on a horse. Without an FDA-approved product in horses, there is no regulatory oversight on the content or safety of CBD products available. CBD oil has come on to the scene recently and might be an interesting addition to the armament of compounds we can use to help horses. While seemingly benign, the horse owner needs to use any of these products with caution, if at all. CBD oil products can be and have been readily marketed across the Internet and social media. The benefits of this compound likely exist, but there is a lot we have yet to learn. For this reason, cannabinoid products, including CBD oil, are prohibited by the USEF and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. With time, our understanding of CBD oil and its use in horses will certainly evolve. However, it is difficult to recommend the widespread use of it in horses just yet.
Reprinted with permission of the
Dr. Bill Gilsenan received his veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008. Following an internship at Colorado State University, he completed a residency in large animal internal medicine at the New Bolton Center—University of Pennsylvania. He held a faculty position at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine until joining the staff at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital as an internal medicine specialist in 2015. www.roodandriddle.com
IS IT EPM–OR SOMETHING ELSE? by Dr. Stephen Reed Board Certified Internal Medicine Clinician QUESTION: My horse has mild, intermittent hind-end lameness. What are the chances it’s EPM? DR. STEVE REED : The clinical signs associated with S. neurona infection vary from acute to chronic with insidious onset of focal or multifocal signs of neurologic disease involving the brain, brainstem, or spinal cord. The variable nature of the clinical signs reflects the random distribution of the lesions that may occur within the CNS and many times horses will present for lameness which is difficult to localize but often involves one thoracic or pelvic limb. Signs include focal muscle atrophy and weakness which with variable amount of ataxia, which is what makes separation of this problem from a lameness difficult. In some horses the physical examination is within normal limits, and the horse appears bright and alert, although one may observe muscle atrophy in concentrated areas. Neurologic examination typically reveals asymmetric ataxia, weakness, and spasticity involving all four limbs. Some horses show signs of brain or brainstem involvement making those horses easier to diagnose. Having said that, many race and show horses present for abnormal airway function or an unusual lameness. Horses with a slowly progressive ataxia may sometimes present because of stumbling or interference between limbs and may well have a musculoskeletal disorder and often require diagnostic nerve blocks along with the neuro exam to confirm the diagnosis. As part of the separation for lameness versus ataxia caused by EPM, a lameness exam should accompany the neurologic exam. Depending on the results of those examinations radiographs, a spinal tap as well as diagnostic nerve blocks may be necessary. In my opinion the most important aid is immunodiagnostic testing of serum and CSF to confirm intrathecal antibody production against S. neurona or N. hughesi. A negative serum test usually indicates that the horse has not been infected, however, a recently infected horse may display clinical signs before seroconversion, and retesting in 10 to 14 days is recommended. A whole organism indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) is currently available from the University of California Diagnostic Laboratory. Another useful test is the SnSAG ELISAs, quantitative tests based on S. neurona surface antigens, have been evaluated as a diagnostic tool. Given the variety of clinical abnormalities that may be expressed in horses with EPM, the differential diagnosis includes virtually all diseases of the equine CNS as well as some causes of lameness. Results of a careful history, physical examination, and neuroanatomic localization help to limit the number of rule outs and guide further diagnostic efforts.
Stephen Reed DVM, DACVIM
“Neurologic examination typically reveals asymmetric ataxia, weakness, and spasticity involving all four limbs. Some horses show signs of brain or brainstem involvement making those horses easier to diagnose.
In my opinion the most important aid is immunodiagnostic testing of serum and CSF to confirm intrathecal antibody production against S. neurona or N. hughesi.
Treatment of horses for EPM begins with antiprotozoal medication. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved compounds for the treatment of EPM include sulfonamide drugs combined with pyrimethamine, marketed as an FDA approved product Re-Balance (PRN Pharmacal). Another FDA-approved drug for the treatment of EPM was ponazuril (Marquis, Boehringer-Ingelheim) administered as an oral paste. Diclazuril is a third FDA approved medication sold as Protazil.
Dr. Reed is currently an Internal Medicine Specialist and shareholder of the Practice at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Emeritus Professor of The Ohio State University, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Kentucky and is currently the Chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Advisory Committee. He is world renowned for his expertise in internal medicine and neurological disorders.
Reprinted with permission of the
www.roodandriddle.com
Yoder and Cyklon 1083 chosen as 2019 Rood & Riddle Comeback Award Recipients This year the Rood & Riddle Comeback Award was given to two outstanding horses. This award is presented to a horse who has performed at the highest levels of competition or service, faced a medical/ surgical issue, received veterinary care by a Rood & Riddle veterinarian, and subsequently returned to compete at his/her previous performance level. Both Yoder and Cyklon 1083 faced severe medical challenges, made a full recovery and continued on with their duties and competitions.
Yoder
Cykon 1083
This year’s first winner is Yoder, a seventeen year old Appendix Quarter Horse/Belgian cross, who has served as a Lexington Mounted Police horse for two years. Yoder was injured in the line of duty in December 2018, when he and his rider, Officer Shawn Davis, were on their way to the Christmas parade in downtown Lexington, Ky. Yoder’s rear left leg got trapped in a pipe after he stepped into an uncovered utility hole in the road. His shoe had become caught in a pipe inside the utility hole. Doctors Kevin Hyde and Colton Thacker and fire officials worked for more than an hour trying to free him. After arriving at the hospital, Dr. Brett Woodie was Yoder’s treating veterinarian. Thanks to the great care he received, Yoder is now back in service (including working the 2019 Kentucky Derby.) Our second recipient, Cyklon 1083, is an 18 yr old Swedish Warmblood stallion, owned by Spy Coast Farm, who was ridden on the international show jumping circuit by Team Ireland rider, Shane Sweetnam. In 2015, Cyklon underwent colic surgery and emergency surgery for guttural pouch mycosis while in Belgium for competition. Once arriving home to Spy Coast Farm several months later, it was discovered that the guttural pouch surgery had resulted in nerve damage to his airway, which Dr. Rolf Embertson of Rood and Riddle was able to correct and Cyklon was able to successfully return to competition. In 2017 Cyklon again underwent colic surgery, this time at Rood and Riddle by Dr. Scott Hopper, and once more was able to successfully return to international competition. Cyklon retired to stud in 2019 with career wins spanning across 10 different countries, 99 top placings, and 30 wins internationally. He resides next door at Spy Coast Farm where he is enjoying the relaxed pace of a breeding stallion and saying hello to tour guests when they stop by the stallion barn. “We are pleased to present the 2019 Rood & Riddle Comeback Award to both Yoder and Cyklon 1083. They exemplify the characteristics of an outstanding horse who suffered a major health issue, returned to service and competition and continued their outstanding careers.” said Dr. Tom Riddle.
Archie Rocks named 2018 Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year This quick and handy eventer was bred in Michigan by Sharon Smith. Archie Rocks, whose registered name is Smittys Messiah (LE MONDE – UNBRIDLED DIVA, BY UNBRIDLED JET), raced thirty times and left the track with three wins. Maya Simmons, always on the lookout for a talented thoroughbred, worked with agent Chris Tally and purchased the bay gelding from Lindsay and Connor Langan as an eventing prospect. Simmons actively finds OTTB to train and compete as 3-day-eventers. Once she got the beautiful bay home, she rechristened him, Archie Rocks, in honor of her father, Archie. Described as having a cheeky and sweet personality, Archie Rocks, swiftly took to the eventing life. With only eighteen months of training, he was ready to tackle his first two star competition where he finished sixth.
Archie Rocks
As he continued in his new career he has continued to increase his speed and his confidence. “He loves cross country and is fast.” says Simmons, “He is nearly always the fastest in his divisions.” Some of his notable highlights in three star events include winning the Plantation Field, third in both the Fair Hill and Chattahoochee Hills, and finishing eighth in the Jersey Fresh. Archie has left a big impression on the people he has had in his life. Simmons has kept in contact with his former owners who follow him in his new career. Simmons goes onto say “One of the most wonderful things about Archie is how his previous owners cheer him from afar.” With the mounting responsibilities as a mother of twins, Simmons recently sold Archie to Swiss Rider Felix Fogg. The next step for Archie is competing in the European Championships. When asked about Archie’s next adventure Simmons replies “to compete at this level is quite a feat for an American off the track thoroughbred. I can’t wait to cheer him on.”
Rood & Riddle in Wellington Rood & Riddle in Wellington has been busy over the summer with renovations to the hospital. Some of the improvements include adding 4 stalls and a treatment room/nurses station on to an existing barn. The creation of a new intern office and a new lounge area that allows externs and visitors a nice place to stay while they are visiting. We are very excited about our improvements and are looking forward to a busy winter season.
Rood & Riddle in Saratoga On Wednesday, August 21, Rood & Riddle in Saratoga hosted its second client appreciation “Backyard Barbeque”. Even the inclement weather couldn’t damen the fun or the turnout. The event was supported by Zoetis, Patterson Veterinary, Franklin Williams, PiSA Biopharm and Kinetic Vet. The evening included not only amazing food and drink, but also hospital tours and a lively, fun band!
We are Making It Official! Breeders’ Cup
For the fifth year Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy has been named the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy of the Breeder’s Cup Thoroughbred World Championships. Rood & Riddle is also delighted to once again serve as Title Sponsor of the Breeders’ Cup Post-Position Draw which will take place on Monday, October 28th trackside at the Breakfast Marquee at Santa Anita Park. This all-important event is a fun and exciting way to celebrate the beginning of Breeders’ Cup week. National Horse Show
Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy are serving as the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy of the National Horse Show for an unprecedented ninth year. This event, which takes place this year on Oct 26 - Nov 3, has served for many in the hunter jumper and equitation world, as the highlight of the year’s shows. For the last nine years, the National Horse Show has taken place at the beautiful Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park In Lexington, Kentucky.
Rood & Riddle Adds Three New Shareholders Rood & Riddle is proud to announce our newest shareholders to the practice. Dr. Jose Bras, a surgeon at our Wellington facility, Dr. Kevin Hyde, a Lexington ambulatory practitioner and Dr. Etta Bradecamp, a Lexington based theriogenologist.
Jose Bras,
Kevin Hyde,
Etta Bradecamp,
DVM, MS, DACVS
DVM
DVM, DACT, DABVP www.roodandriddle.com