Evidence-informed (also referred to as evidence-based) veterinary medicine is the concept of applying scientific evidence to the treatment of animals in our care. The concept was borrowed from human medicine in the early 2000s and has since generated considerable discussion, as well as inclusion in the curriculum of many veterinary schools. The idea of using […] Read more
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Informed veterinary medicine requires support for science
Osteochondrosis big cause of lameness in young animals
Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the joints of young horses, pigs and dogs. In a normal, healthy joint, a thick layer of cartilage lines the joint surface, allowing smooth movement for the ends of bones to glide past each another. A thick layer of bone is normally located immediately below this joint cartilage. The […] Read more
Lung defences needed for respiratory disease prevention
The respiratory system in animals serves a vital function — without the ability to breath, animals will succumb within minutes. Clean air with oxygen is breathed in through the nostrils and transported down the trachea and through the tree-like branches, where it enters the lungs. Here, oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide, refreshing the blood […] Read more
Vet students learn about ecosystem influences on health
Veterinary students spend most of their final year in veterinary programs refining and practicing clinical skills. For cattle, this might entail working on pregnancy checking, perfecting bull testing, designing herd health programs and optimizing parasite control. In a variety of species, vet students practice surgical and anesthesia skills. But each year, a small group of […] Read more
Head shaking in horses remains a treatment challenge for owners
Horses will occasionally give their head a shake for normal reasons. A flick of the neck can dislodge flies. The occasional shake can indicate discomfort from bits and other tack. A head and neck roll may be a body language expression to other horses. But a small number of horses experience shaking to a pathological […] Read more
Copper deficiency common in Western Canadian cattle
If you’ve ever seen black cows with a tinge of red hair, you may have witnessed a case of copper deficiency. This trace mineral is deficient in the diets of many cattle in Western Canada and is a fairly common condition. As a trace mineral, copper is important for a variety of essential functions in […] Read more
Cribbing in horses is considered challenging behaviour for owners
Cribbing is one of the most common vices horses can have. Also known as crib-biting, it is frequent, repetitive action that animals engage in with no apparent function. When a horse cribs, it grasps a flat surface with its front incisor teeth, arches its neck and gulps air, creating a grunt. The cause is unknown, […] Read more
Vitamin E deficiency common in prairie livestock
Throughout the body, vitamins serve crucial functions to maintain cells in a state of health. Perhaps unimaginatively named for the letters of the alphabet, the vitamins are A, B, C, D and E. Vitamin K breaks the order but is no less important. A recent conversation with a fellow veterinarian led me to review the […] Read more
Pneumonia in horses can compromise athletic ability
Through evolution, horses have developed a tremendous capacity for running at sustained, high speeds. To meet these athletic demands, horses have remarkably large lungs and heart. Those organs must be healthy. With each heartbeat, blood courses through the lungs, exhausting carbon dioxide and refreshing its oxygen load before travelling around the blood vessels to oxygenate […] Read more
Connections explored between brains and sleep
As a veterinary pathologist, I hold the brains of animals in my hands almost every week. A cat brain fits comfortably in the palm of my hand, while the brain of a 1,000 pound feedlot steer needs a two-handed grip. Removing a brain involves opening the skull and then carefully severing the 12 pairs of […] Read more
