Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 20th February 2018
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

New method improves racehorse welfare after tendon injury
“Ultrasound is a quick and easy method of assessing tendon injuries, widely available across veterinary practices."
System uses ultrasound to help vets make informed choices

Experts have developed a new technique that could significantly improve racehorse welfare, by helping vets and trainers to make informed and early choices after a tendon injury.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham, Oakham Equine Hospital and the Hong Kong Jockey Club created a scoring system to grade tendon injuries when they first occur.

This was used in a large cohort study to determine which ultrasound features predict whether or not horses can successfully race again after rehabilitation.

The predictive model suggests that clinicians should focus on two main characteristics of the tendon injury - the cross-sectional area of the lesion and the extent of disruption to the normally high-ordered pattern of tendon fibres. Both of these are easily accessed through ultrasound at the first presentation.

“Ultrasound is a quick and easy method of assessing tendon injuries, widely available across veterinary practices,” said Dr Rafael Alzola, equine surgery resident at Nottingham University and Oakham Veterinary Hospital. “The scoring system makes evidence-based decision making on long term outcomes feasible and accessible to equine veterinary practitioners.”

In the UK, around 14,000 horses are currently training, but not all will compete on the country’s 60 racecourses. Of those that do, a relatively small percentage will suffer a tendon injury and a high proportion of these will no longer be fit to race.

The three ‘Equine R’s’ are the standard treatment for tendon injuries in racehorses. They comprise; Rest (until able to race again), Rehabilitation (towards an alternative career) or Retirement.

Professor Chris Riggs, head vet at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Decisions on future careers for racehorses have to be carefully considered by the horse’s owner, trainer and vet, working together.

“This study is important from a welfare perspective, as it provides the information to help them make decisions which are best for the horse’s long term welfare, as soon as the injury occurs.”

Researchers have worked with ultrasound company BCF Technology to develop an app, Visits ToDo, which is based on the scoring system and allows vets to record animal health and diagnostics in the field.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

RCVS Knowledge appoints Veterinary Evidence editor-in-chief

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence.

A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.

Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development." 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CVS Group hit by cyber attack

CVS Group, which owns more than 450 veterinary practices in the UK, has been hit by a cyber attack.

In a statement, the group said the incident involved unauthorised external access to a limited number of its IT systems. As soon as the attack was discovered, the group took its IT systems temporarily offline, causing 'considerable operational disruption'.

It has warned that the security steps taken and ongoing plans to move its operational systems and IT infrastructure to the Cloud are likely to have an ongoing impact over a number of weeks.

Due to the risk that personal information was accessed, CVS has informed the Information Commissioner's Office. The company is working with third party consultants to investigate the incident.