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Study brings fresh hope to horses with tendon injuries
Tendon injuries are the leading cause of retirement in horses.
Research by the AHT may lead to new treatments for this common problem

Embryonic stem cells may give horses with tendon injuries a greater chance of recovery, according to new research.

The study, published in the journal Nature, used a laboratory model to show that adult tendon cells cannot produce ‘artificial tendons’ when exposed to inflammation.

Conversely, researchers found that embryonic stem cells that were directed to turn into tendon cells behaved as normal when exposed to inflammation.

The study was led by the Animal Health Trust and funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, Racing Foundation, Alice Noakes Memorial Charitable Trust and Beryl Evetts and Robert Luff Animal Welfare Trust.

“We were able to demonstrate that these tendon cells express different levels of receptors for inflammatory proteins on their surface,” explained Dr Debbie Guest, head of stem cell research at the AHT.

“This means that these stem cells may provide a useful source of cells for clinical transplantation into the injured tendon as they are unlikely to suffer any negative effects from being placed into an inflamed environment.”

Tendon injuries are the leading cause of retirement in horses. The early stages of tendon injury are usually accompanied by a significant increase in tissue inflammation, which is likely to contribute to poor tissue regeneration.

The AHT has secured funding for a follow-up study and the team are hopeful that new treatments for this common problem may soon be developed. 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.