ALBERT Einstein once said: “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”

From November 12-14th in Kilkenny, equine veterinary surgeons from all over Ireland gathered at the annual Veterinary Ireland Equine Conference, to further their knowledge and stay abreast of recent advances in veterinary medicine and surgery.

After a practical session in the beautiful surrounds of Ballylinch Stud on the Thursday, Jim Bolger welcomed the attendees to the main session held in the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday morning. In his address, he outlined the important role that his vet plays in the day to day operation of his racing establishment.

MAIN TOPICS

Mare reproduction and upper airway investigations were the main topics at this year’s conference and both subjects were examined in a clear and practical way.

Dr Karen Wolfsdorf of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, discussed new treatments for endometritis in the mare. One scenario highlighted was that of barren mares that have clean swabs and have no obvious problems such as urine pooling or poor conformation.

Dr Wolfsdorf explained that many of these mares have a deep seeded Streptococcal uterine infection. A new product called bActivate is now available to treat this condition. Anja Rosenbrock, in a subsequent lecture, presented interim findings of a study that she is carrying out on mares in Ireland using bActivate which is yielding very positive results.

SINUS DISEASE

Upper respiratory tract surgery and sinus disease were covered in lectures given by Safia Barakzai of Chine House Equine Clinic in West Sussex. Prognosis for performance after surgery and reasons for surgical failure were discussed. With thoroughbred sales being an important subject on everyone’s mind at this time of year, practical presentations on yearling radiography by Jeremiah O’Sullivan and wind examination at the sales by Hugh Suffern were well received.

David Stack, surgical resident at UCD’s College of Veterinary Medicine, gave a `how to’ presentation on ultrasound of the larynx. In his lecture, Stack reported that ultrasound is an effective modality for evaluating neurogenic muscle atrophy. Atrophied muscle tends to increase in echogenicity due to alterations of muscle tissue composition and physiology.

Current reports indicate that laryngeal ultrasound can predict quite accurately the results of exercise endoscopy for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy that contributes to a horse being “wrong of its wind”. This modality is something that can be added to veterinarian’s examination of the wind. In many cases, exercise endoscopy is not available or is cost prohibitive, however ultrasound is commonly available in ambulatory practice.

OSBORNE LECTURE

A highlight at this year’s conference was the Michael Osborne Memorial lecture that was most eloquently delivered by Meta Osborne. Meta gave a fascinating account of her father’s life and his many accomplishments. She described her own career as one in which she has worn many hats. Not only has she been kept busy with stud work, but Meta has found time to raise four children, be president of the Veterinary Council, chair of the Equine Committee of the Irish Veterinary Association (now Veterinary Ireland) and serve as a dedicated turf club steward. By way of introduction, Don Collins, revealed that Meta is the first woman to be appointed Senior Steward in any racing jurisdiction around the world.

SHARE IDEAS

An important part of any conference is the coming together of colleagues to share ideas and catch up with friends and acquaintances. After business was done many of the vets gathered for the annual conference dinner at Anocht Restaurant in the Kilkenny Design Centre. The Lyrath Estate Hotel once again proved to be a fine venue for this year’s conference.

The success of the conference was also due to the generous support of the many sponsors and trade stands. The equine committee of Veterinary Ireland would like to thank everyone who helped to make this year’s conference a success and we look forward to coming together in 2016.

WITH the Irish bloodstock industry supporting in the region of 14,000 Irish jobs, the support provided by veterinary surgeons to the sector is becoming increasingly important.

Jim Bolger

“I was very fortunate to grow up on a mixed farm in Wexford and so made the acquaintance of some very wise and talented vets at a very young age, as World War II was coming to an end. I got some very good advice from them which I cherish to this day.

“Later in life I used the services of some wonderful and talented vets with whom I shared many highlights and the occasional low in my career.

“I could not be more complimentary to them and to their profession.’’

DENIS HEALy Denis Healy, veterinary inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said that the thoroughbred racing industry is worth in excess of €1 billion to the Irish economy, with the sports horse element contributing a further €0.75 billion.

“Ireland’s reputation for breeding thoroughbred racehorses is renowned worldwide and results in substantial foreign direct investment into the country. The sale and export of thoroughbred horses for racing or of sports horses for eventing, show jumping or leisure purposes is a significant source of revenue.’’ Healy delivered a presentation on ‘Working together to protect the international reputation of the Irish equine Industry and the Irish veterinary profession’.

He said that investors need to be assured that at all stages of production that the usage of medicines is in accordance with national law as the “authorisation process’’ guarantees the quality, safety and efficacy of each medicine for the animal being treated and also for the general public where horses are slaughtered for human consumption.

Healy said that there is no place for the use of illegal medicines or performance enhancing drugs or hormones in the industry and highlighted the importance for vets and for persons in charge of horses of maintaining purchase and sales records for veterinary medicines.

“A close working relationship between equine veterinarians and the horse industry in general, with the various sections of the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, can help to protect and enhance the reputation of the Irish equine Industry well into the future.’’

Rosalinda Devereux MRCVS is the chair of the Equine Conference Committee of Veterinary Ireland from the Wexford Equine Veterinary Practice, Bridgetown, Co Wexford