SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Monday, November 06 2017 / Published in General

Vet Talk with Dr. Richard Wheeler

Richard Wheeler, DVM, was born in the U.K. and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2002. Dr. Wheeler then completed a two-year internship at Greenwood, Ellis and Partners (now Newmarket Equine Hospital) in Newmarket. In 2005, he moved to Wellington, Florida, to join Palm Beach Equine Clinic and he became a partner in 2009. Dr. Wheeler’s primary concentration is equine sports medicine. He is an FEI Veterinary Delegate for Show Jumping and Dressage and has authored several published articles on the topic of equine sports medicine. Dr. Wheeler has served on the board of the USHJA Horse and Rider Advocates Committee. In 2016, Dr. Wheeler became a founding director of the Sport Horse Research Foundation. Dr. Wheeler and his wife, Jessica, have two children. Do you have a question you want Dr. Wheeler to answer? Send questions to editor@sidelinesnews.com.

A lot of my friends have used bone scan, MRIs and other modern methods of diagnosing lameness. What are the differences between these? Why would I choose to do this over just radiographs or ultrasound?

Once we’ve localized lameness to a specific area of the limb, we use imaging modalities to diagnose what specific structures are injured and the nature of the injury. As technology advances, so do diagnostic imaging modalities. Radiography and ultrasonography have been around for several decades; more recently, nuclear scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) have become available in equine practice. At Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) we’ve had nuclear scintigraphy and MRI for several years and both can be performed without the need for general anesthesia. We’re very excited to be installing an equine CT soon, which will be able to image the horse’s head and neck standing, without the need for general anesthesia.

Radiographs and ultrasounds remain a good way to initially work up a lameness case. These techniques are very quick and can be done at the farm to attempt to identify a problem. However, they can be limited. It can take several weeks for fractures to appear in radiographs, and ‘bone bruises’ are not visible. Ultrasound, though useful, cannot always visualize the full extent of complex soft-tissue injuries. Sometimes a lameness precedes changes in these two modalities, and we must move to more advanced imaging techniques to gain a specific diagnosis and begin treatment earlier.

A ‘bone scan’, or nuclear scintigraphy, involves an intravenous injection of a radioactive isotope, which attaches to sites of bone remodeling, allowing us to find an injury. This is the modality of choice for diagnosis of stress fractures and evaluating injuries to the axial skeleton (neck, back and pelvis). This can also be used to confirm if an abnormality on radiographs is “active” or an old injury.

MRI is a complex modality giving slice-by-slice images of great detail. MRI is very useful for evaluation of complex bone and soft tissue structures, although it’s generally limited to the distal limbs.
CT uses technology similar to digital radiography in the production and detection of radiation (x-rays). However, this gives a 3D image of exceptional detail. CT is good for evaluation of bony structures and can be of great use in the detection of subtle bone diseases such as subchondral bone injury, stress fractures and bone cysts. It’s also very useful for sinuses and to evaluate the health of the tooth roots. It’s commonly used in the assessment of complex fractures prior to surgery. I’m very excited with the potential use of CT in the evaluation of neck problems in the standing horse and believe this will be a significant step forward for equine sports medicine.

As important as the technology, equally as important is having the expertise on hand to interpret the images. As the technology has advanced, so has the field of veterinary radiology. Dr. Sarah Puchalski works with us at PBEC and is also a founding director of the Sport Horse Research Foundation.

My horse hurt one of his tendons recently and my veterinarian mentioned the use of regenerative therapies. What are these therapies and how can they help over just rest?

Regenerative therapies are an exciting area of equine medicine that has developed rapidly over the last few years. This encompasses therapies that use natural cells and chemicals to encourage the horse’s tissues to heal. These treatments can be used to treat some of the more challenging musculoskeletal injuries in the sport horse such as tendon and ligament injury and osteoarthritis. Many of these therapies are “autologous” meaning they use tissue from the patient and therefore are unlikely to produce an immune reaction.

One of these therapies is Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP. Platelets circulate in the bloodstream along with red and white blood cells. They play a vital role in blood clotting and, during normal healing, they promote tissue repair and regulate inflammation. PRP can be harvested by taking a sample of the horse’s blood and spinning it down so there’s a concentrated portion of plasma containing mainly platelets. This can then be injected into a tendon or ligament, as well as a joint that has acute inflammation. We’ve found this treatment can increase the quality of healing.

Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP) is a therapy that blocks a pro-inflammatory protein (called a cytokine), interleukin-1. It is produced by taking a sample of the horse’s blood into a syringe containing glass beads and incubating it over a 24-hour period at body temperature. White blood cells within the blood recognize the glass beads as foreign material and produce anti-inflammatory protein or IRAP. The blood cells are then separated from the serum concentrated with IRAP. This therapy has the benefit of producing multiple doses with one blood draw, which decreases the cost of recurrent treatments. IRAP is used to manage osteoarthritis and inflammation in joints, especially with horses that require repeated treatments.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and are able to produce specialized types of cells. This means if put in a tendon, stem cells should differentiate into tendon cells. Stem cells are harvested from fat or bone marrow and also provide the “building blocks” to repair damaged tissue. The process involves harvesting cells, then concentrating and propagating them in order to deliver them to the area of injury. The goal of this treatment is to provide higher numbers of cells than the body would normally provide, which results in better-quality healing. Recently, allogeneic stem cells have been reproduced, which allow cells from a donor horse to be used in other horses.
I was training a client when I noticed that her horse was making a “loud whisper sound” or roaring. It could be damaged muscles around the horse’s larynx but how can we be sure? Are there any remedies to this? How can this be prevented?

There are several potential causes for the noise you are hearing and the first step I would recommend is to have your veterinarian examine the horse, both at rest and under saddle. If your suspicions are correct, the horse is likely suffering from left recurrent laryngeal hemiplegia (roaring). This condition involves the loss of nerve fibers, resulting in muscle atrophy and subsequent paralysis of the left side of the larynx. Prevention is unlikely as we believe the condition to be heritable, although it’s been associated with perivascular injection. Diagnosis is initiated with a characteristic inspiratory noise and usually confirmed with endoscopy (a camera inserted up the horse’s nose to visualize the larynx). More recently, we’ve used “dynamic endoscopy,” meaning the video can be viewed remotely while the horse is exercising, and even jumping. This has increased our knowledge significantly, as sometimes the situation in the resting and exercising horse is very different. Once you have a specific diagnosis, treatment options will become available. The main determining factors will be the severity of the condition and concurrent exercise intolerance coupled with the horse’s discipline and level. For example, many show-jumping horses can perform well and to a high level with some degree of paralysis; however, even mild paralysis may be performance limiting in a racehorse, upper-level eventer or high goal polo pony. If necessary, the treatment of choice is surgery. Several techniques are available and I’ve seen many successful surgical outcomes.

 

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: Dr. Richard Wheeler, q&a, vet

What you can read next

London 2012 Olympic Games – Jumping Preview
Olympic Sidelines – Dressage Invades the Stadium!
Alison Finger and Tuvalu Earn the Adult Amateur Jumper Championship at Lake Placid

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Hello April!!! 🌻🌷 This month's edition of Si Hello April!!! 🌻🌷
This month's edition of Sidelines is our eventing edition and it will not disappoint! Of the many things happening this month one of the most exciting things coming up is Sidelines will be at The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event held in Lexington KY 🤩

This month's issue of Sidelines features the beautiful and talented Liz Halliday-Sharp and her never-give-up attitude!!

Of the many lessons that Elisabeth “Liz” Halliday-Sharp learned from her father, resilience was perhaps the most important. Liz’s innate ability to overcome adversity has served her well in her quest to become one of the top event riders in the world. Through the highs and lows of a career with horses, Liz’s “can do” attitude has helped propel her through both triumph and defeat. 

Liz, who has won more events globally during the past three years than any other rider in her discipline, continues to set records—with her sights set firmly on the 2024 Olympic Games.

This is truly a can't miss article! Read more in the link in our bio! 

Never miss a moment with Sidelines by following all our social media and subscribing to get your own edition of Sidelines, the magazine for horse people about horse people 🦄

📸Portraits by Melissa Fuller

#olympics #tokyo #sports #tokyoolympics #sport #india #olympicgames #athlete #olympic #figureskating #athletics #horses #fitness  #training #usa #goldmedal  #motivation #athletes #teamusa #skating  #champion #love #sidelinesmagazine
Sports Psychology column🐎 By Margie Sugarman I Sports Psychology column🐎
By Margie Sugarman

I just bought a new horse. I think he’s amazing, but I miss the feeling of just “clicking” with my old horse. I know that it takes time to grow that connection, but do you have any tips that can help me be confident and in tune with my new horse in the short term?

You kick off your sneakers and realize that there’s a big hole in the sole of one shoe. Well, you’ve had them for quite a while and have worn them everywhere, from hiking to riding. They’ve served you well but it’s time for new ones. (It’s time to move on to a new horse.) You turn on your computer and order a new pair. You wait in anticipation. You’re excited, they’re cool looking. (He’s pretty!)

Upon arrival, you quickly open the box and slip your feet in. They’re great sneakers, but they aren’t as comfortable as the pair they’re replacing. They don’t bend as well—the sole is stiff. They don’t feel as comfortable—they have to be broken in. They don’t fit like the others did—the old ones were so well molded to your feet. (He’s a new ride, a different ride. He needs some suppling work.)

Of utmost importance in the human/horse relationship (especially the ones with the strongest bonds) is the horse looking to their owner as the leader and respecting their personal space. This important dynamic comes from groundwork—no matter what discipline you’re involved in. Just as it is with friendships, there needs to be respect. Respect is developed when one is on the ground and not mounted.

The things you do might seem small, but if done consistently and in a positive way, the results are huge. The confidence and trust you develop between the two of you will carry your relationship to wherever you want it to go.

To read Margies full column click the link in our bio! Never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄

Photo by Ali Kelman

#psychology #mentalhealth #love #therapy #mentalhealthawareness #anxiety #motivation #psychologist #selfcare #mindfulness #selflove #life #mentalhealthmatters  #mindset #wellness #meditation #inspiration #mind #Sidelinesmagazine
Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! W Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.
 
Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.
 
Kaiman (Dark Pleasure x Gribaldi) earned high scores at his stallion testing and in the young horse classes. He's also the sire of a Licensed Oldenburg stallion. Kaiman's first North American foal crop is arriving now and they are gorgeous!
 
If you're looking for top international bloodlines please check out our 2023 stallion collection, now available fresh, frozen, and by the dose.

Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.

Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.

https://www.ironspringfarm.com/biolink/

@iron_spring_farm 

#stallion #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equine #dressage #pferd #equestrianlife #mare #hengst #horseriding #instahorse #cheval #pferde #equinephotography #horselove #dressagehorse #pony #horselover #caballo #foal #quarterhorse #aqha #arabianhorse #showjumping #photography #caballos #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
❗️George Williams column❗️ The FEI World ❗️George Williams column❗️
The FEI World Cup Final in Omaha is coming up quickly. That means that it’s starting to heat 
up as the end of the qualifying period for both the Western European League (WEL) and the 
North American League (NAL) nears. I started to write this column before the Amsterdam CDI- W, and I was using the FEI Ranking List from January 15 as a reference. As I sit down to finish 
my column, I’m now looking at the results from Amsterdam. While the list of the top contenders 
for the WEL hasn’t changed, they’re definitely moving around on the ranking list. The WEL has 
three more legs, as they’re referred to: Neumünster February 16–19, Goteborg February 23–26, 
and ’s-Hertogenbosch March 9–12, and they could change things dramatically.
Looking at the top 12 athletes from the WEL as they were ranked on January 15, there are five 
from Germany, three from the Netherlands and one each from Great Britain, Denmark

➡️Read Georges's full column by clicking the link in our bio, and never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄 

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • BED & BARN FARMS
    Lodging/Overnight Stabling Forest City, NC/Tryon Area 828-248-4463 www.bedandbarnnc.com

    [Read more]

  • Hanoverian Stallion - Louisville HTF
    Louisville HTF (Lord Leatherdale-Negro-Fruhling) 2017 Hanoverian Stallion 16.2 Hands Owner/Breeder: Hilltop Farm, Inc. Approved Registries: Licensed AHS, ARS, & ISR/Oldenburg Breeding Fee: $1,300 1-Year or $675/dose, cooled or frozen semen EVA Status: Negative, vaccinated annually WFFS Status: N/N Negative Video link: About: The Lord Leatherdale-Negro cross has proven an exceptional nick and we are proud to offer Louisville as the next representative of this successful combination.

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • 2023 Upperville Colt & Horse Show Presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Returns for 170th Year on June 5-11
  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!