Large Animal Clinic

Roundup

September/October 2024

Rescued Donkey Overcomes Muscular Disorder

Brought on by Vitamin Deficiency

Champ, a 5-year-old gelding donkey, is one of nearly 200 animals at Oscar’s Place Adoption Center & Sanctuary, a ranch in Hopland, California that saves donkeys from slaughter, abuse, and other inhospitable environments. When he arrived at UC Davis, Champ had hypersalivation, weakness, and decreased gut sounds. He was unable to grasp, chew, or swallow any type of food. After multiple tests including bloodwork, ultrasound, and a muscle biopsy, it was revealed that Champ had masseter myodegeneration brought on by selenium deficiency. The Equine Internal Medicine Service improved Champs’ condition with medical management and supportive therapy, and after several days in the Intensive Care Unit, Champ’s muscle inflammation was under control. After discharge, Champ was adopted along with two other donkeys with whom he bonded.

Equine Reproduction Service Highlighted

Dr. Pouya Dini from the Equine Reproduction Service was the guest on the latest episode of our “Minute With Mark” video series hosted by Dr. Mark Stetter, dean of the school. The two-part feature quickly showcases the service and its offerings. Part One (sperm collection) discusses the collection process from a stallion. Part Two (sperm injection) features advanced techniques for horse breeding, starting with frozen semen and carefully fertilizing eggs in the lab. In collaboration with the school’s Veterinary Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, the service offers intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technology only available at a handful of veterinary facilities nationwide. If you or your clients need help with routine or advanced equine reproduction services, please contact the Large Animal Clinic at 530-752-0290.

In Need of Livestock Reproduction Services?

Are you or your clients in need of livestock reproduction services such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer, laparoscopic insemination, or other fertility-related services? Our Livestock Herd Health and Reproduction Service can help augment your care if needed. See their website for a full list of reproduction and herd health procedures offered or call 530-752-0290 for more details.

Dr. Sarah le Jeune Featured on “Ask The Horse” Podcast

Dr. Sarah le Jeune, chief of the Equine Integrative Sports Medicine Service, was featured on the “Preventive Equine Joint Care” episode of the “Ask The Horse” podcast. The popular podcast, presented by The Horse magazine, discussed treatment options to delay the onset and slow the progress of equine osteoarthritis, the most common reason for lameness in horses. Without treatment, the condition can result in poor quality of life, early retirement, and even euthanasia if the associated pain is no longer manageable.

Look for UC Davis at AAEP

Are you attending the American Association of Equine Practitioners convention this fall? UC Davis will be onsite hosting a trade show booth in the expo hall and several of our faculty will be delivering continuing education lectures. AAEP takes place December 7-11 in Orlando, Florida. Stop by to say hello, learn about our research, clinical, and laboratory offerings, and pick up some UC Davis swag.

Horse Report

The Summer 2024 issue of the Horse Report is available. The award-winning newsletter from the UC Davis Center for Equine Health (CEH) is published quarterly with the most current information on a variety of equine health issues.

This latest issues contains articles on:

• Director's Message from Dr. Carrie Finno
• Colic Surgery for A Special CEH Teaching Herd Horse
• Colic: A Pain in the Gut
• Colic Happens: What You Can Do Before, During, and After a Colic
• Here We Go Again: Cases of Recurrent Colic
• 10 Things You Might Not Know About Equine Colic
• UC Davis Equine Surgical Emergency and Critical Care Service

Read them all and subscribe to the Horse Report to receive this news every quarter.

Synergy

Read Additional News from the School of Veterinary Medicine

Discover Synergy, the School of Veterinary Medicine's biannual magazine highlighting the latest clinical advances, research updates, and other school news. The latest issue focuses on the critical role of fundamental research.

Reach the Large Animal Clinic:

530-752-0290 (clients)

530-752-4050 (referring veterinarians)