Overview

Join us for this Autumn's EVA Roadshow featuring Prof Derek Knottenbelt, a renowned specialist who has dedicated his life to the study of Equine Oncology. Prof Knottenbelt will be presenting two face-to-face talks at our state meetings on the following topics: Equine Sarcoid Wound Healing in Horses Bonus Webinar: A special webinar will follow, focusing on Equine Melanoma in Grey Horses. This will be a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and friends, enjoy dinner and drinks, and engage in thought-provoking discussions on equine health! We look forward to seeing you there!

Equine and mixed practice veterinarians, veterinary students, equine practice staff

THE EQUINE SARCOID:  Diagnosis and Management.

The equine sarcoid is by far the most common equine neoplasm.   It has a unique etiopathogenesis and major therapeutic and often diagnostic challenges.  There are difficulties with diagnosis and a wide variety of tested and untested treatments.  Many of the treatment options have at least some limitations of applicability and/or availability; for sure, any condition with at least 40 different treatment options is bound to be challenging.  The clinician faces a therapeutic dilemma in almost every case since there are plentiful anecdotal reports of successful treatment with nearly every option, including some incomprehensible suggestions from social media.  It is clear, however, that there is no universally effective treatment for the tumor and that careful appraisal of the case and meticulous application of the most appropriate therapy gives the best chance.  It is not the successes that create our problems – it is the failures, so when therapy fails, acrimony, recrimination, and desperation often combine to the detriment of the patient! The only predictable thing about the equine sarcoid is its unpredictability.  This presentation will describe the condition and discuss the treatments available – or at least some of them!   

IF WE ELIMINATE EVERY FACTOR THAT INHIBITS HEALING, ALMOST EVERY WOUND WILL HEAL. 

The horse has an undeserved but pervasive reputation for non-healing of wounds – particularly those affecting the lower limb regions.   The expectations of owners are, therefore, that wound healing is slow and expensive!  This need NOT be the case, and this paper will try to refresh and redraw the boundaries of equine wound management so that the best and most economical management can be applied.  Simple strategic approaches can be used to maximize the healing potential of the horse, which, in the end, turns out to be almost magical if the right circumstances are created.  Every wound needs to be assessed using the acronym T.I.M.E.

Which stands for:

1. TISSUES INVOLVED in the wound

2. INHIBITING FACTORS  - all 12 of them!

3. MOISTURE STATUS of the wound since we know that moist wound healing is the best    wound healing

4. EPITHELIAL INTEGRITY AND HEALTH, since we know that wounds heal from the margins! A well-established wound healing protocol between all the clinicians in practice will maximize outcomes and establish clinical excellence in wound management.

THE EQUINE MELANOMA – What’s the problem?

The equine melanoma is a common condition of grey horses, with up to 80% of all grey horses being affected to some (albeit variable) extent.  Three genetic groups of grey horses are recognized.  Horses carrying only one “gene set” for the condition will not be affected – or at least hardly!- whilst those carrying two gene sets will be affected to a moderate extent.  Horses with three gene sets will develop a serious and complicated state.    Historically, we have taken a somewhat ambivalent approach to the disease in grey horses with the premise that they will die WITH the disease rather than FROM the disease.  This was probably acceptable when horses only lived for 10-12 years, but now that they are expected to live much longer, we must adapt our approach to a more positive and realistic one.  Since over 60% of grey horses will develop some form of malignancy from melanoma if they wait long enough, we have to have a much more proactive approach.  This talk will discuss the etiopathogenesis of equine melanoma and propose new approaches that will actively prolong the lives of grey horses and also improve their welfare.  

 Bonus webinar will be sent to attendees after the event.