Case Report- Belgium Draft Nurse Mare with Chronic Progressive Lymphedema

Entry, Case Study
Rachel Ruden, University of Pennsylvania

History:

Lewie presented with gross lesions on both front fetlocks and a small cluster of nodules on the dorsal surface of her left hind pastern. The affected area was clearly painful. Her fetlocks were so swollen with edema it was hard to separate individual lesions, and they readily bled when manipulated. The odor and fluid attracted flies, but upon further examination, the moist spaces were also supporting colony of maggots. Finally, movement was onerous. All of these signs indicated Lewie was suffering from Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL), commonly called Draft Horse Dermatitis. This is a skin disease that causes inflammation of the legs, most commonly affecting the fetlock region. Though the original insult may be a cut, the disease becomes escalated by secondary infections that produce edematous nodules that bleed and fester. Finally, ectoparasites complicate the issue, especially in mares that should not be treated with medications like Frontline while nursing. There is no cure for CPL, and due to its progressive and debilitating nature, this disease will put an early end to a horse’s career, and often, its life.

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3rd Annual WesternU VBMA Symposium

SAVMA's very own Governmental Affairs Committee helped sponsors the Economic Initiatives and Education Integrated Outreach (EIEIO) Grant. Read on to see how SAVMA is helping to empower students in this economic climate. For more information on how to apply for the EIEIO grant and others, click here. 

 Written by Adrienne Snider, WesternU VBMA Treasurer

January 27^th, 2013 saw the latest installment of WesternU’s Veterinary Business Management (VBMA) Symposium.  Originally the brainchild of Brandi Bayliff (’13) and the 2010 board, Symposium is in its third year and continues to grow.

WesternU’s VBMA is a chapter of the National VBMA, which is entirely student-run and is the second largest veterinary student organization (behind SAVMA).  One of the goals of our chapter is to increase business knowledge in students, as this type of education is not included in our normal veterinary curriculum. From left to right are Dr. Paul Gordon-Ross (faculty advisor), Adrienne Snider (treasurer), Alexis Galvez (marketing director), Kendra Bettis-Scheibe (speaker liaison), Jon Silverman (vice president), and Audrey Collinet (president). Missing are Kelsey Gapstur (secretary) and Anthony Carrier (IT director). All students are class of 2015. The club sponsors 10-12 events per school year, with topics covering finance management, practice ownership, interview skills, and more. 

The annual symposium is the premiere event for the club.  This year, 75 students, faculty and local practitioners gathered for the day to listen to three speakers.

 The club was very excited to bring in nationally known veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward.  Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Ward is an owner of two small animal practices, a contributor to the “Rachael Ray Show,” and an author.  Ward gave two talks, “What You Need to Know to Succeed During the Next 20 Years” and “Performing the Perfect Physical Exam:  Communicating Compassion and Expertise.”  

The take-home message for students was how we, as the incoming face of the profession, can grow its reputation and improve public opinion of what we do.  For students entering the work force with massive debt, it’s critical that we innovate, not only to survive in the profession, but to excel as well.

 Mr. Cornel Catrina of GL Advisor provided students with invaluable information on personal finances.  “Managing Student Loan Debt, Personal Finances, and Personal Investing” provided explanation of topics that many students find confusing and intimidating. 

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Communicating the Diversity within Veterinary Medicine Grant

The Integrative Communications and Diversity Committee (ICDC) has extended the deadline of this grant to April 5, 2013. Applications can be found here, or you may contact Emily Colwell directly at ecolwell@upei.ca. 

Goal: To enhance communication between SCAVMA, SAVMA and the AVMA while enhancing diversity awareness through promoting community activities and opportunities.

A total of four grants will be awarded to clubs or individuals. Grants will be given to deserving individuals or groups who host a diversity-based activity with a larger communication component for the public. Please write a 300-500 word essay briefly describing the activity and how communication occurred. Successful examples will be published in the Vet Gazette. In order to qualify for the grant, no fundraising component can come from the activity, and any notes, posters, or pamphlets given at the event must accompany the write up.

Note: Diversity is NOT limited to multicultural diversity and write-ups focusing on diversity within the veterinary field will be accepted.

2013 SAVMA Symposium!

Bienvenue en Louisiane!

Welcome to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, home of Louisiana State University and host to the 2013 SAVMA Symposium!  The first day of meetings for the SAVMA House of Delegates has begun.   We hope all those attending the symposium have a wonderful time!

A view of the 2013 SAVMA House of Delegates meeting room