Current research interests involve equine cancer looking at the molecular characteristics of cancer and possible adjunctive therapies to improve the health and longevity of our equine friends. Current projects include collaborations with the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University and New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Projects include looking at the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 by various equine tumours using both western blotting techniques and immunohistochemostry and the possible beneficial effect of COX-2 inhibitors as well as looking at the differential inhibition of COX by various drugs in the horse such as piroxicam and meloxicam.

The most common cause of depression and inappetence without signs of colic is equine flu. These horses will have fever (most colics don't) and may also have runny noses or cough. These viruses are wherever horses congregate and young horses are especially susceptible. Though rarely fatal, these diseases count for tremendous loss of time and money in the horse business.

Equine anhidrosis, also known as dry coat, is a disease in which a horse is unable to sweat in response to temperature extremes. The disease occurs in areas where hot and humid conditions predominate. In North America, the disease is most common in the Gulf Coast states. It has been estimated that 20 percent of horses in Miami, Florida are affected. Horses involved in training are more susceptible to the disease. There is no coat-color, age, sex, or breed predilection.

Angular Limb Deformities: Cause and Methods of Treatment. Angular limb deformities due to ligamentous laxity are typically present and most pronounced at birth. The carpal and tarsal joints are most commonly involved and, in severe cases, the stifle joints can be angled as well. Examination of the foal at rest reveals excessive medial to lateral mobility of the involved joints.

Aggressiveness, reproductive dysfunction characterize most common equine cancer - granulosa-theca cell tumors. Horses have a higher incidence of ovarian tumors than do any other domestic animal. Mares with ovarian tumors, specifically granulosa-theca cell tumors, which are by far the most common type of equine ovarian cancer, tend to have reproductive dysfunction, and they tend to be aggressive. Both of these problems generally cause clients to seek veterinary help.

The respiratory problems of horses in North America range from the infectious disease of young animals to the chronic non-infectious diseases in older animals. Younger horses are afflicted by a range of viral infections such as herpesvirus and influenza and by bacterial infections such as strangles. The older horses and some younger horses, particularly on racetracks, develop an inflammatory airway disease which we believe is non infectious.

Anhidrosis - a look into the causes and some ways to control anhidrosis, or non-sweating, in horses. It can affect horses of all breeds and all ages. It is thought to be triggered by stress - exercise, heat etc. It can come on suddenly, or develop over a period of time. It can vary in severity - from a horse which sweats a little, especially under the saddle and between the hind legs, to one whose coat remains completely dry. In a horse with anhidrosis, the horse's body temperature and respiration will stay dangerously high, risking heat stroke unless steps are taken to help him cool down.

When newborns stand up for the first time, their limbs frequently have several abnormalities. Many of these are related to laxity of ligaments and tendons and will correct in the first few days as long as the foal can get up and move around normally. You can divide these abnormalities into two main groups, depending on whether you can see the abnormality while standing in front of the foal or from the side: 1. A deformity best seen while looking at the side of a foal involves the flexor tendons: see Flexural Limb Deformities of Foals. 2. A deformity best seen from in front of the foal, as pictured below, is an angular limb deformity and dealt within this article.

Ten cecal tumors were identified during the postmortem examination of seven horse carcasses at slaughter (one horse had three tumors). The multinodular and hemorrhagic tumors ranged from 1 to 10 cm in diameter and consisted of spindle cells arranged in thin, interconnected trabeculae that were often separated by sinuses filled with mucinous fluid, erythrocytes, and siderophages.

The following two articles entitled "The Truth About Herpes And Horses" and "The Coughing Horse" provide an insight into the special characteristics of the Equine Herpes Viruses, especially the symptoms and the complications associated with infections. Other causes of respiratory problems are also discussed. There are no magical cures for these viral infections. Treatment is based on a common sense approach outlined in what is known as the "Four Point Treatment Plan."