HorSe HealTH/Welfare

8. May, 2022 • ©Mid-South Horse Review • www.midsouthhorsereview. com Horse Health & Welfare

Mark Akin, DVM is Honored Mississippi State Alumnus Measuring Foal IgG: How and When

outstanding alumni of mississippi State university (mSu) were recognized by the mSu alumni association at its annual awards event onapril 29, 2022. Dr. mark a.akin was selected to bealumnus of the year for 2022 from the College of veterinary medicine (Cvm). Dr. akin received his BS Degree from mississippi State in 1982 and his Dvm in 1986. He is a 1977 graduate of Shannon High School, Shannon, miss.

Dr. akin has been in equine Sports medicine Practice for 36 years. He is a member of the american veterinary medical association, the american association of equine Practitioners, mississippi veterinary medical association, Tennessee veterinary medical association, and the american Horse Council. Within theaaePhe has served on several committees including The equine Welfare and Public Policy Committee, Show Horse Committee, and The Purchase Committee. Dr. akin is also active with The foundation for The Horse. akin said he “chose mSu because of the quality of education i knew i would receive. The academic Program was and continues to be the best in the world. i work with veterinarians all over the uSa and the world; that represents a lot of veterinary schools. i believe mSu produces the most qualified, sought after graduates – period. mSu graduates not only know why, they know how. ”

The people who have influenced him the most are JohnTomlinson, who was his pre-vet advisor, and his wife, Dr. Carol akin.

What led him to the study of veterinary medicine? “for as long as i can remember i’ ve always had a passion for horses, ” he said. “i loved everything about them. as i grew, i was able to work for different horse trainers, which also allowed me to work around different veterinarians. i’ ve always been at ease around a horse; they tend to calm me down and i’ ve never had a fear of them. ” akin is a donor of multiple mSu Cvm Scholarships, including The Drs. mark and Carol akin equine Scholarship, The Dr. Carol akin feline Scholarship, The Drs. mark and Carol akin equine Client Consultation room, and a new project working with the mSu Cvm foundation to establish a student break room, food pantry, and exercise area, which will also have a staff psychologist on duty. “i’m really looking forward to this opportunity, ” he commented. akin veterinary Services is located at 383 Tarren mill Circle W. in Collierville, Tenn. Dr. akin and his wife Carol reside in Collierville, Tenn. visit www.alumni.msstate.edu. By Kentucky Equine Research Staff foals possess the ability to produce infection-fighting antibodies, called immunoglobulins or igs, from the moment they ’re born. What they don’t possess is pre-existing igs in their bloodstream at the time of birth to protect them from the onslaught of bacteria and other infection-inducing microorganisms in their new environment.

“This lack of maternal transfer of immunity is somewhat of an evolutionary drawback, leaving foals highly susceptible to threatening infections, especially, pneumonia, joint infections, and sepsis, ” noted kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a kentucky equine research nutritionist. foals, therefore, require a healthy meal of colostrum—the mare’s first milk laden with igs to temporarily provide immunity until the foal’s own immune system swings into full gear. Here’s what you

need to know about the process of passive transfer of immunity: • Time is of the essence.afoal loses its ability to absorb igs after 18-24 hours; •assisting foals to stand and encouraging them to nurse from their dam as soon as possible after birth will decrease the risk of failure of passive transfer; • allow them to nurse as frequently as they wish; • if the mare begins leaking colostrum prior to the foal nursing, collect the colostrum and bottle feed it to the foal instead. alternatively, have some frozen colostrum (available commercially) for back-up purposes; • measure the foal’s igg levels between 18 and 24 hours of life to ensure sufficient passive transfer has been achieved. ideally, igg levels exceed 8 grams/liter.

“Several methods of measuring iggs to ensure sufficient immunity exist, each with some pros and cons. one study* conducted over a five-year period found that all three of the tested techniques proved sufficiently capable of diagnosing failure of passive transfer in neonatal foals, ” shared Crandell. Some examples of these tests include two laboratory tests called a radial immunodiffiusion assay (riD) and electrophoreses. riD is currently the “gold standard, ” with electrophoresis coming in a close second; however, specialized equipment is required and the results take about 24 hours. Stall-side assays using handheld instruments called refractometers are available. These refractometers also have some drawbacks, but they appear to be valid and useful tools for the rapid, inexpensive screening of successful passive transfer of immunity.

“To add more bang to your mare’s colostrum, ensure her overall nutritional needs are being met and supplement with omega-3 fatty acids. This supports not only the mare during gestation, but also the foal’s ocular and cognitive development early in life, ” Crandell added.

Resource: *elsohaby, i., C.B. riley, J.T. mcClure. usefulness of digital and optical refractometers for the diagnosis of failure of transfer of passive immunity in neonatal foals. equine veterinary Journal.

veterinarians at Tennessee equine Hospital (TeH) have been doingWell foal checks inapril.

This foal (above) was “supervising” her dam’s ultrasound with Dr. Cindy Weis (TeH West) onapril 4, 2022. another foal,Twister, aced his first test; his igg scores were great. foals naturally acquire antibodies from their dam’s colostrum, so it is very important to have their levels checked around 10 hours old to be sure that they have sufficient antibodies to ward off disease and infections.

(above) Twister (below)Afoal enjoying a bit of sunshine on Good Friday

10. May, 2022 • ©Mid-South Horse Review • www.midsouthhorsereview. com Tri-County Farm Services

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Brooke USA Aids Horses and Equestrians in Ukraine

lexington, ky – april 7, 2022 - Brooke uSafoundation announced the establishment of its ukraine emergency fund and asks its supporters to help equestrians and their horses as it joins the many organizations supporting relief efforts in that nation. funds raised will be forwarded to the ukrainian equestrian federation Charity foundation (uefCf; registered in Belgium) with assistance from the fei (international equestrian federation) and uSef (united States equestrian federation) via the uSef Disaster relief fund. according to uefCf, there are more than 100,000 horses in ukraine, many of which are caught up in the war, with no possibility to flee and seek safety nor access to shelter or veterinary care. Horse owners, riding schools, athletes, breeders, and riders are suffering under desperate conditions without any means to save their horses. “By making a donation to Brooke uSa, donors can provide the ukrainian equestrian community with a way to help themselves and their beloved equine companions –whether providing feed, bedding, shelter, veterinary care, medications, and other essential needs, ” stated katherine kaneb, Chair of the Board of Directors of Brooke uSa.

Brooke uSa has received several email messages and calls asking for the organization to support those in ukraine who are living amidst a war zone, lacking essential services and access to meeting their most basic needs. “Just imagine if life is difficult for humans; their equine companions are completely at risk. Those who care for them are forced to flee or have no means to provide for them. We have heard that many ukraine horse owners are staying with their horses because of the difficulty of transporting them out of the country. The situation is truly desperate for all, added kaneb.

Brooke uSa is in a unique position to help both humans and equines as the lives of both are intertwined. 100% of the funds raised will be designated for direct support services. uefCf is helping with the relocation of horses and gathering and distributing goods for equestrians and their horses. initially, the fund was established to manage a hotline for equestrians in ukraine and those organizations offering help to ukrainians. uefCf has expanded their efforts to include coordinating help and operations in ukraine, offering counselling and other needs-based assistance. over the last month, outreach efforts assisting horses and humans displaced by the ongoing attacks in ukraine amounted to more than 375 tons of feed, haylage and bedding. 150 tons were immediately distributed to 30 different stables in across ukraine.

“Current donations are meeting immediate needs, but we know that the commitment to aid our fellow equestrians will require long-term support. We know that the welfare of these horses is paramount to their owners, ” stated emily Dulin, Chief executive officer of Brooke uSa.

To make a donation to Brooke uSa’s ukraine emergency fund, visit www.BrookeuSa/ukraine.

The Foundation for the Horse Awards $50,000 to Ukraine Equine Relief

By Keith Kleine

The foundation for the Horse, the charitable arm of theamericanassociation of equine Practitioners (aaeP), announced onapril 11, 2022 a donation of $50,000 to help horses in ukraine and neighboring countries.

The foundation is distributing the money through its partnership with the British equine veterinary association (Beva) and its charitable arm Beva Trust. The groups are collaborating on equine relief efforts in and around ukraine with two additional organizations, British vet Professionals for ukraine, and British equestrians for ukraine.

The goal of this partnership and initial $50,000 gift is to support the veterinary and equestrian communities that have “boots on the ground” and are making an immediate impact for all horses and working equids in ukraine and in neighboring countries to which animals have been evacuated, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, romania, and moldova.

This aid is made possible by individual donors who responded to the foundation’s appeal for assistance in march as well as a matching donation by the foundation.

“This financial support and partnership with the aaeP and its foundation for the Horse is appreciated and needed, ” said David rendle, president-elect of Beva. “Horses and animals have not been spared from the horrific death and destruction in ukraine. external support is needed urgently to limit their suffering. monetary support is needed to allow us to get medical supplies and equipment to veterinarians and horse owners both inside ukraine and at the border. ”

The images and reports from ukraine and border countries are heart-wrenching. While many residents fleeing ukraine are trying to take their pets and animals with them, thousands of displaced horses and other animals remain behind. visit The foundation for the Horse at https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/gi ve-now/ to make your gift. you may also give directly to Beva Trust at: https://www.justgiving.com/bevatrust to support this combined effort for the horses of ukraine.

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