Latest News

Calling All Repro Vets!

Are you interested in helping with sample collection for a clinical research study?

If so, you can help by collecting bloods from Thoroughbred mares with retained fetal membranes this coming stud season (2024).

Links to forms to be completed when making a submission:

Consent Form | Submission Form 

IEVA Clinical Case Award 2023: Winner Announced

Kindly Sponsored by IMV Imaging | Euro 2000 Prize Fund

Following the success of the 2022 competition, the IEVA Clinical Cases Award returned for 2023. Four finalists were selected to present a 15 minute Equine Case Report on Friday 24th Nov at the Slieve Russell Hotel as part of the 2023 IEVA Conference, with the winner being selected by a jury of the keynote speakers from the conference.

Huge Congratulations to Milda Baltrimaite who was chosen as the winner of the 2023 IMV Imaging Bursary Prize and well done to the runners up Claudia Pérez Blanco, Julia Larrinaga Pérez, and Natalia Berka in what was a very competitive final.

Thank you to IMV Imaging for their continued support.

IEVA CONFERENCE 2023
Delivers Largest Equine Veterinary CDP Event in Ireland!

All veterinary roads last week were leading to Co Cavan for IEVA Conference 2023, which commenced on Thursday 23rd November with an excellent- hands on and immersive wetlab day at the Cavan Equestrian Centre. This workshop dealt with the imaging of the equine head. In addition to the quality of the speakers, the latest in equine diagnostic imaging equipment were showcased and displayed by Molloy Veterinary and Celtic SMR. The successful day ended with a hotly contested quiz and supper at the Slieve Russell Hotel, home to IEVA23.

For the next two days, Friday 24th and Saturday 25th Nov, the IEVA Conference 2023 delivered an action packed and thought-provoking series of lectures, talks and presentations by leading experts in the field of equine veterinary as well as a number of case studies and abstract studies. A series of hands-on workshops, including the very popular one on bandaging took place over the two days also.

Wonder-Vet: The Amazing Adeventures of Aleen Cust

Beehive Books, in collaboration with Veritas, is excited to unveil a new children’s book that shares the inspiring story of Aleen Cust. A woman of extraordinary courage, Aleen pursued her dreams and passion despite numerous challenges, ultimately becoming the first female veterinarian in Ireland and Great Britain.

This heart-warming tale serves as an invitation for all girls and boys to follow their aspirations and embrace a compassionate connection with animals. As we approach the festive season, consider gifting this beautifully illustrated book, a perfect Christmas gift for children who appreciate delightful storytelling and captivating illustrations.

NordCAW seminar 2023 on Horse Welfare in equestrian sport

Equestrian sports engage many people, but faces several challenges, both in terms of protecting the welfare of horses and in terms of maintaining its social licence to operate. The NordCAW seminar will highlight those challenges; How the use of horses in equestrian sport and equine equipment poses a risk to the horses’ physical and mental well-being if not being well managed, but also the ethical considerations regarding equestrianism and if we are on the right track. We know a lot about horse welfare, but are we implementing what we know or how can we otherwise do better?

The Racehorse: A Veterinary Manual – New Edition

Piet Ramzan author of ‘The Racehorse: A Veterinary Manual’ ‘has been in touch to let us know that the new edition of  ‘The Racehorse’ textbook is out now,  with introductory discounts available.

If ordered through the publisher Routledge discounts of 20% for single copies (code AFL03) or 30% for more than one copy (code ADC23) are available at checkout. Postage worldwide is also free.

The new edition has a lot of fresh content & images & also expanded sections on sales radiography, injury prevention and rehab etc so hopefully everyone will find it to be a useful update.

VDS members undertaking Equine work…Important information:

Due to a recent spate of claims relating to equine Pre-Purchase Examinations (PPE), we would like to remind our members of some important features of your VDS Professional Indemnity Policy that impact cover when carrying out examinations on a horse and providing advice in connection with a sale, purchase or valuation.

Atypical Myopathy:

Atypical Myopathy (AM) is a seasonal condition which occurs in horses at pasture. Ingestion of plant material containing the toxin hypoglycin A (HGA) results in non-exertional rhabdomyolysis. In Europe, seeds and seedlings from Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) are the primary source of HGA. It is therefore no surprise that disease incidence peaks in the Autumn and Spring, resulting from ingestion of seeds and seedlings. Relatively more cases occur in Autumn and are attributed to ingestion of samaras. Samaras are winged fruits containing Acer seeds. During years when there are a high number of cases in Autumn, cases tend to be seen the following spring as seeds germinate and progress into seedlings.

International Collating Centre: Summary Report:

1 Jan to 31 Mar 2023

This article provides a summary of international disease outbreaks during the first quarter of 2023. It should also be noted that additional summary reports were kindly received that included further information on disease occurrence for that country, but which had not been reported in previous real-time ICC reports. This additional information is identified by *or # in the tables and text, where relevant, throughout this report. National and international equine disease outbreaks are reported on a daily basis by the ICC, through email alerts. Please contact equinesurveillance@gmail.com to receive these. There is also a website available that provides an interactive interface of these infectious disease reports and can be used to view current outbreak reports:  https://equinesurveillance.org/iccview/

The Hold Box: Diaries of a Vet #1: Marcus Swail

Spike is back in his Hold Box but this time he is hearing from some of the best vets in the business. First up is Irish Team Vet and IEVA President Marcus Swail, as he talks through how his veterinary journey began, what it takes to be a good vet and the future of horse sport.

IHRB Rule Change – Flu Vaccinations

The IHRB issued a communication to licensed trainers on 17/2/23 regarding a rule change relating to flu vaccinations. Details of the communication are as follows:

Please note the rule change below effective from March 1. All entries on this date will fall under the rule change and will require you to have vaccinations in order and approved on the Weatherby’s ePassport app by 5pm the day of entries.

The IHRB must be satisfied that the certification of vaccination is in compliance with this Rule 91 before a Horse may enter Racecourse Property or run in a Race and shall be entitled to request evidence of same. The vaccination certification must have been approved by the IHRB by 5pm on the day of entry for a race or in the case of an early closing race on the day of final forfeit or the supplementary entry stage.

NB. Point To Point Vaccination Regulation: This Rule change relates to horses entered to run on the Racecourse. Flu-vaccinations for horses running in Point to Points must be in approved on the Weatherby’s ePassport App at the time specified for the closing of entries.

The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland: A Practical Reference Guide

The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland have put together a practical health and welfare reference guide to help vets, nurses, and attending welfare / agricultural colleagues to manage donkeys and their care effectively. The guide homes in on the areas that are differential to other equines; in that respect it is useful for non-donkey specialists at all levels. The Donkey Academy is also a fantastic resource offering free training resources and is being added to all the time.

Outgoing IEVA President Rosalinda Devereux interviewed on the Vetspace Ireland podcast

The Vet Space Ireland podcast, created and hosted by Michelle Maguire and Hazell Mullins discussed positivity, learning and current affairs in the veterinary world. Listen to Michelle and Hazell’s interview with the IEVA’s Outgoing President Rosalinda Devereux. 

Anthelmintic resistance in equine nematodes: Current status and emerging trends

Anthelmintic resistance is reported in equine nematodes with increasing frequency in recent years, and no new anthelmintic classes have been introduced during the past 40 years. This manuscript reviews published literature describing anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomins, Parascaris spp., and Oxyuris equi with special emphasis on larvicidal efficacy against encysted cyathostomin larvae and strongylid egg reappearance periods (ERP).

Parasitism: IEC Update – 24/10/22

The Irish Equine Centre have highlighted a marked increase in parasitism, particularly large and small Strongyles, especially in the weanling age group, as a result of weather conditions in Summer and Autumn.

Sycamore Poisoning: IEC Update – 10/10/22

The Irish Equine Centre has shared the following alert regarding sycamore poisoning:

There seems to be a significant seed crop on the sycamore trees this year and as far as we are aware there have been two cases recorded over the past few days. So if people have had cases before they need to be particularly careful and where the sycamore trees have a significant seed crop people need to be careful about exposure over the next few weeks. Wet and windy weather will bring down the seeds quicker. For further information please contact the Irish Equine Centre at: iec@irishequinecentre.ie

Equine Influenza (EI) Vaccine Shortages: IHRB Update

The IHRB would like to clarify, following monitoring and careful consideration over the last few weeks of the evolving situation in relation to this, that there will be no change to the EI vaccination schedules or planned changes due to take place in 2023 in order for horses to remain compliant with the Rules of Racing In Ireland.

Equine Influenze Vaccine Schedule – FEI Temporary Changes – 09/09/22

At its meeting on 8 September, the FEI Board approved a temporary exemption to the FEI Veterinary Regulations in response to the shortage of vaccines in Europe created by supply issues facing Boehringer Ingelheim, a key producer of equine influenza vaccinations.

In the Emergency Board resolution, the FEI decided to extend the booster intervals from six to 12 months in combination with increased disease surveillance and a higher level of general biosecurity.

Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations (FEEVA) Board meeting in Brussels: Updated 7 March 2022

Last week, the FEEVA board had a physical meeting in Brussels after a long COVID break. One of the important topics that were discussed was the horrible war activities in Ukraine. The board decided to engage in horse health and welfare in the area, focusing not only on the horses in Ukraine but also on the horses transported across the borders. The board will keep FEEVA members informed of the actions and progress. To provide practical support, FVE, WVA, and FECAVA have developed a web portal to coordinate aid by veterinarians to help Ukrainian veterinarians, their families, and animals.

The portal puts together information on:

• Pet travel rules and support to refugees fleeing with their animals;
• Places to stay for Ukrainian veterinarians and their animals by country;
• Diploma recognition of Ukrainian veterinarians;
• Support initiatives for Ukrainian veterinary students;
• Other veterinary support or money donations initiatives.

Please feel free to share this portal widely: http://vetsforukraine.com

Rules of Racing – New Equine Influenza Vaccination Intervals

The IHRB have sent to correspondence to all licensed trainers and point to point handlers regarding changes to vaccination intervals under Rule 91 of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules. The IHRB are extending this communication to Veterinary Surgeons as they recognize that you are at the forefront of appropriate vaccination administration.

As you may well be aware, Rule 91 which concerns the time intervals for Equine Influenza vaccination came into effect in Ireland and Great Britain on 1st January 2022. This change was implemented in a bid to minimize the recognized waning in immunity between vaccinations.

Invitation to participate in PPID Study

Hypertrichosis is one of the most common clinical signs of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as Equine Cushing’s disease, a condition that affects one in five horses over the age of 15. Researchers at University College Dublin in collaboration with researchers at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Centre are conducting a study to investigate the effects of blue light treatment in PPID horses over a 12-month period.

The team are recruiting interest from owners of PPID horses/ponies that meet a specific set of criteria to be part of this important study. If you own or manage a horse or pony diagnosed with PPID, and which displays hypertrichosis, please complete the following questionnaire. Both medicated (e.g. Pergolide) and unmedicated horses/ponies are suitable. Your participation in this study will help us to better understand PPID as a disorder of older horses, and in particular its impact on coat and coat condition.

Irish Equine Veterinary Association Meet with French Galop:

A delegation from the IEVA travelled to Paris this past weekend to meet with the French veterinary and epidemiology group to discuss the RESPE equine disease alert system.  Photographed from left to right – Coralie Lupo (RESPE), Loic Malivet (RESPE), Rosalinda Devereaux (IEVA), Guillaume Fortier  (RESPE – on screen – joined by zoom), Siobhan McAuliffe (IEVA) and Ann Courouce (RESPE).

This trip was kindly sponsored by Duggans Veterinary Supplies.

UCD Study in to Equine Metabolic Syndrome in Connemara Ponies: Free Insulin Tests

As part of a study into Equine Metabolic Syndrome in Connemara Ponies, researchers in UCD are able to offer insulin tests to up to 500 eligible ponies. The tests will be either basal insulin or an oral sugar test, depending on the laminitis history and phenotype of each individual pony. All tests will be conducted free of charge by a UCD vet. The eligibility criteria are: registered Connemara pony, located in Ireland, between 5 and 10 years old with no history of colic or gastric ulcers requiring treatment. If you have clients who may be interested in availing of this test for their pony(ies), they can be directed to this form: https://forms.gle/kRH5N1Vawzwxs2VFA to register an interest. Veterinary queries regarding the study can be sent to vivienne.duggan@ucd.ie or ahmed.alansari@ucdconnect.ie

European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Treatment: Survey

ENOVAT (European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Treatment) has launched a survey on guidelines for the responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary practice. Your feedback is very valuable and ENOVAT hope to get as many responses as possible. Please find below the link to the survey. Many thanks for your collaboration.

Panorama Investigative programme:

The members of the IEVA were gravely concerned by the images shown in the recent Panorama investigative programme into slaughter of horses at an abattoir in the United Kingdom.

The working practices at this abattoir were appalling and should be formally investigated by the relevant authorities in regard to animal welfare and food standards. Michael Sheahan, Director of Veterinary Operations, DAFM confirmed that these practices do not occur in Irish abattoirs. While it is legal to transport horses to the UK for slaughter for human consumption, it is paramount that they are fit to travel and are presented with the correct passports ensuring food safety for consumers.

It is desirable that all horses lead a full life free from injury and stress, but inevitably there are a few that are unsuitable for re-homing once their career is finished. Euthanasia carried out humanely is a valid option. Some horses are excluded from the food chain due to the administration of certain medicines. Furthermore horse owners who wish that their horses never end up in abattoirs can proactively sign their passports out of the food chain.

FVE / FEEVA joint position  on ‘Best practice Protocol for Euthanasia of horses’:

When horses need to be euthanised there are several matters to consider. A method of euthanasia is only acceptable when its effect is guaranteed. It must cause loss of consciousness before cardiac or respiratory arrest. As well, human safety during euthanasia should be addressed because of the potential hazards and unpredictability of the procedure, and proper disposal of the carcass after euthanasia should be arranged and considered before selecting the method of euthanasia. Based on those matters, FVE and FEEVA built a joint technical document for the “Best practice Protocol for Euthanasia of horses”. The joint position was adopted by the FVE and the UEVP on 11 June 2021.

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) – Update:

DEFRA in the UK have announced that on the 9th of June 2021 a stallion at an equine premise in West Devon tested positive for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM). Three mares which had close contact with the infected horse at the same premises are currently under investigation. The source of infection is believed to be contact with a stable mate abroad, before arriving in the UK.

Further information is available from the International Collating Centre (ICC). The affected horse a three year old Arab stallion, was imported to the UK in October 2020 from Europe and has had no clinical signs of infection. The diagnosis was made following targeted investigative testing after it came to light that another linked stallion on a premises in the Netherlands had tested positive for CEM on routine testing. The initial positive diagnosis was made by Axiom Veterinary Laboratories by PCR on penile swabs and this was confirmed on further samples tested at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) reference laboratory at Penrith by PCR on 8 June 2021; bacterial culture is pending at both laboratories.

The National Disease Control Centre of DAFM has indicated that there are no forward or backward tracing links to Ireland at this stage. DAFM will continue to monitor the situation closely. Compliance with the Code of Practice in relation to CEM prevention is particularly important at this time.

The ICC also reported two outbreaks of CEM in Icelandic horses in Germany this month, both confirmed by Labor Dr Bose GmbH.

Irish Veterinary Benevolent Fund Helpline

As of June 1^st 2021, a dedicated free phone number – 1800 145145 – is available for vets and vet nurses to ring 24/7 if they are mentally or emotionally distressed and need immediate help.

This number will be answered by a call centre in the UK on behalf of Vetlife and then diverted to volunteer vets and vet nurses who are trained to help their colleagues.

Vetlife is also backed up by a health support service called March on Stress that will provide ongoing services as required. This service is being sponsored and paid for by the Irish Veterinary Benevolent Fund and the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

The IEVA Welcomes New Legislation To Encourage Proper Use Of Worm Treatments And Prevention In Horses

The concerns about equine anthelmintics (wormers) not being available by over-the-counter sales from January 2022 in line with the new EU Regulations was highlighted in last weeks Irish Field in an article by Mark Costello.

Equine Herpesvirus Neurological Disease: Outbreak Update – 6th April 2021

Ann Cullinane MVB PhD 

Equine herpesviruses are endemic in horse populations worldwide and equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) respiratory disease and abortion are diagnosed each year in Ireland. EHV1 neurological disease is less common but when it occurs, often results in fatalities. Vaccination is a useful aid in the control of abortion and respiratory disease but no vaccine has an efficacy claim against the neurological form of the disease.

On the 20th of February the FEI were notified of a suspected outbreak of EHV1 neurological disease in showjumpers at the CES Valencia Spring Tour in Spain and reacted promptly to cancel the rest of the event.

Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine – Webinar Series

EU Regulations on Veterinary Medicinal Products, 2019/6, and the manufacture, placing on the market and use of Medicated Feed, 2019/4, come into effect in January 2022. Both Regulations will bring significant changes for veterinary practitioners. DAFM hosted two free webinars in March and April on the regulations:

Wednesday 31st March:
The Future of Prescribing – EU Regulations and What They Mean for You

Wednesday 7th April:
Veterinary Medicines Landscape post-2022 – EU Regulations and What They Mean for You

Webinar presentations now available to download on the DAFM website.