Cornell University Seminar: The Role of Insulin in Laminitis

 

The role that insulin plays in equine laminitis continues to gain interest among researchers.  Dr. Don Walsh was invited by Dr. Ned Place of Cornell University to speak on the subject to the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences.  On October 7, 2008 he gave a presentation, “Equine Laminitis – the Role of Insulin”, which was based on the results of a field study Dr. Walsh carried out in conjunction with Cornell’s endocrinology laboratory.

 

The field study showed there is a significant correlation of insulin levels to endocrinopathic laminitis cases: the higher the insulin level, the greater the severity of laminitis.  Insulin levels also make it possible to predict the possible onset of laminitis, to monitor an ongoing case of laminitis and to help in managing the treatment of a case.  The results of this study will be published in a paper which has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science in February, 2009.   The authors of the paper are Donald M. Walsh, DVM, Catherine M. McGowan, B.V.Sc., Ph.D., Thomas McGowan, B.Sc., DVM, Stephen V. Lamb, B.S., Barbara J. Schanbacher, DVM and Ned J. Place, Ph.D, MD

Dr. Don Walsh, AHF and Dr. Ned Place, Cornell University

During his visit to Cornell, Dr. Walsh met with Dr. Tom Divers and Dr. Ned Place regarding improvements in diagnosis and treatment of insulin resistance.  He also met with Dr. Samantha Brooks who is involved in a genetic study of laminitis and will be providing DNA samples to her for use in the study.  And Dr. Walsh conferred with Michael Wildenstein, Cornell’s resident farrier, on treating laminitic patients.

The results of the insulin/laminitis field study will be posted on this website following publication.

 

Dr. Walsh Inducted Into International Equine Hall of Fame

     The Animal Health Foundation is proud to announce that Dr. Donald M. Walsh has been inducted into the 2009 International Equine Veterinarian Hall of Fame.  The award was presented at the 6th Annual International Hoof-Care Summit held Feb. 3-6, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The Summit is a gathering of some of the top farriers, equine veterinarians and educators from around the world. 

     “This group consists of equine veterinarians who have made a substantial difference in the lives of horses and their owners”, according to Frank Lessiter, editor/publisher of the American Farriers Journal and host of the International Hoof-Care Summit.  Members of the Hall of Fame consist of two categories, Practicing Veterinarian and Research & Teaching Veterinarian, and are honored for advancing Equine Veterinary Medicine. 

     New members of the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame were also inducted at the Hoof-Care Summit.

     The March, 2009 issue of American Farriers Journal will include an feature saluting the new Veterinarian and Farrier Hall members and highlighting the careers that have led to their inductions.  Dr. Walsh’s great interest in equine laminitis and the establishment of the Animal Health Foundation to fund laminitis research will be included in the article.

 

 

New Exhibit at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – A new exhibit, Ride On!, which is dedicated to Equine Veterinary Medicine, has opened at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York.  A major part of the display deals with laminitis, explaining our current understanding of the disease and includes the story of the nine month struggle to save Barbaro. The horse captured the country’s attention and helped bring awareness to the public about this foot ailment which finally caused the need for Barbaro’s euthanasia.

Dr. Don Walsh spoke about laminitis and the latest research on the disease at the Museum during a preview of the new exhibit in July.  The event was sponsored by Hoofcare and Lameness magazine and museum Curator of Collections Beth Sheffer.  Ride On! will be exhibited for about year at the National Museum and AHF brochures and DVD’s are available there to the public.