Tay Valley Vets

Tay Valley Veterinary Equine Centre has been asked to participate in a nation wide study into the frequency and risk factors of laminitis. We are the only practice in the East of Scotland to be participating and hope that our contribution helps towards increasing knowledge about this common and painful condition.

The project is a collaborative one with the Animal Health Trust, Royal Vet College, Liphook Equine Hospital and the Western Counties Equine Clinic and is generously funded by World Horse Welfare.

The main aims are:

1)To quantify the frequency of occurencence of laminitis in the British Horse Population

2)To describe the epidemiology of laminitis in horses in GB

3)To study how to facilitate and implement effective treatment and prevention of laminitis in GB

For each case we see we have been asked to complete a questionaire and with your permission pass your details on. The AHT will then send you a simple questionaire regarding risk factors contributing to the deve;lopment of laminitis in your horse. 

To provide a control study we have also been asked to send a risk factor questionaire to owners with horses that have not recently suffered laminitis. These may come out with a newsletter or account and if you are happy to complete the form we would be very grateful.

Andrew attended a 2 day training course in equine rescue in Hampshire last week. The training means that Tay Valley Vets are now listed on a national register of vets who are able to assist their local fire brigades with equine rescues. The training was very practical and participants had to demonstrate strong leadership skills in stressful situations with simulated rescues of horses from rivers, ditches, bogs and from overturned trailers. Much of the training focussed on road accidentsd involving horses being transported. The training was administered by the British Equine Veterinary Association, of which both Andrew and Jamie are members, and the Lyndhurst Fire and rescue service. Two equine vets and two firefighters who specialise in animal rescue led the course of fifteen vets from across the UK. Andrew said the whole experience was very helpful as well as extremely sobering!