Download Equine Thermography and Stem Cell

Alternative therapies for performance problems: Equine Thermography and Stem Cell
These days our options for treating many performance and lameness issues in horses is forever increasing. Nowadays there are
many more options other than simply “give him a rest” or “put him on some bute” when it comes to treating many of our
equine cases.
We have had many success stories in recent years using
alternative modalities when approaching and treating our
equine patients. This article shares with you the story of one
of our favourite equine patients.
“Brolga" is a 15 year old Andalusian cross gelding trained in
high level dressage and used for demonstrations. He is owned
by Chantelle Matthews and together they train under Manolo
Mendez. (Right, Manolo training Brolga in piaffe). Brolga
presented to The Vet Practice with a history of decreased
performance. His riders noticed that he was no longer
enthusiastic and impulsive during work, and they were
suspicious of underlying problems in his fetlocks and
pasterns.
Brolga had a comprehensive medical history including poor
nutrition in early life (before being owned by his current
owners) and developing Stringhalt secondary to ingesting
toxic weeds that put him out of work for 3 years.
Brolga was examined by our very own Dr. Malcolm Ware from The Vet Practice & Veterinary Integrative Medicine Centre in
Whittlesea. On veterinary examination it was highlighted that Brolga had several conflicting issues resulting in his overall
decrease in performance. Because of the complexity of Brolga’s results it was suggested that further investigation was
warranted. As a veterinarian often this is where hard decisions arise. Traditionally x-rays and nerve blocks have been used to pin
point areas of significance – however this requires focusing and concentrating on one area of the horse alone. In Brolga’s case it
was evident that his issues where having an effect on his whole body and this meant he needed to be evaluated as a whole, not
just limb by limb.
The most effective way to do this is by Thermography; and that is what Brolga had
done.
Thermography is used to detect minor changes in heat radiating from the surface of the
horse. Our unique, equine specific equipment is so sensitive it can detect a discrepancy
as minor as half a degree Celsius. Thermography excels on being able to pin point
significant areas of acute or chronic inflammation, as well as distinguishing between
primary and secondary causes of lameness and pain. The inflammation being picked up
can be due to muscle tears, tendon strains, arthritis, OCD lesions, fractures, nerve
impingements and many more problems that can make our equine patients sore.
In Brolgas case a lot of information was gained from his Thermal Image report.
Brolga was found to have a dermatome pattern on his neck secondary to a nerve
impingement between vertebrae C5, C6 and C7. There was an abnormal thermal
pattern noted over both his stifles, when on veterinary examination he was found to
have pain and increased joint fluid in both stifles. On examination Brolga was found to
have increased sensitivity across his right sole, depicted on our thermal images as an
increase in the thermal pattern. Brolga’s riders noticed that Brolga did not extend and
flex his fetlocks and pasterns as he should during work. On examination he was found to
have decreased flexion in these joints. When these joints where thermal imaged the
thermal pattern was normal – we knew Brolga had degenerative disease in these joints
however the thermal image reassured us that the lesions where not “active” sites of
inflammation. The thermal pattern was significantly increased over his gluteals and sacrum – palpated as increased sensitivity on
examination – secondary to his fore quarter issues. In summary, the Thermal Image Report highlighted that we needed to focus
our efforts on Brolga’s neck, fetlock and pastern joints.
Brolga’s cervical vertebrae were x-rayed to ensure there were no nasty lesions that would inhibit us from treating Brolga. His
neck came up clear meaning we can treat the underlying nerve impingement and the degenerative joint disease in his fetlocks
and pasterns.
The most appropriate
treatment option for Brolga
was Stem Cell Therapy.
Stem Cell Therapy is using
the animals own stem cells
to repair a varying range of
diseases and ailments. These
stem cells are adult (or
somatic) stem cells, not the
highly controversial
embryonic stem cells. They
are what we call
‘multipotent’ meaning that
they have the ability to heal and regenerate several different tissue types including bone, muscle and tendon. The stem cells are
harvested from adipose tissue (fat) collected from the patient using local anaesthetic (in the horse).
The fat is processed and combined with Stromal Vascular Fraction to form a highly concentrated injectable compound of stem
cells. These stem cells are then injected into the relevant sites. In Brolga’s case stem cells were injected into both his fetlock
joints, both his pastern joints, both stifles and intravenously.
The aim of Stem Cell therapy in Brolga is to improve the joint fluid and articular surfaces in Brolga’s joints. The injectable form of
stem cells provide regenerative qualities as well as anti-inflammatory qualities. Often the best results are noticed from 90 days
post treatment, however clients have noticed results as early as one week after
treatment.
The team at Manolo Mendez Dressage were keen on Stem Cell Therapy for Brolga as we
had treated one of their other horses last year with the same therapy.
“Levi” is a 7 year old Warmblood that was diagnosed with a lesion in one of his
shoulders. Levi had significant muscle atrophy over one of his shoulders and was unable
to be ridden. For years Levi’s lameness and restriction was put down to “arthritis”.
Thanks to Dr. Malcolm Ware and Stem Cell Therapy Levi has now started his working
career and Manolo is very happy with his progress.
We wish Brolga and the team at Manolo
Mendez Dressage all the best from here
on. We look forward to keeping updated
with Brolga’s progress over the coming
months.
From left to right: Dr. Sabine Ware, Veterinary
Nurse Sarah Millis, “Brolga” and Dr. Malcolm
Ware
The Vet Practice & Veterinary Integrative
Medicine Centre Whittlesea, VIC
You can follow Brolga’s progress via our
website at www.thevetpractice.com.au
and The Vet Practice on facebook or via
Manolo Mendez Dressage on facebook.
Authors: Dr. Sabine Ware & Dr. Malcolm Ware, 2013
Above: Owner Chantelle Mathews with Brolga