West Nile Virus and Equine Osteoarthritis
- Amber Rieser ('11)
Monday, October 15, 2007. Representatives from Merial Limitted LC participated in a free educational seminar at Centenary College. Merial Limitted LC is a subsidiary of Merck & Co. Inc. and is responsible for the animal health division of this company. Dr. Hoyt Cheramie, DVM, MS, DACVS, and Mr. Jack Chellew provided insight into the new pharmaceutical technologies as well as career paths in the world of biomedical sales and research. The lecture was open to both the local and Centenary College community.
Dr. Hoyt Cheramie, the Manager for the Professional Veterinarian Services, presented a very thorough explanation of the horse’s immune system and how diseases such as Equine Influenza and West Nile Virus (WNV) affect this system. Dr. Cheramie explained that West Nile Virus was first introduced in the United State in 1999 although it had been identified in several other countries prior to this time period. Today in the United States, WNV is considered to be endemic, meaning that it can be found throughout the country. Horses are exquisitely sensitive to WNV and develop considerable neurological deficiencies and even death. The life-cycle of the virus involves birds and mosquitoes primarily. A mosquito infected with WNV virus will often bite a bird, causing the bird to then be infected. Another mosquito will bite the infected bird, ingest the virus, completing the circle of transmission between the bird and mosquito. Occasionally, these infected mosquitoes will deviate from the natural transmission cycle and feed on other species including horses and humans. This is how a horse or human becomes infected with WNV.
These two species of mammals are “dead-end” hosts for the disease and pose no risk to future spread of the virus to other humans or animals. Since WNV utilizes the mosquito as a vector of transmission between species, it is imperative that the horse be vaccinated prior to the mosquito season which is the highest risk of disease transmission to the horse. Merial’s Recombitek® vaccine for the WNV has proven to be extremely effective and lasting throughout the entire mosquito season. While this product is one of three vaccines available on the market today, the Recombitek® Technology produces a rapid immunological response, and can last an entire year. Since Recombitek’s® introduction into the market, horses have developed safe and effective yearly immunology protection against WNV.
After discussing some of the contagious equine diseases, Dr. Cheramie presented information on arthritis treatment for horses. Horses frequently suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system producing an abnormal gait called lameness. This lameness can originate from a multitude of different diseases. Frequently, pain is a secondary response to joint inflammation called osteoarthritis. Previously NSAIDs (Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc., have been used to treat osteoarthritis in humans. These NSAIDs stop the production of prostaglandins which produce the pain associated with the local inflammatory process. Research has identified that NSAIDs stop the prostaglandin production by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX), an enzyme required for inflammation.
More recent research has identified three COX receptors referred to as COX-1, -2, -3. Phenylbutazone (bute) has been a very effective NSAID for equine arthritis for many years. Bute, however, has been shown to produce secondary gastrointestinal and liver complications. Bute has also been shown to be a non-selective COX inhibitor meaning that it will block all of the COX receptors. It is believed that this non-selective inhibition of the COX receptors is directly responsible for the secondary complications associated with Bute. Merial has recently marketed a new treatment option for equine osteoarthritis. Merial’s, Equioxx®, is the first highly COX-1 sparing drug. This new treatment has been compared to bute and has been shown to not produce such complications. Dr. Cheramie explained that Merial’s Equioxx® is prescribed as a once daily oral paste and should help horses suffering from osteoarthritis without producing the negative side effects.
As a conclusion for the evenings educational discussions, Mr. Jack Chellew, the Mid-Atlantic Equine Sales Specialist, spoke of the opportunities available in the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Chellew discussed various career paths that are available to new graduates while also describing the various jobs he has held with his twenty plus year career with Merck. He discussed what his position entails, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of being a sales specialist.
All those who attended were extremely appreciative of Dr. Hoyt Cheramie and Mr. Jack Chellew’s educational presentations. Centenary College promotes the advancement of the horse and the equine community. The material presented at this seminar typified the curriculum and mission of the Equine Studies Department at Centenary College. Senior Equine Studies student Ms Julie Butts stated, “I found it to be very informative and tailored to the audience. It was particularly interesting to see how Merial’s product stood up to the products that the majority of horse people use every day.” The advancements made by Merial Limitted LC, as well as other companies, continue to resolve some of the medical conditions that affect the horse. Presentations such as this one, helps raise the equine community’s awareness of pharmaceutical technology and horse care.
Finding a Niche in Equine Careers.
November 14, 2007. The Equine Studies Department hosted an Equine Career Panel discussion. The panelists of the event were Mr. Gerald Castleman, a trainer from Bastrop, TX, Mrs. Katie Benson from Briarwood Farm in Readington, NJ, Ms. Annabel Bonito (Centenary class of ’04) from Resolution Farms in Long Valley, NJ, Ms. Jessica Yuritch (Centenary class of ’03) from B.W. Furlong & Associates Veterinary Clinic in Oldwick, NJ, and Mr. John Ryan from Fort Dodge Pharmaceuticals.
Over fifty Equine Studies students attended the two hour event held in the Chapel of the Seay Building. The panel offered information to students who were interested in the career opportunities offered by the equine industry.
All of the panelists discussed their views and opinions on being a successful equine profession from their unique occupational perspective. Students posed pointed questions to the panelists as to how they could achieve success within the industry while learning the various careers that are possible.
The panelists were picked by the Equine Studies Department as experts within their field and to represent the various concentrations by the Equine Studies Curriculum at Centenary College. All of those who attended have a new and/or revitalized viewpoint on how a Bachelors of Science Degree in Equine Studies from Centenary College will aid them in their career paths within the equine industry.
A Riding Lesson – A Life Lesson. Olympic Medalist Visits Centenary.
- Three-time Olympic medalist and guest Equine lecturer, Michael O. Page.
- by Coree Reuter (’08)
The worn, black-leather jacket emblazoned with the Olympic rings spoke clearly of the many adventures the man has had in his life. He represents a life dedicated to the horse – a life spent learning how to ride and care for the magnificent animals. The life is one many aspire to achieve. Now, that man gives back to the industry by becoming a passionate teacher: he passes on his knowledge to those who may follow. The man is three-time Olympic medalist, Michael O. Page
During his final 1968 Olympic competition in Mexico, Page was one of the few riders to have a flawless cross-country round. Shortly after Page finished that event, torrential rains significantly effected the course by flooding the water jump, creating course related faults, and contributing to two equine fatalities due to drowning. While Page acknowledged that the circumstances were fortunate for him compared to his other competitors, he states that: “I’m gonna put it in the bank and enjoy riding for the rest of my life. I think I am lucky every day when I ride.”
During a 90-minute lecture at Centenary College on November 9, 2006, Page referred to articles written by Gabriella Salick, an equine journalist, and George H. Morris, the guru of hunt seat equitation. “The only reason I do clinics is because I want students to have the benefit of the experiences I have had,” said Page. “I enjoy coming to the College, not because I have anything brilliant to say, but because other people have said brilliant things and I want to share them.”
Following the lecture, Page conducted a series of lessons – the ring quiet except for the cadence of the seven horses that danced underneath their riders. Faces, red from exertion, broke into periodic smiles at Page’s various remarks. “Your horse just winked at me,” he said. “You just rode bet-ter! Believe in the fundamentals! No pain, no gain!” He consistently encouraged the riders that were struggling. “Bet-ter, bet-ter! That is how you learn to ride, by riding!”
“That becomes valuable! Just sit in the middle and put your leg on,” he said as one pair had difficulty with a hay-bale jump -- eventually making it right. “That’s bet-ter, you learned to ride that horse!”
At the end of each hour-and-a-half session, each rider, although tired, wore a satisfied smile. “It’s great to have someone who will encourage you even when you make a mistake,” said a Centenary student. “A lot of clinicians just beat on you, but Michael Page makes you feel like you can accomplish something in your riding.”
“I don’t want you to feel that you can’t achieve it, I want you to know that you can, but you need to understand the reality of it,” Page said. “Every horse is different. The more horses you ride, the more you will learn. When you have good horses and good instructors, it is important to use them to amplify your knowledge.” Page was adamant that broader knowledge will equal more intelligent choices, and fundamentally, the horses will come to appreciate the rider. He said that the more the rider understands, the farther the rider will go and the better they will become. A rider needs need to ride as much as possible. If a rider can’t ride as often as they would like, they need to make the most out of the time they have. According to Page, riding better is more important than winning!
Another concept of Page was that the more you learn how to ride, the more a rider believes in themselves and trust their horse. “You have to find a way to achieve who you are and be happy with it. Realistically decide what opportunities will help you become who and what you want to be! You have to have the respect of whatever horse you are riding, regardless of your level.”
At the end of it all, Page insisted and encouraged each student to discover their potential. “I’m not saying you should all become Olympic riders,” he said. “I’m saying you should become the best you can.”
Tara Johnson, instructor of Equine Studies at Centenary College, credited the success of this clinic to Page’s positive attitude. “I feel that students should try to get as much information and input as they can from qualified professionals, such as Michael Page. Even if students hear the same thing from their daily instructor, it sometimes has greater meaning from a different voice or in a new presentation. It is important to realize that there are many ways to get from A-Z.”
Page said that the most rewarding part of teaching clinics was seeing the light bulb illuminate in students about the reality of what they have to do to be successful. “Opportunities exist for anyone who is willing to pay the price,” Page said. “The price you are paying is giving you something you want, but you have to have a passion for achieving it.”
“If you really put something valid of who you are into your riding, then your riding will become something valid for the rest of your lives,” Page said to the group. “You have to get on a horse and think that it is the best thing that has ever happened to you.”