Volume 4 Issue 3

                                                                                            I’VE GOT PEOPLE

The change that has taken place in the Medical, and Veterinary field over the last several years is absolutely staggering.  New and innovative procedures are happening at such a rapid rate, that it’s sometimes difficult to keep up with them.  Procedures that in the past took several months for the horse to heal, now are taking weeks instead.

The following interview is one such procedure. The surgery in the following interview, is for ligament repair, and is called “A” Cellular Bone Marrow Injection [meaning there are no cells, just serum].  It is an Autogoneous procedure, [meaning from within in the recipient’s own body].

In the past, the traditional treatment was cold-water therapy, icing, sweat wraps, massage, bute, and stall rest.  Typically, the recovery time to get the horse to the point where he could be walked under saddle was four to six months.  With this new technique, it is possible to walk the horse under saddle in as little as sixty days.

Even this new technique is making rapid improvements for the horse’s benefit.  In as few as two years ago, the horses were “put out” for the surgery, the ligament was exposed, and the bone marrow, which is extracted from the horse’s sternum, was injected directly into the exposed ligament.  Today, while that method is still being used….usually on hind legs as there is so much more tissue to penetrate….. the usual procedure is to allow the horse to stay standing.  This allows for easier extraction of the bone marrow, is less traumatic for the horse, and is no more invasive than an injection into a joint.

After the bone marrow is extracted from the sternum, using ultra sound equipment to ensure the correct location for the needle, the bone marrow is put into vial, and then into a centrifuge machine to separate the bone marrow from the bone marrow serum.  The serum is much easier to inject into the ligament site than the whole bone marrow, which also has a tendency to clot.  To the serum, prior to injection, an antibiotic is added, to help prevent possible infection.  Once the serum is ready for injection, the Dr. uses the ultra sound again, to help give pinpoint accuracy for the actual injection.

After the injection of the bone marrow serum, the leg is bandaged with a pressure wrap, to help alleviate any swelling, which may occur at the injection sight, and is usually left on for approximately one week.  The beautiful part of this procedure is that the horse can start hand walking the very next day, which invariable helps to reduce the chances of secondary issues.

The interview for this procedure was conducted with Dr. Mark Secor DVM.  Dr. Secor graduated from U. C Davis in 1984, has completed the Equine Chiropractic Course, and is a member in good standing with ISELP [International Society of Equine Locomotional Pathology].  Dr. Secor is wonderful humanitarian.
He consistently gives back to the community with donations to benefit horse shows, as well being on call for our local Swallows Day Parade, just to mention a few.  I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Secor for many years, and admire him greatly.

ALWAYS REMEMBER…WHEN IN DOUBT….CALL YOUR VET


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© Wendy Teddiman, Trainer (wen-dacres@cox.net) 949-357-8040

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