Upcoming New Bolton Lecture Focuses on Laminitis

Laminitis, the number-two killer of horses after colic, continues to have an enormous impact on equine welfare, in wide and varied circumstances. Dr. Andrew van Eps, Associate Professor of Equine Musculoskeletal Research at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, will discuss different approaches for successful prevention and treatment of laminitis, as part of the First Tuesday Lecture series May 2. 

 

The presentation, "Laminitis: Why Does It Occur? How Can We Better Manage It?" will take place at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 2 in New Bolton Center's Alumni Hall, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, Penn. The lecture is free and open to the public. Due to limited seating, reservations are recommended and can be made by contacting Barbara Belt at beltb@vet.upenn.edu.

 

It wasn't until recently that researchers and veterinary clinicians acknowledged that there are different forms of laminitis, and that these forms have different inciting factors and mechanisms, and therefore might require different approaches for successful prevention and treatment. What about the pony that becomes lame every time he sniffs fresh grass? How about the champion racehorse with a painful injury in one limb? Or the mare that has failed to pass her placenta after foaling? Van Eps will discuss recent advances in understanding laminitis, why it occurs in different situations, and what can be done to prevent and treat it.

 

Renowned for his research on equine laminitis, van Eps joined the faculty of Penn Vet's New Bolton Center in December. A seasoned clinician and equine researcher of international caliber, his work focuses on improving the understanding, prevention, and treatment of equine laminitis and other musculoskeletal diseases. In addition, van Eps is working to solve supporting-limb laminitis, the type that led to the death of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro, who was treated at New Bolton Center for a catastrophic leg fracture during the Preakness Stakes that year. Van Eps has co-authored nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications along with 15 additional publications and has been a co-investigator on 15 research grants. He's given more than 60 presentations, primarily on topics related to laminitis, in places from Hong Kong to Palm Beach. 

Van Eps received his veterinary degree (BVSc) and PhD from The University of Queensland in Australia, where he served as Director of the Equine Hospital and Associate Professor of Equine Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at New Bolton Center in 2008 and is board-certified in large animal internal medicine.