Thursday, April 8, 2010

Interview with Dr. Bramlage

This week we are interviewing Dr. Bramlage. Dr. Bramlage is one of our surgeons with a special interest in orthopedics. He is very involved with the Thoroughred racing industry and is the veterinary media contact for the Triple Crown and Breeders Cup races. He has been president of two major veterinaray organizations, The American College of Veterinary Surgeons and The American Association of Equine Practioners.

Dr. Bramlage is heavily involved in research, mentoring younger associates in scientific study. Recent work has included analysis of base sesamoid fragments in yearling Thoroughbreds and surgical correction of carpal (knee) angular limb deformities. We will keep you posted on these topics and many others as they become published.

At what age did you know you were going to become a veterinarian?
I guess I "knew" the day I graduated from veterinary school, but I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian starting when I was a junior in high school. As part of the fall school curriculum we had to produce a desired career path. I chose veterinary medicine. My father worked for a cattle company, so it was not a very big stretch.

When did you realize you have a special interest in racehorses?
January of my junior year in veterinary school. That is the first time I spent a morning on the backside of a racetrack watching the horses train. I didn't know if I would ever realize my dream, but that is when I first wanted to work on Thoroughbred racehorses.

Is there any organization which you haven't already been president of that you wish you were?
No, the only two professional organizations I wanted to be president of were the AAEP and the ACVS. I have no desire to be president of any other professional organization. I was president of my college fraternity, I wanted to do that. I ran for president of my high school class, but lost. Does that count? Then I guess that would be it.

Favorite racehorse of all time?
Personal Ensign is the winner. I think she was awesome. She did a lot for my credibility; at that time it was not usual to put screws in a horse and expect them to race. Now we do it routinely, but in 1986 it was not an expected result. However, Rachel Alexandra would be second by a neck. The end of her story is yet to be written.

Career highlight thus far?
The Breeders Cup Distaff 1988, when Personal Ensign ran down Winning Colors in the last stride. Accepting the AAEP Presidency, giving the Milne Lecture,

Favorite color? Red

What do you do for stress relief?
Work on our little farm. It was really in disrepair; making it better is very relaxing to me.

Favorite quote?
"To be an orthopedic surgeon you must think like a bone and feel like a joint."

Most rewarding aspect of your profession?
Solving a very difficult surgical problem for a horse and owner. Helping a junior associate present and publish their first paper. Creating new Information and treatments, and documenting their success.

Advice to young veterinarians?
Choose your first mentor carefully. If you surround yourself with people who excel you will begin to think with the same mindset.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

183 days to go!

There are only 183 days until the launch of the World Equestrian Games (WEG) here in Lexington, Kentucky! This month in the WEG newsletter our own Dr. Vern Dryden discusses Navicular Syndrome. Dr. Dryden is an associate in the podiatry department. He graduated from Washington State University in 2007. Dr Dryden is also a certified journeyman farrier (2009).

Below is a link to this informative article:


In the last week we have had an insight into the podiatry department. Next week we are going surgical! We will have an interview with one of our well-known surgeons (you may have seen him on television before), and update you on some new research in the area. Stay tuned!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Using Oral Hyaluronic Acid in Horses


Oral forms of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) are used by many of our clients. Two veterinarians from our practice, Drs. Pierce and Bramlage, completed a study on the use of oral HA for post-operative tarsal effusion in yearling Thoroughbreds. This paper was published by the Equine Veterinary Journal in 2006. Below is a link to the full-text article.


Other studies on equine oral joints supplements can be found at:


I hope this helps!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Pasture Associated Laminitis

This week’s veterinary spotlight is on Dr. Raul Bras! Dr. Bras is part of our excellent podiatry team.


Here was a little Q & A session with Dr. Bras…

Where are you originally from?

Puerto Rico

When did you know you wanted to be a veterinarian?

Since I can remember. I think I was born with it. Both my brother and sister are also veterinarians.

Where did you undertake your training?

I did my undergraduate degree in Science at Louisiana State University. I went to veterinary school at Ross University in the Caribbean and did my final clinical year at Auburn University in Alabama.

How did you become interested in podiatry?

I completed a hospital internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in 2005-2006 with my twin brother. It was during this time I really gained an interest in podiatry. I was offered a position in the podiatry department at Rood and Riddle after completion of my internship and jumped at the chance. During my first year in podiatry I attended the Cornell Farrier School under Mike Wildenstein. This is a 16 week program that covers in-depth anatomy, the fundamentals of shoeing and shoe fabrication. In 2009 I became a certified farrier. I am currently training to undertake the examinations to become a certified journeyman farrier.

Describe yourself in one word.

Dedicated

It is clear you have a passion for podiatry. Do you have an area of specific interest?

Laminitis, however I enjoy all aspects of general podiatry and hoof care.

Who have been your greatest mentor(s)?

Dr. Scott Morrison and Mike Wildenstein

What is one thing people may not know about you?

I have two sisters who are twins and I have a twin brother. I also grew up raising and showing Paso Fino horses.

Have you been doing any research recently?

I presented a paper at the American Association of Equine Practioners annual conference in 2009 called; ‘Retrospective Case Series of 20 Horses (2002-2009) Sustaining Puncture Wounds to the Navicular Bursa With Maggot Debridement Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment’. (The Horse magazine has an article on this: http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=15921)

I am currently looking at distal check and inferior check ligament desmotomies in racehorses.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

We are going to be travelling to Ocala, Florida regularly this year. Please call our office for more information on this.

Anything else going on?

I am getting married to my FiancĂ©e Katie in May…


Thanks Dr. Bras for allowing us to learn a little more about you! Congratulations on that wedding!

Attached is a link to an article written by Dr. Bras on pasture associated laminitis. It is on page 9 of the KEEP newsletter

http://www.horseswork.com/pdf/2009/keep_newsletter_06-09_07-09.pdf

KEEP stands for Kentucky Equine Education Program. The program’s mission is to increase the awareness of the benefits of Kentucky’s horse economy and to promote jobs and economic opportunities. Please visit their site for more information http://www.horseswork.com/news.php.

Below is a radiograph (x-ray) of a normal foot. This view is looking from the side of the foot (from outside to inside). This horse still has it's shoe on.



Below are several radiographs of horses suffering from founder (laminitis). The first 2 views are from the side and the last view is looking from the front (front to back).