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 Fiancée 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).