Gordon Woods, Mule Cloning Researcher, Has Died

One of the most ironically but fitting aspects of the advent of equine cloning in the United States is that the pioneer clones were not graceful show horses or robust athletes but champion racing mules from the Northwest who received genes not just for racing but for personality of their species.

Pioneering scientists who wanted to be taken seriously were always a bit in danger of being upstaged by their product.

One of those pioneers died this week. Dr Gordon Woods led the team at the University of Idaho that produced the world’s first equine clone – a perfect mule foal named Idaho Gem – on May 4, 2003. Idaho Gem’s brothers – Utah Pioneer and Idaho Star – were born later that year. The accomplishment thrust the team’s research onto the international stage.

As scientifically and commercially significant as the cloning was to the horse industry, Dr. Woods was most excited about further exploring the connection between the cellular biology that led to the clone success and the cellular activity associated with age-onset diseases in humans such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease. After the cloning project, he continued to use the horse as a model for better understanding human health, and moved on to Colorado State University, where he was working at the time of his death.

Dr Woods earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree at Colorado State University in 1975 and completed his residency in large animal reproduction at the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center. He then enrolled at the University of Wisconsin where he worked with Dr. O.J. Ginther and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in reproductive biology. He joined the faculty of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 1983 as an assistant professor.

He returned to Idaho in 1986, founding the Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory and teaching at Washington State University and later at the University of Idaho where he served as a professor in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science. In 2007, he moved his program to Colorado State.

He founded a private company, CancEr2, to explore basic research on the physiological bases of cancer and also served as president of EquinE2, a company created to commercialize horse reproduction technology and was a principal in another company, ClonE2, which was formed to offer horse cloning services commercially.

Donations in Dr Woods' memory may be sent to a fund at "Colorado 4-H Foundation/OMK," Colorado State University Extension, 4040 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins CO 80523-4040.

Thanks to Colorado State University for their help with this news. I remember when all three of the cloned mules were going to run in the same race. I'm very sorry to hear that we've lost Dr. Woods, after having written so many articles about his work and the mules. He truly was a pioneer.

Health Alert: Pigeon Fever Cases Increase in Colorado

Horse owners should be extra vigilant for signs of pigeon fever in their horses, according to Colorado State University veterinarians at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A spike in reported cases of this infectious disease has been reported in the state's Front Range region.

This highly contagious disease is also called pigeon breast, breastbone fever, false strangles, dryland strangles or dryland distemper. Signs of pigeon fever can initially resemble those of other diseases such as strangles. Sometimes the only initial signs are lameness and a reluctance to move.

Other signs include lameness, fever, lethargy and weight loss. There may also be very deep abscesses and multiple sores along the horses’ chest, midline and groin area. Abscesses in other areas such as the back, flank or ears have been seen but internal abscesses are rare. Horses can be infected for several weeks before developing signs of the disease, especially abscesses.

The disease, which can be fatal, is caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The bacteria live in the soil and can enter the animal’s body through wounds, broken skin or mucous membranes. Research also indicates that the disease may be spread through flies, especially cattle horn flies. These are biting flies that tend to feed under the belly of the horse. The flies transmit the bacteria from horse to horse when they have been in contact with pus draining from abscesses. Bacteria in drained puss can survive up to 55 days in the environment.

Pigeon fever can affect a horse of any age, sex or breed, but it usually attacks young adult animals. Humans cannot catch pigeon fever, but they can spread it from horse to horse because the bacteria can be carried on shoes, clothing, hands or barn tools. Any horse showing signs of pigeon fever should be isolated to prevent spread to other animals. Areas where infected horses are held must be properly cleaned and completely disinfected.

The disease is treated with hot packs or poultices that are applied to abscesses. Open abscesses are drained and regularly flushed with saline. Veterinarians may need to lance deep abscesses. Veterinarians will also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to control swelling and pain and sometimes an antibiotic will be prescribed. Antibiotic usage before the abscesses have been drained may prolong the course of the disease.

Horses with the disease usually recover within a few weeks with proper treatment. If caught early and treated properly, horses usually make a complete recovery, although the disease may reoccur in some horses.

Thanks to Colorado State University for their diligence in alerting horse owners in the area to health risks and concerns.

Colorado State University Announces Highest Honor Will Go to Equine Researcher McIlwraith

by Fran Jurga | 29 April 2009 | The Jurga Report

Equine researchers may be horsehold names among readers of magazines like EQUUS, but it is not every day that they receive high honors for their work in the larger sphere of academia. But that is exactly what is happening today at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

If you read EQUUS or any of the Equine Network publications, you have read about the research of Colorado State's remarkable orthopedics lab and its prolific director, C. Wayne McIlwraith BVSc, PhD, FRCVS, DSc, Dr. med vet (hc), Diplomate ACVS . There's even a good chance that your own horse may have benefited from techniques and studies that began in Dr. McIlwraith's lab...or in his fertile mind.

Today, Dr. McIlwraith is one of three science professors at the huge university who will add yet another title to his list: University Distinguished Professor.

Collectively, the university told us today, these three world-renowned professors have made great strides in diverse fields of science, while simultaneously garnering more than $100 million in research grants, teaching hundreds of students who now make contributions around the world, and influencing scientific thought in their field.

The rank of University Distinguished Professor is a lifetime award and carries over into retirement as an Emeritus Professor.

Dr. McIlwraith is professor of surgery and director of Colorado State University's Gail E. Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center. The center, which is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, treats orthopedic injuries of the world's finest horses and investigates orthopedic treatments and preventative medicine. Many of the innovations at the Equine Orthopaedic Research Center also can be applied to human medicine.

Dr. McIlwraith joined Colorado State in 1979 in the Department of Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences as an equine surgeon with a research focus in orthopedics. He is a native of New Zealand, and is currently active in almost every area of orthopedic research, from studying treatments for surgical repair of bone and tendon injuries, to the treatment and prevention of arthritis to the study of racetrack surfaces and even to statistical studies of breakdown injuries in racehorses.

Amazing Photo: A Lucky Day for One Off-Road Equine

by Fran Jurga | 24 March 2009 | The Jurga Report at Equisearch.com

Hello in there? Rescuers on Interstate 70 near Vail, Colorado spoke to a horse trapped inside this upended trailer. The accident was a result of a tire blowout that separated the trailer from the truck hauling it. Rescuers cut a flap in the trailer's roof and the horse walked out into the snow. Click here to read the full story in the Vail Daily.

Severe Weather Tips for Horse Owners

I can't believe the news this weekend. In fact, I can't remember a time when weather-related tragedies have been so consistently in the news. My heart goes out to everyone in Iowa's floods and California's fires. I know there are horses in these places, and I hope everyone was prepared, although it sounds like the people in Iowa had no way of knowing the danger they were in.

So, it could happen to any of us, anytime.

After the recent tornado in Windsor, Colorado, veterinarians at Colorado State University compiled a list of simple hints and advice for horse owners in the event of a serious weather event or natural disaster in which horses are injured:

- Right now, not during an emergency, make contact with neighbors and be sure everyone has multiple halters, leads, ropes and first-aid kits on hand.

- First-aid kits should be stocked with bandage materials to treat lacerations and stop any bleeding while waiting for veterinarians to arrive.

- Have pain medications on hand such as Phenylbutazone (bute) or Banamine.

- Make sure horses are current on their vaccines, especially tetanus.

- If your horse is injured, call your local veterinarian to evaluate your horse and treat him on the farm if possible.

- If a wound or wounds are bleeding excessively, a wound is over a joint, a horse will not bear weight on one of its limbs, or the horse is showing signs of severe lameness, the horse may need to be hospitalized for treatment.

- Shock and dehydration is another concern during emergencies. Horses that are shaking or that are severely dehydrated may need IV fluids and hospitalization.

To that list, I would recommend buying a couple of good first-aid books...and reading them. (First aid for horses AND first aid for humans!) Also check with your local fire department for any recommendations that they have for evacuation routes or protocols for heavy snow, fires, bridge closures, etc. that might affect how you can transport your animals to a vet clinic or to a safe haven if needed.

It goes without saying that horses need to be schooled so they will load and unload quickly and quietly, whether by you or a stranger. Don't put that training off, even if you don't own a trailer.

Plan now. Just look at the news any night. It could be your horse running down the road away from a fire, or your horse swimming in the floods. Don't let that happen, if you possibly can!