A former intern at the Equine Veterinary Medical Centre (EVMC), a Qatar Foundation entity, has conducted a research offering a new treatment avenue for horses and equine surgeons facing a rare skeletal condition.
The study was published in Veterinary Surgery, a world-renowned scientific journal.
Dr Machiel Ysebaert was an intern at EVMC from 2019-2020 and took part in a 12-month post-graduate veterinary teaching programme dedicated to young veterinarians with a desire to specialise in equine diagnostics and therapeutics.
The programme saw six interns from Belgium, Pakistan, Portugal, France, and Qatar.
Dr Ysebaert and the EVMC surgical team, led by Dr Florent David, head of the Surgery and Sports Medicine service at EVMC, were presented with a rare case of a benign bone tumour interfering with the navicular bone, located close to the foot.
The latest diagnostic imaging technologies were used to assess the foal and identify the clinical condition.
Utilising advanced surgical techniques and equipment, the team was able to successfully remove, by arthroscopy, the bone and cartilage overgrowth using a new approach.
Supported by the EVMC team, and in collaboration with Al Shaqab Breeding and Show Department, the paper was co-authored by Dr Jessica Johnson, equine surgeon; Dr Ghazanfar Abbas, intern; Rodney King, master farrier; Dr Masa Oikawa, pathologist and Dr Sarah Puchalski, offsite equine radiologist.
Dr David said: “Combining a high level of clinical skills, we have been able to not only save this foal but to give it a true chance to have a completely normal life after surgery.
"This is EVMC’s primary role and I cannot be happier to have been able to offer this level of expertise in Qatar in such record-time – EVMC only opened its door in the second half of 2018.
"Our secondary role is to disseminate what we do best.
"Now, equine surgeons around the world, facing this same condition, should be able to offer their clients a surgical option leading to a fantastic outcome by accessing our publication.”
EVMC internships are offered at EVMC annually and are a one-year educational programme where young veterinarians are provided with a broad exposure to equine veterinary medicine.
Interns rotate through different services, including anesthesia, surgery, internal medicine, reproduction, sports medicine, and rehabilitation.
A research project is assigned to each intern to be completed during the year.
Since its creation two years ago, EVMC has received a high international interest with more than 80 applications per year from all over the globe.
Dr Tatiana Vinardell, head of research and education at EVMC, added, “This accomplishment positions EVMC in the international veterinary scene, following two years of hard work developing our clinical, educational, and research services.
"We are establishing ourselves as leaders in the Middle East in terms of educational veterinary programmes with an integrative research aspect of the internship.”
 
 
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