The day after the general election Boris Johnson urged the UK to ‘let the healing begin’ following a divisive and turbulent period in British politics. For the sake of the nation's horses one hopes that the healing never stopped from a veterinary perspective, but a period of political calm and international cooperation does seem highly attractive following recent years. At the time of writing this editorial it is still unclear if we will have left the EU as planned at the end of January, and if so what form that exit will take. However, or whenever, we leave it is essential that future agreements and legislation facilitate the movement of goods and horses to and from the EU as well as further afield. It is essential that the veterinary profession is closely involved in advisory capacity, to ensure that high standards of welfare and biosecurity are protected, while promoting the interests of the UK equine industry that we all depend on.
Unfortunately the equine influenza outbreak emerged as a significant event for the UK equine population in 2019, leading to the suspension of racing and other competitions as well as widespread movement restrictions. Barely a week after 2020 has started, the EHV-1 outbreak in the south of the UK has served as a further reminder of the vulnerability of our equine population to infectious disease. Thankfully this recent outbreak appears to have been contained within the local area, but the inevitable social media storm that accompanies such situations is always challenging and requires a collaborative approach from the veterinary profession to provide appropriate advice.
Through these times of political and international uncertainty it is comforting to know that this latest issue of UK-Vet Equine is again filled with high-quality content. In their third article focused on the application of the Cascade, James Bailey and Mark Bowen discuss clinical decision making in the management of equine asthma, including the use of corticosteroids, bronchodilator therapies, mucolytics and mast cell stabilisers.
Liver disease in adult horses is commonly identified during investigation of non-specific clinical signs such as general malaise, lethargy or weight loss. In some cases, disease may be advanced and irreversible by the time a diagnosis is reached. Rose Tallon and Kate McGovern discuss the investigation of liver disease in the field, including serum biochemistry, tests of liver function and most importantly liver biopsy to confirm the presence of disease, guide therapeutics and provide information regarding prognosis.
The development of regenerative medicine has opened up many new therapeutic avenues in veterinary medicine. The focus of regenerative medicine in the horse lies primarily in the musculoskeletal system, where the consequences of injury and the physical features of the disease make tendinopathy a particularly desirable target for such interventions. Latterly the treatment of joint disease has also been of interest. Professor Roger Smith is a pioneer in the development of stem cell medicine, and his article discusses the use of regenerative medicine in naturally occurring tendon, ligament and joint disease in the horse.
And so, after a year marred by political uncertainty in general and Equine Influenza closer to home let us hope that the start of a new decade brings with it a period of sustained growth and stability within the equine sector and the country as a whole, from which we can all benefit.