Needles for what ails your equine companion

By Anna F. Telken, Veterinary Technology major, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture

When most people hear the word “acupuncture” they think of a human lying on his stomach with needles sticking out of his back. But people should get ready to picture a horse instead. Acupuncture, which has been used to treat a variety of health conditions and ailments since it was introduced in the West, is not just for humans with aches and pains anymore. It is now taking a place in the veterinary medicine and equine industries.

One internet Web site tells the story of a one-month-old foal in central California that got kicked in the face and suffered from great pain. His face began to swell, and he began to show signs of facial paralysis. He was also having a difficult time nursing as a result. The veterinarian who was contacted arrived to discover that the boney cavity that contained the baby horse’s eye had been fractured. The veterinarian and the owner made a decision together to perform acupuncture on the animal to help relieve the pain and reverse the facial paralysis. Five minutes after the acupuncture procedure began they could see a marked improvement, and the foal fell asleep in the handler’s arms. Two days later the signs of injury were gone. The foal was back to his normal, healthy self.

In another case, in January of 1993, a normal, healthy colt was born. This young horse developed a guttural pouch that was swollen and infected. Paralysis of the throat eventually developed which kept the young colt from eating and drinking normally. Everything, including surgery, was tried to reverse the condition. Plans were made to euthanize the colt, but as a last result the family contacted a veterinary acupuncturist. After subsequent treatments, the colt made a complete recovery and has grown into a healthy adult.

These stories may seem too incredible to be true, but they demonstrate the remarkable possibilities of an ancient practice.

The Beginning of Acupuncture

Human acupuncture has been around for over 5,000 years and is said to have begun with Chinese warriors that were struck by an arrow during war times and were healed of ailments and diseases that had troubled them prior to being struck. Acupuncture was not widely recognized in the West until the popularity of alternative medicines came about in the 1960s. Many people saw it as a form of superstition and even laughed at the idea of being stuck with needles to cure ailments and relieve pain until 1972, when a reporter for the New York Times, James Reston, wrote a well-publicized story for the New York Times. Reston was visiting Peking, China, when he needed to have his appendix removed in an emergency surgery. After the operation, he experienced intense pain. A Chinese acupuncturist was sent to ease his discomfort. Three needles were inserted into his right elbow and one inserted below each knee. Reston reported his acupuncture experience as causing a “noticeable relaxation of the pressure and distension within an hour and no recurrence of the problem hereafter.” The front-page story created a frenzy of demand for acupuncture from people wanting an alternative treatment to their own ailments and diseases. Medical doctors began to realize that people were beginning to take acupuncture seriously and were willing to pay for the service, and they began to learn the technique.

Photo by Dr. Caitlin Darro, Medicine Valley Vet Hospital

Animal acupuncture also started with the Chinese. The Chinese began using acupuncture with the domesticated animals thousands of years ago. Once human acupuncture became popular in the United States, an organization called the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) was established with the goal to completely combine acupuncture with Western veterinary medicine.
Since the introduction of veterinary acupuncture, horse owners have shown a rise of great interest in veterinary acupuncture for the equine industry. The understanding of how acupuncture works and the conditions it can be used for has greatly risen as well, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Further research is required to uncover all of acupuncture’s effects and real uses in veterinary medicine.

Why and How Acupuncture Works.

There are many theories as to why and how acupuncture works. Traditional Chinese medicine supports the theory that there are specific, predetermined points, called acupuncture points, which are connected through pathways called channels or meridians in the body. The body’s vital energy circulates in a predetermined course through these meridians every twenty-four hours just under the surface of the skin. When dysfunction or disease occurs, a blockage of energy circulation can also occur. Blocked energy can manifest itself as painful spasms, weakness, or swelling. According to traditional Chinese medicine, in order to bring the body into balance and begin the healing process, it is essential to sedate or stimulate the energy levels at acupuncture points. The Chinese believe that one of the ways to accomplish this is through the use of acupuncture needles.

Another theory of why acupuncture works, according to the Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, is the Gate Theory. This theory involves neurons and the transmission of pain. Different types of neurons transmit pain, and when an acupuncture needle is inserted, myelinated nerve fibers (nerve fibers with a sheath around them that serve as a type of insulation) relay a message to the spinal cord. The pain transmitters are released and taken up by interneurons. When the impulse from the unmyelinated nerve fibers cause a release of transmission by the acupuncture needle, the interneurons are full and the “gate” is closed to that transmission with no pain message being passed on to the brain. Sources also mention the Bioelectric Theory. This theory was brought forth in 1976 and proposed that the healing and pain managing properties of acupuncture are based on a direct electric current. Electrical signals are created and transmitted by Schwann cells (a cell of the peripheral nervous system that wrap around a nerve fiber and form a protective, insulated sheath), satellite cells, and Glial cells in the body. Acupuncture points would amplify and boost the direct current along nerve pathways and the insertion of metal acupuncture needles would short circuit the direct current system and block the perception of pain.

Caitlin Daro, DVM, and certified equine acupuncture specialist at Medicine Valley Vet Clinic in Nebraska, describes the procedure this way: “Acupuncture is a system derived from ancient Chinese medicine that uses needles inserted into specific points on the skin to communicate with the nervous system to inhibit pain and increase overall wellness.” According to the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, studies have shown that certain physiological changes in the body can be affected by acupuncture and can assist the body during the healing process and to help maintain health and wellness. It has been proven, they claim, that acupuncture can release endorphins and cortical. Endorphins are morphine-like hormones released from the brain that raise the pain threshold and produce sedation and euphoria. Cortisol is a natural steroid produced by the body that has anti-inflammatory effects that can assist with pain management. The society also claims acupuncture can also stimulate nerves, relieve muscle spasms and increase blood circulation.

Conditions Acupuncture Can be Used For

What can acupuncture be used for? It depends, says Daro. “We want to make them feel better. We want to decrease their amount of pain. We also want to increase their amount of functionality. Those are good goals.” The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society says acupuncture is indicated mainly for functional problems that involve paralysis, non-infectious inflammation, and pain. Musculoskeletal problems, such as sore backs; nervous system problems, such as facial paralysis; respiratory problems, such as heaves or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and skin problems, such as allergic dermatitis, are some of the general conditions that may be applied to horses and acupuncture treatment. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Association also says that if a horse is involved in any athletic endeavor, such as barrel racing, roping, jumping, showing, or ranch work, regular acupuncture treatments can help keep muscles and tendons resistant to injury as well as treat minor sports and work injuries as they occur. A major benefit of acupuncture treatment, in regards to performance horses, is that there are no drugs used to manage pain. If a performance horse is treated with drugs it can be banned from competition.

However, there are a few conditions that have proven to respond poorly to acupuncture treatment. According to methods of healing.com. Malignant tumors, end stage organ failure, and irreparable fracture will possibly worsen if acupuncture is administered. Dr. Daro also states that acupuncture should never be performed on pregnant mares. “There are certain points on pregnant mares that can actually induce parturition, the act of giving birth.” The Veterinary Acupuncture Association recommends only a licensed veterinarian certified in veterinary acupuncture perform acupuncture to avoid potential problems and ensure the horse receives optimal, safe treatment.

Acupuncture and the Procedure

Indications for acupuncture treatment are diverse, and there are several techniques used to exert the effects of acupuncture. The Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians lists some of these techniques. To name a few, there is aqua puncture (the injection of a solution in an acupuncture point) and electro-acupuncture (the passing of electrical energy into acupuncture points via an electronic device connected to inserted needles) and moxibustion (the burning of dried leaves from a mugwort plant placed on a moxa stick that is moved slowly over an acupuncture point or inserted into a needle). The most widely known technique is dry needling. Dry needling consists of 25 to 36-gauge stainless steel needles that can be up to four inches long. The needles come sterile, prepackaged and are discarded after each treatment. The procedure can range from five to thirty minutes depending on the condition of the horse. The horse will have to go through a thorough physical examination prior to the treatment.

Veterinary acupuncturists begin this exam by observing the horse as a whole to identify problem areas, not just the part of the body that is injured. Daro states that along with the acupuncture exam, she performs a lameness exam to identify exactly what they are treating and why. The large muscle groups and acupuncture points are palpated to identify the potential problem areas and the needles are gently placed a quarter to a half inch into these points. Every five to ten minutes the needles are gently rotated between the fingers to stimulate the points. The more problem areas a horse has the longer the procedure. Results of the exam, in regards to recovery, can vary depending on the horse. “Sometimes you can see results right away, other horses it takes two or three days to get the full effect of that treatment,” Daro says, “still others you may have to treat once a week for six weeks before you see any improvement. A lot of it is dependent on the individual and what the issue is.”

The Horse’s Response to the Treatment

When one thinks of the act of placing needles into various areas of a horse’s body, one might wonder how this is accomplished without incident, especially with a needle-shy horse.

There is cause for concern in regards to restraint and the safety of everyone involved, including the horse. Daro’s preferred method for restraint is usually just to have a handler hold the horse. “Most horses actually enjoy it,” she says. “It feels good. The endorphin release feels pleasant for them.” Sometimes the initial treatment can be less enjoyable for the animal, “but definitely in subsequent treatments the horses relax. If they had a hard time with the first treatment a lot of times I will put them in the stocks so they can’t get away or hurt me or whoever,” said Daro, adding that if the patient is really difficult the horse can be sedated but that can inhibit its reaction to the exam. Sedation also makes it more difficult to identify the acupuncture points that need to be treated because the veterinarian can’t see where the animal is sore.

Qualifications to become an Acupuncturist

Acupuncture is a complex treatment. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society says that in most countries, including the United States, licensed veterinarians are the only people that may legally perform an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is considered a surgical procedure and a veterinarian is in the best position to diagnose an animal with health issues and determine whether an animal will benefit from any form of treatment. Extensive veterinarian acupuncture education should be undertaken by a veterinarian. This is a necessity in order to be considered competent in the practice of acupuncture. Many of the courses offered teach a background of the fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Method and the scientific basis and application of acupuncture. When Daro was a senior in veterinary school, she attended the Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians Course. “It was taught by a veterinarian and a doctor of osteopathy. The acupuncture students did learn about the Chinese medicine, but there has been a lot of research that has been more evidence based in terms of how acupuncture actually works. It made a lot more sense to me in terms of ‘here’s why it works,’ because it releases endorphins or it communicates with the spinal cord and the brain.”

Skeptics still raise their eyebrows over veterinary acupuncture; however, interest has been taken by many horse owners. The veterinary community is paying attention, and considers the possibilities real. There are already several credited equine associations, such as the American Association of Equine Practitioners, that support veterinary acupuncture. The well-regarded American Veterinary Medical Association, which has the objective to advance the science and art of veterinary medicine, sees acupuncture as a “valid modality.” Millions of humans utilize acupuncture treatments for a variety of ailments. As popularity remains high, many people are asking, why not apply it to veterinary medicine?

Managing your horse on a tight budget

Dr. Patricia A. Evans Director, Equine Sciences Scottsdale Community College

Most horse owners do not own horses as a business, or with expectations of generating household income from them. Rather, owners are more intent on maximizing the amount of pleasure or involvement per dollar spent. Saving money when it comes to horse ownership is always important but even more so when the economy is down and people are struggling with everyday bills. Keeping a horse healthy is a very important part of keeping costs down.

Weight tapes are used to get an estimate of the horse's weight for medications and de-worming. Some tapes go behind the elbow and over the top of the withers while others, like this one, go behind the elbow and withers. Reading instructions for proper use is important.

Veterinary Care
Veterinary care can be an expensive part of horse ownership but owners can help keep this cost down. Having a good working relationship with the local veterinarian so he or she understands what the owners can handle will help reduce the vet visits and aftercare. Taking an active interest and being involved with the daily care of a horse needing wound or medical therapy can increase owners’ daily interaction with their horse and their practical knowledge.

Caring for leg wounds that require wrapping can be expensive if the vet is involved on a regular basis. If vet wrap, Elastikon and cotton sheeting are used and changed on a daily basis, it can be expensive. Instead, the owner can save money by caring for the wound his or herself with veterinary direction and using quilts and polos, which can be washed and reused instead of thrown away like adhesive wraps and cotton sheeting.

Learning to give intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) shots will allow you to give vaccinations and any medications the vet may prescribe for a more serious problem. Work up a management plan with your vet that allows you to do as much as you are comfortable with, and have the vet help you gain confidence with new aspects which help keep the costs down. If the vet normally comes to your place to work on horses, you might haul the horse to the vet, saving the vet farm call charge. A farm visit may cost anywhere from $30 to $60.

Fecal Test and Deworming
Internal parasites rob the horse of feed nutrients and are a leading cause of colic. Following a deworming program that consists of testing for parasites and deworming with the appropriate amount and type of product is important. Including fecal tests can indicate which parasites are present and in what numbers, making for a much stronger deworming program. This test can range in price from $11 to $15. This test can help owners make more knowledgeable decisions about what to deworm with, or if deworming is necessary if the parasite load is light. Not every horse in a paddock needs to be fecal tested, but a random few that live together will provide good information about the group. If a group of horses has a low parasite load, deworming can be postponed leading to substantial savings if multiple horses are owned. Visiting with your vet about a deworming and fecal exam schedule will help owners determine what is most appropriate for their stocking load and management style.

It is important to deworm according to the horse’s weight, as many times one tube of dewormer is not enough to cover the entire weight of a horse. Using a weight tape (which can be obtained at many feed stores or through a feed
company) will give a more accurate indication of weight than just eye-balling and guessing. Because the tapes are not 100 percent accurate it is appropriate to add 200 lbs to the weight and give enough de-wormer to cover the horse’s weight plus the 200 lbs. An important part of parasite control includes reducing the re-infestation rate. Cleaning pens or stalls daily will prevent the horse from having contact with manure, where parasite larvae live. Composting manure before spreading over fields will kill existing parasite larvae and better prepare the manure for spreading. These steps will reduce the need for chemical control while maintaining a healthy horse at a reduced cost.

Read the rest of the story in the October issue of Saddle Up Nebraska. Subscibe to Saddle Up Nebraska by calling 1-800-888-1380. Only $15/Year for 12 monthly issues!

Equine owners turn to organic selenium in antioxidant defense

The old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” may soon be replaced with “a candy bar a day.” Once considered just an after-dinner treat, dark chocolate is now thought to be a healthy supplement to the diet – and it’s all because of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that slow or prevent the oxidation of chemicals. Recent studies have shown that the molecules can be helpful in maintaining health and preventing disease. But humans are not the only ones racing to get their hands on the supplement; the equine industry has also seen benefits in horses. While humans are grabbing chocolate kisses and nougats, horse owners are reaching for the organic selenium supplement Sel-Plex.

A mineral naturally found in forages and grains, selenium can often be deficient in the diet due to variations in soil content across the country. When selenium is deficient in horse diets, health challenges such as muscle damage, inadequate reproductive systems, and poor antioxidant immune defense can occur. In equine, selenium has been shown to support better tissue retention, improved colostrum and milk quality, exercise tolerance and optimized immune system.

While selenium has several roles, the most well-known is antioxidant defense. This makes it important in every cell in the body as well as in immune defense. The body produces free radicals metabolites as a normal consequence of oxygen metabolism. Selenium-requiring enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase neutralize the metabolites, rendering them harmless and protecting cellular machinery from damage.

Exercise increases oxidative metabolism markedly, resulting in the mobilization of selenium to meet increased antioxidant demand. This explains why performance horses, not to mention human athletes, have greater selenium needs than non-athletes.

Tying up, an ailment that occurs even in fit horses, usually occurs during or after exercise. Symptoms range from mild hind limb stiffness, pain and sweating to a total reluctance to move, and if left untreated, tying up can result in severe damage to muscle cells. Adding antioxidants to feed through sources such as selenium have shown to be beneficial in preventing this common condition in equine.

Currently, there are two different kinds of selenium on the market – inorganic and organic. Inorganic selenium such as sodium selenite and selenate was, until recently, the only available form of selenium for feed supplements. Sel-Plex, from Alltech, is a unique form of selenium as it is presented in the same form that is naturally present in plants. The organic selenium form is better retained and more digestible than inorganic forms, which allows the animal to build nutrient reserves against periods of increased demand without risking toxicity.

A young miniature filly was born on the Bill and Tonya Breitkreutz farm outside of Wisner on March 30. Photo by Katie Novak.

A 2001 study at the University of Kentucky showed that Sel-Plex was more beneficial than inorganic forms in increasing glutathione peroxidase activity in mares and the immune status of their foals. Fifteen pregnant mares were assigned to three different kinds of selenium supplements, including Sel-Plex, for 55 days prior to foaling. The researchers concluded that at four, six and eight weeks of age, glutathione peroxidase activity in foals from mares receiving three mg of Sel-Plex was greater than in foals from mares receiving one mg of selenite and tended to be greater in foals from mares receiving three mg selenite. In addition, they found that giving mares three mg from either source increased foal immune function, which holds possible benefit during weaning stress and may confer an advantage in decreasing muscle degradation and the time between fatigue and recovery.

Sel-Plex was also recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when it received free choice allowance for equine and beef. This development allows horse owners to offer the mineral in a loose granular form and not in a ration to their animals. This selenium source is the only product of its kind to have received this authorization.

But this is not the first approval for the selenium yeast. Sel-Plex is also the only organic selenium to have received FDA allowance in the United States for use in chicken diets in 2000, followed by turkey, swine, beef and dairy feeds, sheep, goats, equine, and most recently, for dog diets. The product also recently received a strain-specific approval as a nutritional feed additive for use in all species diets from the European Union (EU) under EU regulation 1750/2006.

The National Research council suggests 0.1 ppm selenium in the total diet for all ages and classes of horses. While most experts agree that 0.1 ppm selenium is sufficient for mature, idle horses, requirements for performance horses, growing horses and mares should be around three mg per day. This amount equates to 0.3 ppm selenium in the total diet and is the amount added by most feed manufacturers.

Equine owners may also soon turn to the organic selenium for their own antioxidant defense instead of the now popular dose of chocolate. Current research is examining selenium yeast in relation to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, HIV/AIDS and other viruses. Recently, Alltech started an investigation in Africa on how the use of organic selenium such as Sel-Plex could benefit people with HIV/AIDS.

For 30 years, Alltech has provided natural nutritional solutions such as Sel-Plex for the food and feed industries. Alltech is the title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. The event will be held for the first time outside of Europe, September 25 through October 10, 2010. For more information on Alltech or Sel-Plex, visit the Web sites at www.alltech.com or www.sel-plex.com.

Many jobs available in animal care
New Equine Health Management program offered at NCTA

By Eric Melvin Reed

When it comes to pairing one’s passion for animals with the need for a job, few options can compete with the unpredictability and excitement that comes with a career in the veterinary field.

Today’s students encounter a limitless range of options when setting out to find a career path. Among those who claim to love animals, an overwhelming number choose careers in veterinary medicine or veterinary technology.

That’s understandable. The demand for jobs in the veterinary industry is just as high, or higher, than the popularity of the profession itself. The U.S. Department of Labor projects the need for veterinarians in the United States to remain at “excellent” for years to come.

Wages for veterinarians also continue to look good. The median annual wage of all veterinarians in the U.S. in 2008 was $79,000. The average starting salary for those working exclusively with large animals exceeded $60,000.
With the number of veterinarian openings expected to increase much faster than the average, it is no surprise that people think of veterinarians and veterinarian technicians when they think of jobs for animal lovers.

Job prospects for veterinarians are extremely good in cities and suburbs, where people in highly populated areas care deeply about their pets and are willing to pay for services once considered unconventional for animals, such as cancer treatment and kidney transplants.

In rural areas, job prospects are even better. That’s because there’s a lot less competition for work in remote environments where people are less willing to live.

In the past, veterinarians have collaborated with human doctors and researchers to find cures and treatments for people around the world.
Veterinarians have played a substantial role in combating malaria and yellow fever and testing new drug therapies and surgical techniques. In fact, a number of surgical techniques now used on humans, including hip and knee joint replacements, were developed by veterinarians.

Student Chase Barnhart examines a skull. Photo by Eric Melvin Reed.

Given their vast array of skills and knowledge, some veterinarians are also engaged in the security of the nation’s food supply, serving as food safety inspectors, livestock inspectors and advisors.

The nature of veterinary work is changing at a rapid pace. Today’s graduates must stay current with the latest research in animal and medical science. In certain aspects, modern practices now mirror human care. Today’s physicians perform hip replacements, blood transfusions, and work with the latest technology from lasers to magnetic resonance imaging systems and ultrasound devices.

Large animal veterinarians, including those who work primarily with horses, must also stay current in a rapidly changing field. The previous idea of the “horse doctor” is an anachronism. Some of today’s equine veterinarians are among the most highly specialized practitioners in medicine, capable of meeting a range of demands put forth by an equally demanding equine industry that requires veterinarians not just for farms and ranches, but for sports, recreation, and entertainment in public and private enterprises.

Colleges, likewise, have to adapt to a demanding industry and the needs of students from a multitude of backgrounds around the country.

Veterinary and veterinary technology programs in Nebraska

At present, the only Nebraska institution of higher learning to offer a bachelor’s degree with a major in veterinary science or veterinary technology is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), which is accredited by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).

The University of Nebraska at Kearney offers a bachelor’s degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, but for the small number of Nebraskans who choose to go on and pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree and practice as veterinarians, their only option is to leave the state, though UNL does offer Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees from its School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Each fall, UNL admits a handful of students to its Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine, a program offered in partnership with Iowa State University.

Dr. Cory Reng, D.V.M., Assistant Professor at NCTA. Photo by Eric Melvin Reed.

Many students that like the outdoors and want to work with animals choose a career as a veterinary technician, a position comparable to a nurse in the realm of human doctors, rather than a veterinarian.

Many Nebraskans choose to pursue a degree as a veterinary technician because of the rising costs of tuition and the number of years it takes to become a veterinarian. Their decision may also be influenced by the highly selective admissions processes at the handful of veterinary schools in the United States. Graduates who seek to be full veterinarians must complete a 3-4 year residency program of intensive training and be licensed or board certified to practice.

Students who wish to be licensed veterinary technician assistants (rather than assistants,) must pass a national exam to become licensed as a veterinary technician. Currently, only three colleges in Nebraska are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to offer associate degrees in veterinary technology. The longest running of those programs, accredited since 1973, is the Veterinary Technology program at the University of Nebraska-Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) in Curtis. Northeast Community College in Norfolk and Vatterott College in Omaha also offer AVMA-accredited programs.

NCTA to offer new Equine Health Management Option

This year, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture announced a new Equine Health Management Option for students already working in an equine veterinary hospital or wanting to specialize more than the general technician. The new degree program, which has just been implemented and is the first in the state, will provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to better care for and relieve the suffering of horses. This will offer greater opportunities for students hoping to open up career tracks in specialty clinics, race tracks, breeding facilities, training facilities, private industries, equine research facilities, equine veterinary hospitals and veterinary colleges and universities.

Andrew Bose performs a physical exam on one of the college animals at NCTA. Photo by Tiffany Taylor.

The Associate of Applied Science degree will generally take two years to complete or can be added to another NCTA degree with only two or three additional semesters of classes.

Barbara Berg, Division Chair of Veterinary Technology at NCTA, says the college’s new Equine Health Management option will prepare students with very specific equine healthcare training and skills at a time when the nation is being challenged to meet the needs created by a growing number of horses and horse owners.

“These graduates will have an outstanding opportunity to be part of a health care team within many equine industry areas,” said Berg.  “Within a veterinary clinic this person could provide much of the daily nursing care, diagnostic testing and surgical preparation of the equine patient as well as client education; thus allowing the veterinarians to see more patients, perform additional surgeries, diagnose and prescribe medicine. The result is higher quality healthcare for an increased number of clients.”

For those who love “hands on” work, NCTA complements classroom study with interactive and participatory learning that utilizes live horses outside of the classroom. NCTA keeps animals, including horses, year round for use in its veterinary technology classes. Student employees help care for the animals.

Students studying under the new Equine Health Management option will be required to complete the college’s standard core classes, which include general education courses, mainly in math, science and communication.
Students will also take a number of equine veterinary technician classes and health and medical classes. The curriculum includes subjects such as equine safety, nutrition, diagnostic imaging, laboratory diagnostics, diseases, pharmacology, reproduction, emergency medicine, anesthesia and surgery.
Students interested in careers as veterinary technicians should prepare in high school by taking as many science, biology, and math courses as possible.

Internships are required as part of every NCTA degree, allowing additional first-hand and “real world” experience. Although most veterinary technicians work in private practices, students under the new Equine Health Management option will not be restricted to internships in private practices.

Many states require veterinary technicians and technologists to pass a credentialing exam following coursework to test their competency and ability to conduct work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

NCTA emphasizes practical skills in a clinical or laboratory setting. As the program grows, students and faculty look forward to major renovations to the college’s veterinary technology facilities set to begin this year, along with other renovations on campus and the building of a new dormitory and a new $9.7 million Education Center that will provide new classrooms, an auditorium, and accommodations for the Horticulture/ Agronomy Systems and Veterinary Technology systems program.