First published in Equine Guelph’s 20th Research Annual – January 11, 2023 Two studies led by Dr. Judith Koenig and her team at the Ontario Veterinary College have shown equine pooled cryopreserved umbilical cord blood, (eCB) MSC, to be safe and effective in treating joint pain and inflammation.  Both studies received funding from Equine Guelph.…

Heaves is known as a disease that can leave a horse struggling to breathe, ending athletic careers and even rendering a pleasure horse unsuitable for riding.  Commonly known today as equine asthma, it’s an irreversible disease brought on by repeated exposure to dust and moulds.  Ontario Veterinary College researcher, Doctor Bienzle has a long history…

Cryopreservation is the next exciting stage of research in stem cell therapy. Dr. Thomas Koch and his team are working to preserve cartilage chips for long-term storage, which would enable off-the-shelf use to treat localized cartilage defects.  Defects that very often shorten or end horses athletic careers.  Cryopreservation (or vitrification) is the formation of a solid from an aqueous solution without…

“It’s approximately four millimeters in diameter,” exclaimed Ontario Veterinary College researcher, Thomas Koch, unable to contain his excitement. The tiny disk of equine cartilage, manufactured in the OVC lab, is full of potential. A cartilage injury can mean the end of an athlete’s career. Damaged joint cartilage does not repair on its own and often…