Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center

11/07/2025

🍂The Equine Medical Center Memorial Garden is getting a facelift! 🌸🍁

Right in front of the hospital, the Memorial Garden is a peaceful spot where clients, staff, and visitors can pause for a quiet moment. At the heart of the garden is a beautiful gazebo surrounded by colorful plants and flowers.

Next time you’re at the Center, stop by and enjoy this special place! 🌿

11/06/2025

On November 5, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) posted that the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed a case of Equine Parvovirus in a 17-year-old Draft cross gelding used for pleasure riding at a private facility in Stafford County, Virginia.

The horse exhibited elevated liver values on routine blood work but displayed no clinical signs of liver disease. A PCR test confirmed Equine Parvovirus. The gelding is currently recovering, and no quarantine has been issued. One additional horse at the facility is a suspected case.

Symptoms of equine parvovirus (EqPV-H) include lethargy, anorexia, colic, jaundice, and neurological signs.

11/03/2025

Oldenburg mare beats the odds after scary neurologic diagnosis

Belle, a 14-year-old mare was at a boarding barn which had been under state mandated quarantine due to a horse being diagnosed with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

With all horses at the barn under close monitoring, Belle’s owner, Mariana, faced her worst fear when Belle began showing signs of hindlimb ataxia!

Click this link to read the full story: https://loom.ly/mNeewI4

10/31/2025

10/25/2025

🍁Trooper, a 17-year-old Mammoth Donkey from Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue in New Oxford, Pennsylvania, recently visited the EMC for an evaluation of his left front foot. No clinical intervention was needed, but Trooper did stop by the farrier shop for a fresh set of front shoes before heading home! 🙂💗🫏

Trooper is pictured with EMC resident Dr. Luisa Nitzschke, who has a soft spot for donkeys of all sizes!

10/24/2025

🩺Horses have a mysterious ability to injure themselves in the most unlikely of places. Lacerations are among the most common injuries they sustain. Knowing what to look for and when to take action can greatly impact your horse’s healing and long-term soundness.

Click on the image below to learn more! 👇

Lacerations are among the most common injuries horses sustain, and while some cuts are minor and need basic care, others can be deeper and located on or near vital structures. Knowing what to look for and the best course of action can greatly impact your horse’s healing and long-term soundness.

10/16/2025

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported that the Maryland Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of West Nile Virus in a 20-year-old draft mare at a private facility in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.

The mare showed clinical signs on October 8, and the diagnosis was confirmed on October 14. The horse had been vaccinated two years prior to this diagnosis.

10/15/2025

🍂🐴 October has brought a few of our youngest patients through the hospital doors! Foals arriving at this time of year often need extra care as they grow and develop — and we even welcomed a couple of newborns who required emergency critical care.

Our team is dedicated to helping these little ones get the best possible start in life. We’re happy to share that all of them have now gone home, ready to continue growing strong and thriving under the watchful eyes of their owners. 💛

10/14/2025

🐴Happy National Veterinary Technician Week! 🩺

This week, we are celebrating our amazing veterinary technicians, as well as our veterinary assistants and equine caretakers! These skilled and compassionate professionals play a vital role in the treatment and care of our equine patients!

THANK YOU to our incredible clinical support team for the 24-hour care, dedication, and expertise you bring to every patient, every day. 💙🩺🐴

10/13/2025

More images of EMC faculty and staff at the inaugural US Equestrian Open of Eventing at Morven Park, Leesburg, Virginia!

Group of three from left to right: Dr. Megan Marchitello, Dr. Elsa Ludwig, and Dr. Emily Schaefer.

Large group from left to right: Dr. Katie Jeffress, Dr. Megan Bouttle, Dr. Luisa Nitzschke, Dr. Megan Marchitello, Dr. Elsa Ludwig, veterinary technician Rosie Barwick, Dr. Mohamed Hajeeh Ali, and Dr. Emily Schaefer.

10/13/2025

EMC faculty and staff were out in force this past weekend to cheer on some of the most talented equestrians and their equine partners competing at the inaugural US Equestrian Open of Eventing at Morven Park, Leesburg, Virginia!

Group photo, from left to right: Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald, Jen Sullivan, Boyd Martin, and Steffanie Burgevin.

Congratulations to Boyd Martin, who captured the win aboard Miks Master C, a Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Ocala Horse Properties and Deborah Palmer.

10/11/2025

🍁Are you heading to the Virginia Fall Races today? 🏇🏇🏇

Stop by our rail-side tailgate to say hello and scan our QR code for a chance to win an Equine Medical Center helmet bag!