Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center

07/17/2026

🐴 New research from our team is helping horses survive one of the most feared diseases in the industry.

A new study led by Drs. Megan Marchitello, Krista Estell, Elsa Ludwig, and Professor Emeritus Nathaniel White of Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center and former Virginia State Veterinarian Abby M. Sage found that combining valacyclovir (an antiviral) with heparin (an anticoagulant) significantly reduced the incidence of equine herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the severe neurologic form of EHV-1 — and improved survival during naturally occurring outbreaks.

Looking back at a real-world EHV-1 outbreak, the team found that horses treated with the combination therapy had dramatically better outcomes than those who didn't receive it, including several EHM-affected horses that survived and returned to work.

This is exactly the kind of applied outbreak-informed research that keeps the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center at the forefront of equine infectious disease medicine — turning real clinical challenges into treatment protocols that protect horses everywhere.

📖 Published by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the full article can be accessed by clicking on this link:
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.26.02.0118/javma.26.02.0118.xml

07/16/2026

Dream of working with horses? Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center is looking for an Equine Caretaker. 🐎 Whether you're experienced or just passionate about horses, this part-time role could be for you!

Interested? Check out all the details and apply through Virginia Tech's job portal: https://jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/equine-caretaker-leesburg-virginia-united-states-5e5d89c8-ecb3-4665-bf65-590f55165f53

07/10/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Dr. Mohamed Hajeeh Ali! 🐴✨

We're thrilled to celebrate Mohamed Hajeeh Ali, BVSc, on his advancement to a three-year Equine Surgery Residency at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center!

Mohamed's journey has taken him across the globe — earning his BVSc from the University of Bristol, completing an internship at Valley Equine Hospital in Lambourn, UK, and then joining us in Leesburg, VA, where he built a strong foundation as an Equine Medicine and Surgery Intern and then as a Surgery Fellow. Now, he's stepping into this next exciting chapter as an Equine Surgery Resident!

Please congratulate Dr. Ali on this well-earned milestone! 👏

06/30/2026

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Michelle Brennaman to Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center! 🐴

Dr. Brennaman is joining us as a medicine and surgery intern after graduating from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Her areas of professional interest include equine surgery, orthopedics, and podiatry, making her a wonderful fit for our clinical team.

We're thrilled to have her here in Leesburg. Welcome, Dr. Brennaman! 🎉

06/29/2026

Virginia Tech's Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine — the academic home of our Equine Medical Center — is sharing a story that's hard not to love...

After nine months at the Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Glinda the Lipizzaner is finally home — and she left in style, complete with a sash, a bow, and a crowd of fans cheering her on. The 18-year-old made a full recovery from a serious case of laminitis thanks to the round-the-clock teamwork of our veterinary and farrier teams, and no small amount of her own big personality.

"Glinda really seemed to love the attention of everyone in the hospital, and everybody loved having her here," said Jamie Secoura, chief of farrier services. 🐴✨

Read Glinda's story: https://f.mtr.cool/cuiunobhfq

06/28/2026

What happens when a horse's heart gives cause for concern? For Cruz and his rider Jennifer Berdell, the answer came from a cutting-edge cardiac evaluation at Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center.

Clinician Krista Estell knew a resting echocardiogram could only tell part of the story — so she monitored Cruz's heart in real time during a cross-country gallop, giving his team the answers they needed to keep him in the game.

Read how advanced equine cardiology is changing and what's possible for sport horses: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/06/vetmed-emc-success-story-cruz.html

Photos by Team EG for Erin Gilmore Photography

A resting echocardiogram can only tell part of the story. Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center clinician Krista Estell needed to see Cruz's heart at work.

06/26/2026

🚨 EQUINE DISEASE ALERT | Strangles – Calvert County, Maryland 🚨

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) has shared that the Maryland Department of Agriculture has confirmed a Strangles case at a private facility in Calvert County, MD. An official quarantine of the facility is now in effect.

The 6-year-old pony cross stallion showed onset of clinical signs on June 19, which included mild upper respiratory symptoms, mild fever, and a submandibular abscess. The diagnosis was confirmed on June 25. Up to 20 horses have been exposed.

⚠️ Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi. Common signs include nasal discharge, fever, and swollen or abscessed lymph nodes under the jaw. If your horse shows any of these signs, contact your primary care veterinarian immediately and isolate the animal.

06/22/2026

On June 20, the Equine Disease Communications Center (EDCC) announced that a University Clinician and the State Veterinarian confirmed an Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) Neurologic case in Powhatan County, Virginia. The private facility is now under official quarantine.

The mare presented with clinical signs of vestibular disease (affecting balance and spatial orientation), including head tilt and circling to the left. Diagnostics returned negative for EPM but positive for EHV-1. Two other horses have been exposed but are not showing clinical signs. The mare is under treatment and improving.

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06/22/2026

🎓 Congratulations, Karen Mills!

We are so proud to celebrate Karen Mills, Dispensary and Clinic Supply Supervisor at Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center on her completion of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Supervisor Development Program!

Karen's certificate was proudly presented by EMC Director Dr. Michael Erskine — a well-deserved recognition of her commitment to professional growth and her dedication to leading with excellence. We are so lucky to have her on our team! 👏

06/18/2026

🐴💙 Celebrating the heart of our Center!

On June 2, we gathered for our Annual Staff Appreciation Lunch. A cherished tradition that allows us to recognize the extraordinary people who make Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center the special place it is!

Our Director, Dr. Michael Erskine, was proud to present the following awards:

🏆 Above and Beyond Award → Bonnie Payson
🏆 Faculty Award → Caitlin Umberger
🏆 Paige Messick Award → Emily Hemphill
🏆 Director's Award → Sharon Todd

These individuals exemplify the dedication, compassion, and excellence that define our team every single day. We are so grateful to YOU and to every member of our staff who shows up for our patients and their owners throughout every day and night of the year!

Congratulations to our award recipients, and thank you to our entire EMC family! 🎉