VetPrac is excited to welcome Professor Jean-Marie Denoix to Australia in July 2019; he will lead the equine lameness ultrasound workshop at UQ. Dr. Denoix is considered to be the world’s foremost equine musculoskeletal system anatomist. Let’s get to know how Dr. Denoix became the guru he is, and learn about the wonderful facility in Normandy, France, CIRALE, that is his workplace.
What inspired you to become a veterinarian and then go onto specialise in equine locomotor pathology?
“I was interested in sports and horses, so I have made this synthesis: equine athletes!”
Who was your most influential mentor when you were training to become an equine specialist?
“Professor Robert Barone, famous French anatomist who asked me to stay at university for teaching”
What advice would you give recent graduates who are interested in furthering their knowledge in equine locomotor pathology?
“To learn anatomy and biomechanics!”
What do you enjoy about teaching?
“To demonstrate the link between anatomy, biomechanics, the cause of lesions, clinical manifestations and rehabilitation exercises.”
How is your time spent working in the field of equine locomotor pathology?
“I spend 60% of my time seeing clinical cases and 20% of my time doing research (on clinical cases); the remaining 20% is spent teaching postgraduate (15%) and undergraduate (5%) students.”
CIRALE (Centre of Imaging and Research on Equine Locomotor Affections) is a world-class facility that has been your workplace since its establishment in 1999. What type of horses are referred to CIRALE? Do you accept referrals from veterinarians or owners outside of France? How has CIRALE expanded over recent years?
“We accept only referred cases, from everywhere: 50% from Normandy; 30% from elsewhere in France 30%, and 20% from abroad. Many disciplines of horses are referred to CIRALE, including Showjumpers, Eventers, Dressage, Trotters, and Thoroughbreds; CIRALE sees 1100 cases per year. New facilities for internal medicine and surgery and a campus with more undergraduate students will open in 2023 on the same site as CIRALE. This will bring new cases. Recently a new building has been constructed providing 3D imaging (CT scan + MRI under general anaesthesia); I will personally be involved in a new rehabilitation unit for race and sport horses (with outside track and arena, swimming pool, and water treadmill). Research that I am currently undertaking at CIRALE includes ultrasound diagnosis of musculoskeletal system injuries, and rehabilitation protocols based on controlled exercises.”
What is your favourite or most memorable case at CIRALE?
“A case with a fracture of the first rib creating stenosis of the subclavian artery and lameness at work because of lack of blood perfusion of the shoulder muscles.”
What are your favourite leisure activities you enjoy on days when you are not working?
“Doing sculptures, training horses, looking at nature”
No doubt Jean-Marie’s superior knowledge of anatomy is an asset for doing sculptures!
Register for Distal Limbs July 4-5th &/or Register for Proximal Limbs and Spine July 6-7th.
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