Major breakthrough by Dubai veterinary lab

A veterinary science doctor claims the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dubai has achieved a major technical breakthrough in the subject of respiratory disease which is said to affect the overall performance of thoroughbred race horses, in particular.

Dr. Ulrich Wernery, the centre's Scientific Directory, who has been researching livestock diseases in detail, said yesterday: "During the year 2000 we carried out a very important experiment and discovered that horses in Dubai did not suffer from respiratory ailments.

"I think this is sensational news because after lameness, respiratory disease is the second major cause of poor performances in race horses. The disease, which causes inflammation of the trachea and subsequent formation of mucous and inflammatory cells, can lead to pneumonia.

"We found out that the environmental conditions in Dubai are favourable to horses suffering from respiratory problems and that they are naturally cured here, without any treatment. This is an extraordinary finding and perhaps explains the high performance of Godolphin horses," he said.

Wernery and members of his 40-strong team of vets at the Zabeel laboratory have been researching veterinary science that is specific to race horses and race camels for several years.

The centre was established 15 years ago by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, who a year later enlisted Wernery's services.

"Sheikh Mohammed showed great vision when he first brought horses here for the winter," he said. "Now we have achieved a scientific feat with this diagnosis for horse disease."

Wernery said that while comparing the micro-flora samples of race horses stabled in Dubai with those from Britain and New Zealand it was discovered that there was no noticeable carcinogenic bacteria to be found in the windpipes of the Dubai horses.

"Nearly 50 per cent of horses tested in England had this special bacteria in their windpipes, while only seven percent of 140 horses tested in Dubai were affected by the disease," he said. "We also tested 19 horses from New Zealand recently and found that within 48 hours of being in Dubai they were cured.

"The bottom line is that horses with bronchitis can be cured in Dubai without medical treatment and should they winter here for a longer time they are likely to perform very well when sent back to Europe, because their respiratory system is completely clean."