University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine - DVM Program

Before becoming a practicing veterinarian as the owner of Phillip R. Kapraun DVM, PC Harvard Equine Practice in Harvard, Illinois, Phillip Kapraun attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa where he earned a bachelor of science in biology. He also attended the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Champaign-Urbana, where he obtained a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM).

Organized in 1944, the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine began after veterinarians and farmers in the local area called for a training program for the education of current and future veterinary professionals. Today, DVM students attend core courses such as clinical practice, pathobiology, and professional development. In addition, they choose electives that range from veterinary forensic medicine and advanced therapeutics to equine animal husbandry and equine critical care.

Enrolled students may also take advantage of other opportunities related to their studies. The college offers summer research programs as well as a two-week rotation in shelter medicine that allows students to participate in up to 50 surgeries. Additionally, interested individuals can pursue a DVM-Master’s in Public Health joint degree, administered in partnership with the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Causes and Treatment of Equine Osteochondritis Dissecans

As a privately practicing equine veterinarian, Dr. Phillip Kapraun focuses largely on the treatment of lameness in performance horses. Dr. Phillip Kapraun is a driving force behind the standardization of osteochondrosis dessicans (OCD) detection and removal in yearling Standardbred horses.

Osteochondrosis dessicans, or OCD, is a common orthopedic condition that affects up to 10 percent of Quarter horses, 35 percent of Morgans and 60 percent of Standardbreds. It is a developmental disorder (DOD or developmental orthopedic disorder) that causes the irregular development of bone and cartilage in the joints. OCD seems to have 3 possible causes: genetic, nutrition of the mare during pregnancy, and trauma. It appears that horses are born with OCDs. OCDs can be responsible for lameness in the horse. Standardbred trainers of horses with unremoved OCDs often complain that their horse "makes breaks." OCDs prevent a horse from achieving its full potential.

In the majority of cases, effective and lasting treatment involves surgery to remove the abnormal bone and cartilage tissues. Contemporary best practices suggest the use of arthroscopy, which allows for the OCD removal using only 2 small incisions, minimizing trauma to the joint and minimizing recovery time. Standardbreds typically receive one month of stall rest after OCD arthroscopic surgery followed by one month of slow jogging on the track before returning to work.