Professor Nicola Menzies-Gow

MA VetMB PhD DipECEIM CertEM(IntMed) FHEA FRCVS
Professor in Equine Medicine

Department: Clinical Science and Services

Campus: Hawkshead

Research Groups: Cardiovascular and Renal Biology, CPCS (Research Programme)

Clinical Groups: Equine Medicine

Since 2005 Nicola has been employed at the Royal Veterinary College as a Lecturer in Equine Medicine and divides her time between out of hours clinical work, research and teaching. Nicola was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2011 and to Reader in 2017.She is currently Chair of Clinical Research Ethical Review Board and Research Director for Department of Clinical Sciences and Services.

Nicola graduated from Cambridge University in 1997. She spent nearly 3 years in first opinion equine practice in Essex before coming to the Royal Veterinary College in 2000 to undertake a 3 year Senior Clinical Training Scholarship (residency) in equine medicine. She then went on to complete her PhD in equine laminitis at RVC between 2003 and 2004.

In January 2005 she gained became a Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine and took up the position of Lecturer in Equine Medicine at RVC. Nicola was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2011 and to Reader in 2017. She is a European and RCVS specialist in equine internal medicine.

Her research continues to focus on insulin resistance and equine laminitis and she was awarded the Dame Olga Uvarov Research Medal in April 2006 which is awarded to outstanding clinical veterinary researchers in the early stages of their career. Nicola currently supervises two PhD students, two MVetMed students and numerous undergraduate research projects.

Publications:

Al-Agele, R; Paul, E; Taylor, S; Watson, C; Sturrock, C; Drakopoulos, M; Atwood, R C; Rutland, C S; Menzies-Gow, N J; Knowles, E; Elliott, J; Harris, P; Rauch, C.
Physics of Animal Health: On the mechano-biology of hoof growth and form.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE, 2019

Timpson, A; De Mestre, A M; Elliott, J; Harris, P A; Cheng, Z; Mirczuk, S M; Callan, L; Rainbow, L; Menzies-Gow, N J.
Seasonal and dietary influences on adipose tissue and systemic gene expression in control and previously laminitic ponies.
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science,.
2018

Finding, E J T; Lawson, C; Elliott, J; Harris, P A; Menzies-Gow, N J.
Cell specific microvesicles vary with season and disease predisposition in healthy and previously laminitic ponies.
VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY,.
2018

Knowles, E J; Moreton-Clack, M C; Shaw, S; Harris P A; Elliott, J; Menzies-Gow, N J. (2018) Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations in ponies measured by two different assays suggests seasonal cross-reactivity or interference. Equine Veterinary Journal; doi: 10.1111/evj.1279.

Jocelyn, N A; Harris, P A; Menzies-Gow, N J. (2018) Effect of varying the dose of corn syrup on the insulin and glucose response to the oral sugar test. Equine Veterinary Journal, doi: 10.1111/evj.12826.

Menzies-Gow, N J; Knowles, E J; Rogers, I; Rendle D. (2018) Validity and application of immunoturbidimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the measurement of adiponectin concentrations in ponies.Equine Veterinary Journal, doi: 10.1111/evj.12960

Smith, S A; Marr, C M; Dunnett, K; Menzies-Gow, N J. (2017) The effect of mare obesity and endocrine function on foal birthweight in Thoroughbreds. Equine Veterinary Journal, 49; 461-6.

Menzies-Gow, N J; Harris P A; Elliott, J. (2016) Prospective cohort study evaluating risk factors for the development of pasture-associated laminitis in the UK. Equine Veterinary Journal, 49; 300-6.

Smith, S A; Harris, P A; Menzies-Gow, N J. (2016) Comparison of the in-feed glucose tolerance test and the oral sugar test. Equine Veterinary Journal, 48; 244-7.

Knowles, E J; Elliott, J; Harris, P A; Menzies-Gow, N J. (2016) Use of the oral sugar test in ponies when performed with or without prior fasting. Equine Veterinary Journal, 49; 517-24.

Menzies-Gow, N J. (2015) I have decided to treat my RAO case with systemic steroids: should I screen it for laminitis risk? Equine Veterinary Education, 27; 332–333.

Menzies-Gow, N J. (2015) Equine endocrinology. CAB reviews

Menzies-Gow, N J; Wray, H; Bailey, S R; Harris, P A; Elliott, J. (2014) The effect of exercise on plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers in normal and previously laminitic ponies. EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, 46;3:317-321.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/evj.12132

Menzies-Gow, N J; Wray, H; Bailey, S R; Harris, P A; Elliott J. (2014) The effect of tumour necrosis factor-α and insulin on equine digital blood vessel function in vitro. Inflammation Research, 63; 637-47.

Knowles, E J; Menzies-Gow, N J; Mair, T S. (2014) Plasma fructosamine concentrations in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction with and without laminitis. Equine Veterinary Journal, 46; 249-51.

Wray H., Elliott J., Bailey S.R., Harris P.A., Menzies-Gow N.J. (2013) Plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers in previously laminitic ponies. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45, 546-51.

Borer-Weir K.E., Bailey S.R., Menzies-Gow N.J., Harris P.A. and Elliott J. (2013) Seasonal and annual influence on insulin and cortisol results from overnight dexamethasone suppression tests in normal ponies and ponies predisposed to laminitis. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45, 688-93.

Borer-Weir K.E., Bailey S.R., Menzies-Gow N.J., Harris P.A. and Elliott J. (2013) Seasonal variation in maintenance of phenylephrine-induced tone in isolated equine digital arteries under hypoxic or hyperoxic conditions in vitro. Research in Veterinary Science, 94, 725-7.

Borer KE, Bailey SR, Menzies-Gow NJ, Harris PA and Elliott J (2012) Use of proxy measurements of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretory response to distinguish between normal and previously laminitis ponies. Equine Vet J, 44, 444-8.

Menzies-Gow N.J. (2012) Equine laminitis. CAB Reviews, doi: 10.1079/PAVSNNR20127066.

Menzies-Gow N.J. (2012) Endocrinological aspects of the pathophysiology of equine laminitis. Equine Vet J, 44, 735-7.

Tyner G., Nolen-Watson R., Hall T., Palmero J., Couetil L., Javsicas L., Schott H., Johnson A., Hardefeldt L., Gruntman A., Sommerdahl C., Menzies-Gow N.J., de Pedro P., Norman T., Fennell L., Axon J., Stack A., Lindborg S., Boston R.C., Aceto H. and Engiles J. (2011) A multicenter retrospective study of 151 renal biopsies in Horses. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 25, 532-9

Finding E.T., Jones I., Luis-Fuentes V. and Menzies-Gow N.J. (2012) Evaluation of a technique for measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation in healthy ponies. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 73, 755-61.

Borer K.E., Bailey S.R., Menzies-Gow N.J., Harris P.A. and Elliott J. (2012) Effect of feeding glucose, fructose, and inulin on blood glucose and insulin concentrations in normal ponies and those predisposed to laminitis. Journal of Animal Science, 90, 3003-11.

Borer-Weir K.E., Bailey S.R., Menzies-Gow N.J., Harris P.A. and Elliott J. (2012) Evaluation of a commercially available radioimmunoassay and species-specific ELISAs to measure high concentrations of insulin in equine serum. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 73, 1596-602.

Johns I, Baxter K., Booler H. and Menzies-Gow N.J. (2011) Conjunctival bacterial and fungal flora in healthy horses in the United Kingdom. Veterinary ophthalmology, 14, 195-9.

Priestnall S.L., Schoniger S., Ivens P.A.S., Eickmann M., Brachthauser L., Kehr K., Tupper C., Piercy R.J., Menzies-Gow N.J. and Herden C. (2011) Borna disease virus infection of a horse in Great Britain. Veterinary Record, 168, 380.

Menzies-Gow N.J. and Young N.A. (2011) Antibiotic resistance in faecal bacteria isolated from horses receiving virginiamycin for the prevention of pasture-associated laminitis. Veterinary Microbiology, 152, 424-8

Menzies-Gow N.J. (2011) Laminitis epidemiology data: Still severely lacking. The Veterinary Journal, 198, 242.

Brooks A.C., Menzies-Gow N.J., Bailey S.R., Cunningham F.M. and Elliott J. (2010) Endotoxin-induced HIF-1alpha stabilisation in equine endothelial cells: synergistic action with hypoxia. Inflammation Research, 59, 689-98.

Menzies-Gow N.J., Stevens K. B., Sepulveda M. F., Jarvis N. and Marr C. M. (2010) Repeatability and reproducibility of the Obel grading system for equine laminitis. Veterinary Record, 167, 52-5.

Menzies-Gow N. J. (2010) Endocrinopathic laminitis: Reducing the risk through diet and exercise. Vet Clinics of NA Equine Prac, 26, 371-8.

Menzies-Gow N. J., Stevens K., Barr A., Camm I., Pfeiffer D. U. and Marr C. M. (2010) Severity and outcome in equine pasture associated laminitis managed in first opinion practice in the UK. Veterinary Record, 167,362-9.

Menzies-Gow N. J., Katz L. M., Barker K. J., Elliott J., De Brauwere M. N., Jarvis N., Marr C. M. and Pfeiffer D. U. (2010) An epidemiological study of pasture-associated laminitis and concurrent risk factors in the South of England. Veterinary Record, 167:690-4.

Brooks A.C., Menzies-Gow N.J., Wheeler-Jones C., Bailey, S.R., Elliott J. and Cunningham F.M. (2009) Endotoxin-induced activation of equine digital vein endothelial cells: role of p38 MAPK. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 129, 174-80

Menzies-Gow N.J. (2009) Diabetes in the horse: a condition of increasing clinical awareness for differential diagnosis and interpretation of tests. Equine Veterinary Journal, 41, 841-3.

Bailey S.R., Habershon-Butcher J.L., Ransom K.J., Elliott J. and Menzies-Gow N.J. (2008) Hypertension and insulin resistance in a mixed-breed population of ponies predisposed to laminitis. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 69,122-9.

Menzies-Gow N.J., Bailey S.R., Berhane Y., Brooks A.C. and Elliott J. (2008) Evaluation of the induction of vasoactive mediators from equine digital vein endothelial cells by endotoxin. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 69, 349-55.

Menzies-Gow N.J., Sepulveda M.F., Bailey S.R., Cunningham F.M. and Elliott J. (2008) Roles of Thromboxane A2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine in endotoxin-induced digital vasoconstriction in horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 69, 199-207.

Menzies-Gow N.J. (2008) Effects of sedation with acepromazine on echocardiographic measurements in eight healthy thoroughbred horses. Veterinary Record, 163, 21-5.

Menzies-Gow N.J. and Marr C.M. (2007) The repeatability of Doppler ultrasonographic measurement of equine digital blood flow. Journal of Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound, 48, 281-5.

Brooks A.C., Menzies-Gow N.J., Wheeler-Jones C., Bailey, S.R., Cunningham F.M. and Elliott J. (2007) Endotoxin-induced activation of equine platelets: evidence for direct activation of p38MAPK pathways and vasoactive mediator production. Inflammation Research, 56, 154-61.

Menzies-Gow N.J., Bailey S.R., Katz L.M., Marr C.M. and Elliott J. (2005) Digital blood flow and plasma endothelin concentrations in clinically endotoxemic horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 36, 630-36.

Bailey S.R., Menzies-Gow N.J. Marr C.M. and Elliott J. (2004) The effects of vasoactive amines found in the equine hindgut on digital blood flow in the normal horse. Equine Veterinary Journal 36, 267-72.

Menzies-Gow N.J., Bailey S.R., Katz L.M., Marr C.M. and Elliott, J. (2004) Endotoxin-induced digital vasoconstriction in horses: associated changes in plasma concentrations of vasoconstrictor mediators. Equine Veterinary Journal 36, 273-8.

Menzies-Gow N. J., Weller R., Bowen I.M., Corley K.T.T.C., Livesey L., Weaver M. and Marr C.M. (2003) Use of nuclear scintigraphy with 99mTc-HMPAO labelled leucocytes in the assessment of horses with malabsorption. Veterinary Record, 153, 457-62.

Menzies-Gow N.J., Bond R., Patterson-Kane J.C., and McGowan C.M. (2002) Two cases of coronary band dystrophy. Veterinary Record 150, 665-8.

Menzies-Gow N. J., Patterson-Kane J. C. and McGowan C. (2002) A case of sterile nodular panniculitis in a 3-year-old horse. Veterinary Record 151, 416-9.

McGowan, C. M., Menzies-Gow, N. J., McDiarmid A.M. and Patterson-Kane J. C. (2002) Four cases of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy in the UK. Veterinary Record, 152; 109-12.

 

Conference papers:

Smith S.A., Marr C.M. and Menzies-Gow N.J. (2015) The effect of obesity and endocrine function on foal birthweight in Thoroughbred mares. Equine Veterinary Journal, 47 Suppl 48:2.

Findings E.J.T., Menzies-Gow N.J., Harris P.A. and Elliott J. (2015) Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on blood pressure and nitric oxide concentrations in control and previously laminitic ponies. Proceedings of European College of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics Annual Congress.

Menzies-Gow N.J., Potter K., Harris P.A. and Elliott J. (2015) Prospective cohort study evaluating risk factors for the development of pasture-associated laminitis in the UK.

Knowles, E.J., Harris, P.A., Elliott, J., and Menzies-Gow N.J. (2016) Oral sugar test responses with or without prior fasting helps differentiate previously laminitic from non-laminitic ponies. Proceedings of 55th BEVA Annual Congress.

Jocelyn N.O., Harris P.A. and Menzies-Gow N.J. (2016) The effect of varying the dose of karo light syrup on the insulin response to the oral sugar test. Dorothy Havemeyer Equine Endocrinology Symposium, Miami.

Knowles, E.J., Harris, P.A., Elliott, J. and Menzies-Gow, N.J. (2017) Insulin Assay Choice Affects Results of the Oral Sugar Test. Dorothy Havemeyer Equine Endocrinology Symposium, Miami.

Knowles, E.J., Moreton-Clack, M.C, Shaw, S., Harris, P.A., Elliott, J. and Menzies-Gow, N.J. (2017) Comparison of plasma ACTH assays in ponies suggests seasonally dependent assay cross-reactivity. Dorothy Havemeyer Equine Endocrinology Symposium, Miami.

Menzies-Gow N.J. and Wilson S. (2017) Case-control study of corticosteroid-associated laminitis. Proceedings of European College of Equine Internal Medicine Annual Congress.

Sinclair C., Menzies-Gow N.J. and Cardwell J.M. (2018) From scientific evidence to horse welfare: Understanding barriers and drivers to implementation of optimal horse-care practices. Proceedings of EVBMAW Congress Berlin.

Sinclair C., Menzies-Gow N.J. and Cardwell J.M. (2018) From scientific evidence to horse welfare: Understanding barriers and drivers to implementation of optimal horse-care practices. 15th International Symposium of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics.

Sinclair C., Menzies-Gow N.J. and Cardwell J.M. (2018) From scientific evidence to improving horse health: Using laminitis to understand level of knowledge and implementation of optimal horse-care practices. International Society for Equitation Science 14th Equitation Science Conference.

Nicola teaches on the cardiorespiratory, locomotor, endocrine and principles of clinical sciences strands of the BVetMed undergraduate course. Nicola also teaches on the Graduate Diploma in equine locomotor research.

Her clinical interests include all areas of equine medicine, but particularly endocrinology, laminitis, gastrointestinal disease, cardiology and respiratory disease.

  • Objective assessment of the quality of life of equines with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction

    Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a common disease of older equines affecting >25% of animals over the age of 15 years. It has various associated clinical signs that could impact quality-of-life (QoL) including the painful hoof condition laminitis, weight loss and lethargy. Owners frequently mistake some of these clinical signs as being associated with ageing and not important enough to seek veterinary advice. Additionally, owners face increased physical care burden (time, money and physical exertion), along with increased emotional burden such as a changed mental state caused by affected animal encountering challenges that require additional care.

  • Researching Laminitis Risks for Horses and Ponies

    A four year study of laminitis in ponies, measuring physical, metabolic and management data, identifying significant factors associated with laminitis such as basal serum insulin concentration, insulin concentration in response to the OST, basal plasma adiponectin concentration and the presence of divergent hoof growth rings on the feet, and making recommendations for treatment  based on this.

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