Dr. Laura Riggs
Associate Professor
Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS)
(225) 578-9500

 Awards & Honors:
  • 2019 Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll
  • 2018 Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll
  • 2017 Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll
  • 2016 Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll
  • 2015 Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll
  • 2014 Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll
  • 2012 Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll
  • 2011 Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll
 Education:
  • PhD University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
  • DVM University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
  • BS Saint Louis University
 Grants:
  • Ex Vivo determination of platelet activation via flow cytometry and growth factor production in synovial fluid from osteoarthritic and non-osteoarthritic joints of horses, ACVS Foundation Diplomate Clinical Research Grant,
  • Evaluation of anti-inflammatory properties and growth factor release after repeated injections in horses with early-moderate osteoarthritic joints, LSU-VCS CORP, $3,850.00
  • Evaluation of activation of platelet rich plasma in the presence of equine synovial fluid from osteoarthritic joints., Charles V. Cusimano EHSP Research Grant, $5,000.00
  • Evaluation of anti-inflammatory properties and growth factor release after repeated intra-articular injections of leukocyte-poor platelet rich plasma in horses with early-moderate osteoarthritic joints, Charles V. Cusimano EHSP Research Grant, $10,000.00
  • Comparison of compressive forces in simulated medial condylar fractures of the equine third metacarpus using 4.5 mm, 4.5 mm self-tapping and 5.5 mm ao cortical screws, American College of Veterinary Surgeons,
  • Comparison of Compressive Forces in Simulated Medial Condylar Fractures of the Equine Third Metacarpus Using 4.5 mm, 4.5 mm Self-Tapping and 5.5 mm AO Cortical Screws, American College of Veterinary Surgeons,
  • Effect of an Oral Supplement Containing Curcumin Extract (Longvida) on Lameness due to Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Disease and Gastric Ulcer Scores, W. F. Young Company, $161,131.00
  • Effect of multiple sterilizations on biomechanical properties of surgical screws, VCS Corp grant,
  • Histologic Changes to the Muscular Portion of the Hind Suspensory Ligament of Horses as a Result of Neurectomy of the Deep Branch of the Lateral Plantar Nerve., Charles V. Cusimano EHSP , $1,340.00
  • The Effect of Neurectomy of the Deep Branch of the Lateral Plantar Nerve on the Biomechanical Properties and Diagnostic Imaging Characteristics of the Equine Hind Suspensory Ligament, Charles V. Cusimano EHSP , $11,998.00
  • Evaluation of the Short-term Effects of Intra-articular Administration of Platelet-rich Plasma in Horses with Experimentally Induced Synovitis, Charles Cusimano, Equine Health Studies Program,
  • Ex vivo equine digital laminar explant integrity and phosphorylation events in response to high concentrations of insulin, EHSP Grants Program , $12,000.00
  • Serum testosterone concentrations following human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation in cryptorchid horses before and after castration, Charles V. Cusimano EHSP Grant, $2,745.00
  • Are Implanted Prosthetic Legs for Horses Possible, Experiment.com crowd funding, $10,000.00
  • Dynamic Sonographic Evaluation of the Equine Hind Suspensory Ligament, lateral Plantar Nerve and Deep Branch of the Lateral Plantar Nerve, Merck Merial Summer Student Research, $5,619.00
  • Histomorphometric and surface topography analysis of stainless steel implants with different surface treatment, Charles V. Cusimano EHSP , $8,000.00
  • An in vitro biomechanical evaluation and comparison of two figure of eight tension band cerclage wires versus one 2.0 Acumed cable as the palmar support systems for equine metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis, Charles V. Cusimano Equine Health Studies Program, $6,206.20
  • Study number T8FUS120011:Efficacy of transdermal fentanyl to alter lameness parameters in mature horses , Elanco Animal Health, $46,300.00
  • Pilot Efficacy Study: Efficacy of IV fentanyl to improve lameness parameters in the horse , Elanco Animal Health , $46,885.00
  • Efficacy of an Oral Herbal Supplement for Treatment of Horses with Lameness due to Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease, Central Life Sciences, $99,062.00
  • Occurrence of palatal instability in a normal population of Thoroughbreds in race training, Equine Health Studies Program,
  • Efficacy of an oral supplement for treatment of horses with lameness due to osteoarthritis or degenerative disease, Farnam Companies, Inc. (Central Life Sciences) Phoenix, AZ. , $93,163.00
 Publications:
Journal Article, Academic Journal:
  • What Is Your Diagnosis?, Trolinger-Meadows, K; Gaschen, Lorrie; Riggs, Laura, 2017, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association , Volume: 250, Number: 3, Pages: 275-277
  • Dynamic Sonography of the Equine Metacarpo(tarso)phalangeal Digital Flexor Tendon Sheath, DiGiovanni, Daria; Rademacher, Nathalie; Riggs, Laura; Baumruck, Rebecca; Gaschen, Lorrie, 2016, Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound , Volume: 57, Number: 6, Pages: 621-629
  • An in vitro biomechanical comparison of hydroxyapatite coated and uncoated AO cortical bone screws for a limited contact: dynamic compression plate fixation of osteotomized equine 3rd metacarpal bones, Durham, M; Sod, Gary; Riggs, Laura; Mitchell, Colin, 2015, Veterinary surgery , Volume: 44, Number: 2, Pages: 206-13
  • Long term outcome after laser assisted modified Forssell's in cribbing horses., Baia, P; Burba, Daniel; Riggs, Laura; Beaufrere, H, 2015, Veterinary surgery : VS , Volume: 44, Number: 2, Pages: 156-61
  • An In Vitro Biomechanical Comparison of Hydroxyapatite Coated and Uncoated AO Cortical Bone Screws For A Limited Contact - Dynamic Compression Plate Fixation of Osteotomized Equine Third Metacarpal Bone, Mitchell, Colin; Durham, Myra; Sod, Gary; Riggs, Laura, 2014, Veterinary Surgery
  • Magnetic resonance imaging in foals with infectious arthritis., Gaschen, Lorrie; LeRoux, A; Trichel, J; Riggs, Laura; Bragulla, Hermann; Rademacher, Nathalie; Rodriguez, D, 2011, Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association , Volume: 52, Number: 6, Pages: 627-33
  • A mechanical comparison of equine proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis techniques: an axial locking compression plate and two abaxial transarticular cortical screws versus an axial dynamic compression plate and two abaxial transarticular cortical screws, Mitchell, Colin; Sod, Gary; Riggs, Laura; Martin, George, 2011, Veterinary Surgery , Volume: 40, Number: 5, Pages: 571-578
  • In Vitro Biomechanical Comparison of Dynamic Compression Plates with a Rough Contact Surface and a Polished Contact Surface for Fixation of Osteotomized Equine Third Metacarpal Bones, Mitchell, Colin; Sod, Gary; Riggs, Laura; Martin, George; Gill, Marjorie, 2011, Veterinary Surgery , Volume: 40, Number: 5
  • An in vitro biomechanical comparison of equine proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis techniques: two parallel transarticular headless tapered variable pitch screws versus two parallel transarticular AO cortical bone screws inserted in lag fashion, Mitchell, Colin; Gudehus, Timm; Sod, Gary; Riggs, Laura; Martin, George, 2011, Veterinary Surgery
  • In vitro cyclic fatigue comparison of a modified 5.5 mm locking compression plate fixation with a 5.5 mm locking compression plate fixation of osteotomized equine third metacarpal bones, Mitchell, Colin; Sod, Gary; Riggs, Laura; Martin, George; Gill, Marjorie, 2010, Veterinary Surgery , Volume: 39, Number: 7, Pages: 833-838
  • An in vitro biomechanical comparison of a 5.5 mm locking compression plate fixation with a 4.5 mm locking compression plate fixation of osteotomized equine third metacarpal bones, Mitchell, Colin; Sod, Gary; Riggs, Laura; Martin, George; Gill, Marjorie, 2010, Veterinary Surgery , Volume: 39, Number: 5, Pages: 581-587
  • Equine neutrophil elastase in plasma, laminar tissue, and skin of horses administered black walnut heartwood extract, Riggs, Laura; de la Rebière de Pouyade, G; Franck, Thierry; Moore, James ; Deby-Dupont, G; Hurley, David; Serteyn, Didier, 2010, Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology , Volume: 135, Number: 3-4, Pages: 181-187
  • The Effects of Forced Exercise on Collagen Type II Fragments, Lysyl Oxidase Concentrations, and Total Protein Concentrations in Sera and Synovial Fluid of Lambs, Riggs, Laura; Vernon, Kristine; Coverdale, Josie; Bodine, Ashby; Gibbons, John, 2010, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science , Volume: 30, Number: 5, Pages: 266-274
  • An in vitro biomechanical comparison of equine proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis techniques: axially positioned dynamic compression plate and two abaxial transarticular cortical screws inserted in lag fashion versus three parallel cortical screws inserted in lag fashion, Mitchell, Colin; Sod, Gary; Riggs, Laura; Hubert, Jeremy; Martin, George, 2010, Veterinary Surgery , Volume: 39, Number: 1, Pages: 83-90
Journal Article, Professional Journal:
  • Ex vivo effects of insulin on the structural integrity of equine digital lamellae, Sandow, C; Fugler, L; Leise, Britta; Riggs, Laura; Monroe, T; Totaro, N; Belknap, J; Eades, Susan, 2019, Equine Veterinary Journal , Volume: 51, Number: 1, Pages: 131-135
Scientific Abstract:
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Foals with Septic Arthritis., Gaschen, Lorrie; LeRoux, Alexandre; Trichel, Jessica; Middleton, Grant; Riggs, Laura; Bragulla, Hermann; Rademacher, Nathalie; Rodriguez, J, 2012
Magazine/Trade Publication:
  • Scope On the Geaux: Evaluation of the Horse's Airway!, Riggs, Laura, 2015
  • Upper Respiratory Disease in the Horse, Riggs, Laura, 2011