Hamilton Vet Services

421 Te Rapa Road

Te Rapa

Hamilton

Phone (07) 849 2963

email hamvet@xtra.co.nz

Equine Medicine & Surgery

Hamilton Veterinary Services Equine Clinic and Hospital offers you a full range of equine procedures and practice.

Dr Douglas Black, Dr Noel Power, Dr Alec Jorgensen, Dr Orla Fahey, Dr Robyn Crighton, Dr John Hunter, Dr Murray Bertram are the veterinarians working within the Equine Clinic along with Specialist Equine Surgeon Dr Greg Quinn. These are supported by Vanessa and Rebecca our equine nurses.

The Hamilton Veterinary Services Equine Hospital is a New Zealand Veterinary Association Accredited BESTPRACTICE and offers

Fully-equipped modern theatre, for anaesthesia and surgery with a padded, mobile, hydraulic surgical table

Padded knock-down and recovery box.

Safe indoor examination area with easy loading stocks for reproductive and dental procedures.

Secure, yarded stabling area for horses of all ages and types, with an indoor stabling area for intensive care patients.

Purpose built multi-directional loading ramp to suit back and side loaders as well as trailers.

Safe, non-slip, level trot-up and lunging area for lameness investigations.

Rapid Laboratory Diagnosis -Blood and tissue samples are sent to local veterinary laboratories only a couple of minutes from our door. These are staffed by highly qualified people with a wealth of knowledge.

Please explore the range of Equine services we offer:

• General Medicine
  • Radiography
    • X-rays are essential in diagnosing disorders such as fractures, joint injuries, sinus infections, and pneumonia.
  • Endoscopy
    • Fibreoptic endoscopes may be used to assess structures within the nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx and airways. With these we can more precisely visualise and biopsy infections or irregularities of upper and lower airways.
  • Echocardiology
    • Through the use of our cardiac ultrasound probe we are able to view ultrasonically into the heart and make measurements of its size, shape and output.
  • Mesotherapy
    • Mesotherapy is an effective supplementary therapeutic option for chronic back pain. Medication is administered via multiple needles to the skin around the affected site.
  • Telemetry & Electrocardiograms
    • With Televet® we are able to monitor the horse during its normal daily activities via full diagnostic wireless transmission of the ECG.
  • Branding, Microchipping & Parentage Testing
    • Thoroughbred foals need to be branded, microchipped and undergo parentage identification from DNA hair samples so registration can be completed by 31 July each year.
  • Sarcoids and Skin Lesions
    • Proud flesh, sarcoids and skin lesions are regularly treated.
  • Health Management Programs
    • Our veterinarians would be happy to discuss a horse health management program with you.
• Lameness Investigation and Treatment
  • Radiography
    • X-rays are essential in diagnosing disorders such as fractures and joint injuries.
  • Soft Tissue Ultrasonography
    • Hamilton Veterinary Services has available diagnostic ultrasonography that assists our equine doctors in evaluation of horses with soft tissue and tendon injuries.
  • Hoof Balance and corrective shoeing
    • Hoof balance assessments and corrective shoeing maybe needed to restore strength, durability and balance to a horse's feet and legs.
  • Shockwave Therapy
    • High energy shock wave therapy is a new, non-invasive technology in New Zealand used for a variety of musculoskeletal disorders in the horse.
  • Nerve Blocking
    • Nerve and joint block evaluation allows the veterinarians to isolate the source of the lameness by applying local anaesthetic blocks to specific areas on the limb.
• Reproduction and Neonatal Care
  • Reproductive Ultrasounds
    • Ultrasound is used to diagnose and investigate broodmare cycles and associated problems during the breeding season. The practice has many portable ultrasound units for undertaking reproductive ultrasounds. This technology helps evaluate the reproductive tract, better predicts optimal mating times and can confirm pregnancy.
  • Assisted Breeding and Foalings
    • A large proportion of our equine work consists of reproductive services. We carry out artificial insemination and controlled breeding programmes for non thouroughbreds. Minor surgical procedures such as Caslick operations or perineal repair are carried out on standing mares to improve their chances of successful conception and maintainance of pregnancy. Difficult foalings are priority emergencies, often needing plenty of help and expertise. Caesarian sections may be undertaken in some situations.
  • Waikato Equine Intensive Care Unit (WEICU)
    • Sick Foals require very close attention and the best of care. We work with the Waikato Equine Intensive Care Unit in Cambridge at times to ensure every possible chance of success.
  • Equibreed NZ
    • Hamilton Veterinary Services is a leading practice when dealing with reproductive issues. We also have partnerships with reproductive specialists at Equibreed NZ should their services be required.
• Orthopaedic & Soft Tissue Surgery
  • Arthroscopic Surgery
    • With modern arthroscopic gear, we can (and regularly do) look into even the smallest joint spaces to diagnose and treat problems. Small joint fragments and cartilage defects can be treated using this type of joint surgery with rapid return to function.
  • Angular Limb Deformities
    • Foals are often born with or develop crooked or bowed legs. We can correct or improve the shape and function of a foal legs if we act early enough.
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
    • Fixing broken bones will always be a part of our job. Plates, pins, screws, casts and modern resins are needed depending on the types of fracture.
  • Joint Lavage
    • Joint Lavage is indicated where an animal has a bacterial infection within a joint. Bacteria may enter the joint directly through injury in horses and foals of any age. Injuries near joints should always be thoroughly investigated. Inflamed tissues around the joint can also promote infection; inflamed tissues have "leaky" vessels that could allow bacteria and cells that fight inflammation to spread into the joint. A very important part of treatment is joint drainage and lavage. This therapy is critical in the early management of septic arthritis. It dilutes the byproducts of inflammation, cellular debris, and bacteria, all of which are harmful to the cartilage within the joint.
  • Epiglottal Entrapment
    • Epiglottic entrapment is a term used to describe a condition where the epiglottis is trapped under an abnormal fold of tissue and cannot move normally. Treatment consists of cutting the abnormal tissue, for which a surgical procedure is required, and is performed with the horse either sedated and restrained in the standing position or under general anaesthetic.
  • Laryngeal Surgery
    • Wind Ops have been around for many years. They are performed to correct roarers, or in some cases of poor performance. Laryngeal hemiplegia (one-sided paralysis) is the most common cause of horses making abnormal noises during inspiration at fast exercise. The noise is caused by partial or total paralysis of one (usually the left) side of the larynx. In many cases conservative treatment is warranted but for more severe cases a tie-back operation is often recommended. This operation places sutures in the paralysed side to pull and hold it open.
  • Rig Surgery
    • When one or both testicles (testes) are not descended in the scrotum, the horse is called a rig, ridgling, or cryptorchid. Cryptorchidism is a developmental defect in both animals and humans. It is important in the horse because: the retained testis does not produce fertile sperm but does produce testosterone which gives the stallion its behavioural characteristics. Cryptorchid testes are more prone to developing tumors compared to descended testes and the cost of castration is increased. Testicles that have not descended through the abdominal wall and into the scrotum are removed via a rig surgery. Normal castration is perfomed on the descended testicle but more invasive surgery is required to find the undescended one. Even entry into the abdominal cavity may be required.
  • Minor Surgery
    • Routine surgery such as open and closed gelding of horses as well as minor procedures such as small laceration repairs are performed at the horses location but longer procedures require good monitoring and careful pre and post operative care that can only be given at our hospital.
  • Soft Tissue Surgery
    • Routine surgery such as open and closed gelding of horses as well as minor procedures such as small laceration repairs are performed at the horses location but longer procedures require good monitoring and careful pre and post operative care that can only be given at our hospital.
  • Colic Surgery
    • There are many causes of colic. Fortunately, only a few cases need surgery . Most Colics are resolved through medical management but a percentage require abdominal surgery if medical management has failed or a indication for surgical intervention occurs.
• Equine Dentistry
  • We offer the full spectrum of dental care to our patients, using modern power tools as required. Our veterinarians may tranquilise your horse so these procedures can be performed comfortably and safely.
• Pre-purchase,Pre-Export, Sales & Insurance Examinations
  • Pre-purchase Exams
    • One of the considerations when you are buying a horse is the veterinary exam. The purpose is to try to uncover any hidden health problems with the horse that might make it unsuitable for your intended purpose.
  • Presale X-Rays
    • Radiographic studies (x-rays) have become an integral part of the equine prepurchase evaluation. X-rays of particular joints may be requested. Thoroughbred yearlings going to sale may have up to 42 X-rays taken which are kept in a repository at the sales complex for prospective buyers to view. X-rays need interpretation of course, so some of our vets attend sales on behalf of clients to assist in choosing suitable horses. Potential horse buyers commonly request x-rays as part of the veterinary inspection process. And, as you know, many horses have failed examination based on radiographic findings. We have a mobile digital radiography unit which has the capability to radiograph a full series of repository or examination for sale films in large numbers. The films are instantly available to be viewed digitally on the farm to check for quality. Any repeat films can be taken immediately, avoiding the need for revisits.
  • Insurance Exams
    • Insurance examinations are conducted prior to insuring your horse against mortality and vet fees. After veterinary confirmation of pregnancy, foetal insurance can be taken to cover costs of service if the mare fails to hold the pregnancy for the full term.

 

About our equine service

We work as a close team and whilst studs, trainers and owners have their regular veterinarian call, your animal may be seen by one of the other veterinarians at different times. We do keep each other well informed. We offer you the service that is in the best interest of your animal. Wherever possible we will explain the work, costs and economics of the various options of treatment and together make a decision.

The clinic receptionists Jane Forsythe and Ingrid Jensen have been trained to answer your basic questions and advise on the animal health products available.

Equine administration and account queries are efficiently handled by Sandie Feaver and Jane Forsythe.

While it may be possible to speak to the veterinarian directly by mobile phone sometimes it is not always possible to contact them at the time you ring, the receptionist can consult with the veterinarian and will relay a message, take your booking and advise when the veterinarian is able to call. During some parts of the year i.e. October, November and December, it is not always possible to have a veterinarian call the same day for routine work, so ringing and booking routine work in advance is suggested. Please try and telephone the clinic early in the day if you require a veterinarian to call. You will be asked to leave your phone number and we will arrange your visit as soon as it is practical.

To avoid delays please phone in advance if you wish to pick up any prescription medicine for your horse as these now require direct veterinary consent and appropriate paperwork completed before being dispensed.

If you have a true emergency outside of office hours ring (07) 849 2963. You will be answered by a voice message who will advise you of the Veterinarian on duty and the phone number to ring.

		Endorsements
		'My name is Vanessa, and I am a Taranaki based dressage rider and instructor. I have, on several occasions, required the services of the equine specialists at Hamilton Veterinary Services. They have always been available for immediate advice, and have truly gone the extra mile on every such occasion. It is wonderful to know that my horse's care is handled in the most professional and confident manner. If you value your horses like I do, I can highly recommend the professional expertise of Hamilton Veterinary Services.' Vanessa Way

 

Hamilton Veterinary Services, 421 Te Rapa Road, Hamilton. (07) 849 2963