Equine Hospital

 Did you know that the only surgeries routinely performed in general equine practice are minor lacerations and castrations? This is because horses are relatively difficult to anesthetize, and have a greater incidence of postoperative complications than other species. Therefore, advanced surgical expertise (with the accompanying expertise of anesthesiologists) are needed.

In addition, ECS has access and expertise in a range of high tech diagnostics such as nuclear scintigraphy, ultrasonography, thermography, and arthroscopy (for lameness), laparoscopy (for workup of chronic colic) endoscopy (for throat problems), and computed tomography (for sinus problems).

We provide treatment, diagnosis, and expertise in a wide array of surgical and lameness issues.

The following are some common examples of why patients visit our service:

• Lameness - principally orthopedic disease in performance and companion horses, including arthritis and foot problems

• Fractures - including small “chip” fractures that may impede optimal joint function, and long-bone fractures, which are frequently devastating

• Colic - a catch-all term for abdominal pain, which may require surgery for diagnosis and treatment

• Respiratory disease - primarily involving throat and sinus problems of performance horses

• Reproductive problems - such as dystocia (difficult birth), and perineal lacerations acquired during foaling

• Lacerations (cuts) - which may involve major orthopedic structures such as joints and tendon sheaths

• Neoplasia (cancer) - which in the horse most commonly involves the skin (sarcoids, melanomas, and squamous cell carcinoma being by far the most common tumors) but may include internal organs (such as lymphosarcoma)