ENDOSCOPY

Endoscopy or ‘scoping’ allows visualisation of the upper respiratory and digestive tracts. This can be carried out routinely in the assessment of airway function for diagnosis of “roarers”, to evaluate a cause of nasal discharge, aid in diagnosis of allergic airway disorders or “bleeding” in racehorses as well as to diagnosis gastric ulceration. Endoscopy is also performed as a condition of sale at yearling sales. Abnormalities of airway function can be identified both prior to sale as well as during training

ELECTIVE SURGERY

HEC runs a busy elective only surgery caseload including arthroscopic removal and repair of OCD lesions in weanlings and adults, and trans-physeal screw placement in foals. In addition to these routine and somewhat seasonal surgeries we also regularly perform airway surgeries such as tie-backs, surgical curettage of sequestrums and other non-emergency surgeries. We also provide an on-farm screw removal service in foals to negate the need for a return trip to the hospital once the angular limb deformities have been corrected.

HOSPITAL & INTENSIVE CARE

HEC provides a full hospital and intensive care facility to provide varying degrees of supportive, nursing and intensive care to all equine patients from ponies through to thoroughbreds and foals through to adults, including intravenous and intra-gastric fluid therapy and oxygen therapy. Hospital & Intensive Care In addition, we have purpose built large mare and foal boxes to facilitate intensive care of sick recumbent neonates in segregated foal creches within a larger stable so that the mare and foal can be physical separated to facilitate intensive therapies while still enabling nose-to-nose contact and bonding between the mare and foal.

POOR PERFORMANCE

At HEC we have several vets with a keen interest in the management of poor performance cases; from diagnosing the cause through to implementing a treatment plan to rectify the problem wherever possible. The cause of poor performance can be varied, with possibilities including underlying orthopaedic and lameness issues (including tendon, bone and joint injuries as well as hoof and shoeing problems), myopathies or muscle diseases such as “tying up”, gastric ulceration, dental disease, airway disease including asthma, lower-airway bleeding and upper airway obstructions, and cardiac disease. A thorough, methodical approach to poor performance workup is important and often involves multiple steps; speak to one of our vets about the options available including dynamic endoscopy using your treadmill to evaluate the cause of respiratory noise during exercise, or an ECG at rest or during exercise or an ultrasound of the heart to evaluate suspected cardiac problems.

LABRATORY

HEC has a fully equipped laboratory that enables on-site blood analysis, cytologicalevaluation of body-cavity fluids, synovial samples and airway samples, culture of diagnostic samples, including mare and stallion pre-breeding swabs and faecal analysis for parasite burden as well as some common causes of diarrhoea. Blood analysis includes routine haematology (complete bloodcount), serum biochemistry, electrolyte measurement and evaluation of acute phase proteins (markers of inflammation). In addition all of our ambulatory vets have the capacity to measure serum amyloid A (acute phase protein/marker of inflammation) using patient-side analysers to rapidly identify the degree of systemic inflammation in a sick patient.

YEARLING CARE

Yearling assessments in the lead up to yearling preparation and sales is a critical component of optimising saleability and future performance. Here at HEC we have a highly experienced team that can provide lameness and conformational assessments to identify any abnormalities and enable early intervention, importantly identifying problems that can be managed or operated on prior to sales. Radiography has become an important aspect of the sale of yearlings and we can offer advice to those both selling and buying horses, including on-site evaluation at the sales by one of our experienced team.