Category: EQUINE

When is a splint more than a splint? This was the question Paula found herself asking when her horse, Charlie, developed a lump on the inside of his lower leg consistent with a leg splint. However, when the lameness and pain on palpation persisted for several weeks, it became clear that something more serious could be going on.

Charlie underwent general anaesthesia, where Guy, one of our specialist surgeons, removed the fractured bone fragment and carefully debrided the portion of the splint that was impinging on the suspensory ligament.

After surgery, Charlie’s leg was bandaged and he began a carefully managed three-month rehabilitation programme. A follow-up MRI confirmed there was no longer any impingement on the suspensory ligament and that the inflammation had completely resolved.

Environmentally Responsible Anaesthesia

When your horse comes in for surgery, they may need a general anaesthetic to keep them ‘asleep’ and pain-free. Anaesthetic gas (Isoflurane) is essential for safe anaesthesia of our horses but is unfortunately a potent greenhouse gas.  Once the horse breathes out, this gas is released into the air and contributes to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Did you know?

Just one hour of anaesthesia can produce 6–8 kg of greenhouse gas. That’s the same carbon footprint as driving 15 to 30 miles in a car!

We’ve partnered with SageTech Veterinary, a UK-based company, to install innovative technology that captures and recycles this anaesthetic gas before it escapes into the atmosphere, helping us to lower our environmental impact.  Here is some of our anaesthesia team with our very own ‘VET-Dock’!

This investment is just one of a number of ways that the equine team is choosing to operate in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way when we are delivering clinical service.

If you have any concerns regarding your horse please do not hesitate to contact the team. At least two of our Oakhill Equine Vets are on call 24/7, 365 days/year.

Doug, an 18-year-old palomino pony, was seen by equine vet Jess last August after his owners noticed a build-up of discharge around his sheath that was falling onto his hind legs.

During a closer examination, and following a sheath clean performed under sedation, Jess discovered multiple masses on the body of Doug’s penis. These lesions had the typical appearance of squamous cell carcinoma, a type of cancerous tumour that can affect this area in horses.

The largest masses were removed under local anaesthetic and biopsy samples were submitted for histopathology, which confirmed the suspected diagnosis.

Doug’s owners were keen to explore treatment options that did not involve extensive surgery. A treatment plan was developed using a chemotherapy medication applied directly to the affected areas by Jess over several treatment sessions.

Doug has been an absolute trooper throughout the process. After a few months off he is now back having fun with his lovely family and we are delighted to report that his most recent check-ups have shown an excellent response to treatment – as you can see!

Early investigation of unusual discharge, swellings or lesions can make a big difference to outcomes like Doug’s. If you ever notice anything unusual with your horse, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our equine vet team.

Thank you to Doug’s owners for allowing us to share his story.

If you have any concerns regarding your horse please do not hesitate to contact the team. At least two of our Oakhill Equine Vets are on call 24/7, 365 days/year.

‘King’, a 2-year-old rescue gelding under the care of World Horse Welfare, was seen by our vet Kai for a persistent discharging tract at the base of his right ear. The issue was clearly bothering him, with frequent headshaking and signs of irritation observed by his carers.

A short course of antimicrobials gave only limited improvement, which raised suspicions that something more unusual was going on. Given the location and lack of response to treatment, a dentigerous cyst was high on the list – a congenital condition involving a tooth that has, quite simply, taken a wrong turn.

Figure 1 – The red circle highlights abnormal tooth structures in the skull near the ear base on the right side. The green circle highlights normal anatomy on the left side of the head.

King was admitted to our clinic for further investigation, including radiographs and an ultrasound of his head (figure 1). These confirmed our suspicions, revealing a large tooth-like structure lurking deep within his skull – definitely not where you would be expecting to find a tooth! This misplaced tooth leads to a discharge that tracks through the tissues and eventually drains at the base of the ear.

Figure 2 – Photos from during and immediately after surgery.

King underwent a lengthy general anaesthetic for surgical removal of the cyst and tooth (figure 2). In a surprising twist, not one but two rogue large teeth were discovered (figure 3). Our diplomat surgeon, Guy, carefully worked over several hours to remove both, all while navigating the many vital structures in the area and avoiding any damage to the nerves responsible for facial movement and ear function.

Figure 3 – The culprits following removal. A 3x2cm tooth and 5x6cm tooth.

We’re very pleased to report that King has since made an excellent recovery. His staples have been removed, he’s much more comfortable, and most importantly, he’s no longer hiding any unexpected dental surprises. We’re delighted to see him doing so well and wish him all the best in finding his much-deserved forever home!

If you have any concerns for your horse, please do not hesitate to contact the team. At least two of our Oakhill Equine Vets are on call 24/7, 365 days/year.

What is colic?

Colic is the term used to describe ‘abdominal pain’ in horses. Fortunately, most colic cases we see are medical colics in particular spasmodic/gas colic. Other forms of medical colic include impaction colic and colon displacements to name but two. Luckily, less than 10% of colic cases we see require surgical intervention.

What are the signs of colic?

• Restlessness
• Pawing at the ground
• Rolling
• Kicking and/or looking at belly
• Lying flat out
• Sweating
• Stretching/unusual posture
• Poor appetite
• Reduced droppings
• Lip curling
• Teeth grinding

What should I do if my horse is colicking?

• Remain calm and keep safe
• Remove food
• Walk in hand ideally in a sand paddock provided it is safe to do so
• Speak to your vet for advice
• Do not give any pain-relief or other drugs unless instructed to do so by your vet

What is impaction colic?

Impaction colic is a form of colic we see more commonly at this time of year and occurs when gut contents become ‘stuck’ in the colon. Horses generally present with low grade signs of abdominal discomfort but with a history of a reduced appetite and reduced/absent faeces.

How is impaction colic diagnosed?

The diagnosis is based on a combination of historical information, symptoms and veterinary examination. A rectal exam is required to definitively diagnose the impaction.

What is the treatment for impaction colic?

1. Fluids!

• Water and electrolytes are the best way to help soften and shift impaction colic. These are usually delivered via a nasogastric tube which is passed up your horse’s nose and down into their stomach.
• Water buffet – ensure your horse has plenty of water to drink
• Depending on the severity of the impaction repeat tubings is often required at 2–4-hour intervals. Therefore, hospitalisation is required in some cases.

2. Starve!

• The vet will ask you to remove any hay/haylage/grass. This will stop the impaction getting larger in size.

3. Pain relief

• Your vet will give your horse injectable pain relief to keep them comfortable whilst we attempt to clear the impaction.

What can I do to prevent impaction colic?

• Keep up to date with routine dentistry.
• Ensure your horse follows a worm control plan.
• Ensure any dietary changes are made gradually over a 10-14-day period.
• Monitor water intake to ensure your horse is drinking plenty. In winter ensure your horse’s water is not frozen. Consider adding warm water to your horse’s bucket feeds to increase intake. A salt lick should also be provided to stimulate thirst.

If you are concerned your horse is showing signs of colic, please do not hesitate to contact the team. At least two of our Oakhill Equine Vets are on call 24/7, 365 days/year.

Clinical signs of equine asthma, formerly known as COPD or RAO, occur when a genetically susceptible horse inhales an allergen to which they are allergic.

This results in airway spasm and an increased production of mucus and inflammatory cells within the airway resulting in a cough, increased respiratory rate and effort and decreased performance to name but a few. The severity of clinical signs vary from mild to severe.

Dust is commonly implicated, but some horses present during the summer months when pollen levels are high.

Diagnosis is frequently based on compatible clinical signs but can be confirmed through airway endoscopy and laboratory analysis of airway fluid samples.

In the past, treatment of asthma relied heavily on bronchodilators and steroids in addition to environmental modifications.

Recently, nebulised alpha-2-macroglobulins has shown promise in the treatment of asthma cases and equine vet Leona has treated a number of our own patients in addition to referral patients using this product.

Alpha-2-macroglobulins are a natural anti-inflammatory molecule which can be harvested from a patient’s own blood, meaning it is a benign and natural product.

In addition to its use in the treatment of joint disease, it can also be nebulised to treat inflammation associated with equine asthma.

Suitable candidates for treatment include those patients where steroids need to be avoided, patients who have not responded to conventional treatment methods or competition horses who require maintenance therapy.

In summary, a really exciting addition to our toolbox for treating equine asthma!

For more information and to see if your horse could benefit from alpha-2-macroglobulins as a treatment for asthma call 01772 861300 to speak to Leona.