Category: EQUINE

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.

Alpha-2-macroglobulin is a large protein that circulates in the bloodstream of our horses. Its job is to bind inflammatory enzymes and remove them from the site of injury.

At Oakhill, we have invested in a special centrifuge which enables us to collect blood from your horse and create a concentrated plasma full of this anti-inflammatory protein. This plasma can then be injected into joints in cases of osteoarthritis and can even be used to treat soft tissue injuries too. Wherever there is inflammation this substance can be safely injected into the area, without the risk of laminitis which is often a concern related to the use of corticosteroids in horses.

There is no withdrawal time from competition to worry about either, and often no need for long periods out of ridden exercise depending on the underlying issue being treated.

This procedure takes around four hours to be performed so can be done at the clinic on a half-day appointment.

We have seen zero side effects related to the use of this product to date. The great news is that surplus plasma can also be frozen to be used at a later date (within a year). We are happy to store it in a sterile manner at Oakhill. If you are interested in finding out more about alpha-2-macroglobulin plasma for the treatment of joint disease, please do not hesitate to give one of our lameness vets a call.

We’ve got the kit, you’ve got the ponies!

Whilst our state-of-the-art clinic at Goosnargh is still the gold standard for investigating lameness, Oakhill recognises that travelling to the clinic is not always an option for our horses.

Over the last four years we have been investing in our staff and equipment and now have five vets with special interest and expertise in lameness investigation ready to bring top-level care to your yard. We have two digital x-ray machines and an ultrasound scanner to rapidly and accurately diagnose a range of orthopaedic conditions in horses.

If you have two or more horses with a lameness or poor performance issue and suitable facilities, we can now organise a lameness clinic at your yard. Here we will provide two orthopaedic vets, a full set of equipment and the ability to provide treatment and expert support for many common issues.

If you would like  to find out more about our on yard lameness clinics, speak to our team on 01772 861300.

Insects are more than just a nuisance for horses – they can spread disease, cause discomfort and can lead to skin and health problems such as conjunctivitis, sweet itch and aural plaques. Implementing a comprehensive insect control programme is essential for equine well-being, especially during peak fly seasons. Here are our key strategies to help you and your horse this summer.

Environmental Management

Control begins at the source. Removal of droppings from pasture at least once daily will help with reducing fly numbers (and of course, is all part of good worm prevention)! Proper drainage around stables and pastures helps reduce numbers of midges, and muck heaps should be kept at as far a distance away from your stables as possible.

Physical Barriers and Repellents

Fly masks and sheets provide a physical defence against biting insects. For our horses that suffer with sweet-itch, wearing a fly sheet during all hours of the day is essential, starting early in the season before the midges come out to play! Topical sprays and ointments containing DEET or natural oils (e.g. citronella) offer short-medium term protection. We can also prescribe topical solutions or tags containing cypermethrin (typically used to treat lice) which can be used as fly repellents where appropriate for your horse.

Vaccination

A sweet itch vaccine is available and may help reduce sweet itch symptoms in some horses. Whilst this vaccine is for ringworm, it has been used off licence and been reported to assist in managing clinical  of sweet itch. The vaccine is administered as a two injection course, prior to the start of midge season (typically around March).

If you would like to learn more, feel free to contact our office on 01772 861300 to speak with one of our vets.

Jack is a 15-year-old Morgan horse gelding, owned by our vet Roisin, who started with a moderate right hindlimb lameness noticed during schooling exercise. He was admitted to the clinic and had nerve blocks performed which isolated the lameness to the upper cannon region.

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s been a bit warm outside recently. Therefore we thought we would re-share our top tips to keep your horses cool in this weather:

• Try to ride very early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the worst of the heat
• The average horse will not lose much fitness from a day or two off, so if they’re struggling in the heat give them a rest day
• If your stables are cooler than outside, consider turning out overnight and bringing in during the day
• Similarly,  if your stables are like a sauna, consider leaving horses out 24/7 if appropriate
• Always have multiple sources of water available so that if one gets knocked over there is still some left
• If competing,  ensure you pack plenty of water (for drinking and washing off), try to park in the shade, create as much airflow in your lorry/trailer as possible, and be sensible about how many classes you do, or whether you go at all
• If your horse is a ‘fussy drinker’ away from home try adding some pony cubes, sugarbeet or grated fruit and veg to your water to encourage them to drink
• Electrolytes can be added to feed to encourage drinking and replace those lost in sweat
• If washing your horse off with the hosepipe, check the water is running cool first. It can heat up in the hosepipe and be almost boiling if left in the sun
• Use copious amounts of cool water for washing hot horses off with, and do not panic about scraping it off
• Apply lots of sunblock to delicate pink noses, or use a fly mask with a nose net
• Avoid oily grooming lotions and potions as these can heat up and cause burns
• Consider clipping any hairy Cushing’s patients who are still holding onto their coats
• Agree to never moan about our normal Lancashire weather again!

If you have any concerns at all, please contact us on 01772 861300.