Category Archives: Portfolio

Portfolio, Small Animal Clinic, Sterilisation

Small Animal Sterilisation

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Surgical sterilisation, commonly known as a spay in females and a neuter in males, are the most common surgeries performed in general small animal practice.

 

Why should I sterilise my pet?

The primary importance of sterilisation is to prevent unwanted litters through indiscriminate breeding. Many pet owners assume that their female pets will not fall pregnant if they are confined to a yard or garden. This myth has been disproven time and time again. Females in heat will readily try to escape in order to seek out a mate and male dogs will scale six foot walls to reach a female in heat. Many mismatings have occurred due to this common myth.

It is very difficult to confine an in-season female cat and they will continue to come into season in 3 week cycles until they are mated. Intact tom cats will roam in search of females, increasing their risk of developing abscesses and/or contracting Feline AIDS from fighting with others in the neighbourhood. They will also be more likely to spray urine around your house to mark their territory.

There are also serious medical reasons to sterilise your pets. Unspayed female dogs that undergo numerous heat cycles are at risk of developing pyometra – a life-threatening infection of the uterus, necessitating emergency sterilisation. Unlike regular spays however, this involves the removal of a septic uterus – a far more risky, time-consuming, and expensive operation that is subsidised like regular spays are.

Unspayed females are also at a higher risk for developing mammary cancer (breast cancer) – this risk is dramatically reduced if females are spayed at 6 months of age, prior to the onset of the first heat cycle. Intact male dogs are far more prone to developing prostate problems such as prostatic enlargement, cysts and infection. Intact males are also more likely to be involved in dog fights and are a higher risk for being hit by motor vehicles in their wanderings to seek out a female.

 

Shall we just let her have one litter “for fun”/so that the kids can experience it?

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Please do not do this! There are so many unwanted litters looking for homes, and to add to this population is irresponsible and unfair. One only needs to take a walk around your local SPCA to see the number of animals needing to be rescued and rehomed.

If you wish your children to experience the miracle of canine or feline birth, download a YouTube video, or contact a local breeder to see whether or not they will permit your children to watch a whelping. However, please be aware that the vast majority of pets give birth in the early hours of the morning, and the presence of people, especially excitable children, may lead them to delay labour, resulting in unnecessary complications. From personal experience, most children tend to lose interest in the whole process – a newborn puppy complete with amniotic sac, uterine fluid and blood is not as appealing to children as the six-week old cuddly puppy they are envisioning in their minds!

And don’t forget about the costs involved. Just like in humans, expectant canine and feline mothers should be placed on specialised diets to help ensure a healthy litter. Puppies will also need specialised feeding after birth, as well as vaccinations, deworming and microchipping prior to rehoming. And that’s if everything goes according to plan.

Unforeseen costs include those of veterinary intervention should your pet battle to give birth or require a caesarean, as well as post-partum complications such as metritis (life-threatening uterine infection) and mastitis. Not to mention the possibility that the bitch will refuse to nurse her puppies, leaving you and the kids to bottle-feeding up to sixteen (yes, a litter of sixteen can happen) puppies every two hours! We list these possibilities as they have ALL been seen in small animal practice on more than one occasion.

 

At what age should my pet be sterilised?

Females should be spayed at 6 months of age, prior to the onset of the first season. Males can be neutered from 6 months onwards.

 

What happens when my pet is spayed/neutered?

Spaying a female in surgical terms is an ovariohysterectomy. Both ovaries and uterus are removed so that not only will she not come on heat in future, she also be unable to bear a litter.

Male pets undergo an orchiectomy during which both testicles are completely removed. Unless removed due to pathology such as a tumour, the scrotal sac remains intact. Please note that this is very different from a vasectomy in humans, which involves tying off the spermatic duct while the testicles remain. Your male dog will not undergo a vasectomy and when he arrives home from his neuter, his testicles will no longer be present. This is a permanent surgery!

 

What should I expect on the day my pet is sterilised?

Your pet will be admitted to the clinic for the day. In rare cases, some pets may be kept overnight to reduce the possibility of excessive oozing from the spay wound. Your pet will be given a premed which includes a tranquiliser as well as pain medication. It has been shown that pain control is much improved if animals are given pain medication prior to as well as after surgery.

Animals are anaesthetised with an intravenous anaesthetic, intubated and placed on anaesthetic gas and oxygen throughout the surgical procedure. Smaller pets are placed on heating pads to reduce heat loss during surgery. The surgical site is clipped and prepared aseptically prior to the animal going to theatre.

After the surgery, your pet will be monitored as he/she wakes up from the anaesthetic and the breathing tube is removed as soon as he/she is able to swallow. They are then kept warm and comfortable while they sleep and recover prior to going home. All pets are discharged with post-operative pain medication to keep them as comfortable as possible. Your pet may be a bit sleepy the evening of the surgery, however, they are usually bright and back to their normal selves within 24 – 48 hrs.

 

What are the potential complications of sterilisation?

While every effort is made to ensure a safe anaesthetic and surgery, complications can occur even in healthy animals. Post-operative complications of sterilisation can include:

 

  1. Bleeding from the ovarian blood vessels post-spay. Slipping of the blood vessel ligature/s can occur if your pet jumps on/off furniture or is excessively active post-operatively. This can lead to life-threatening blood loss. If you notice an excessive amount of bleeding through the skin incision, please contact us immediately.
  2. Opening of the abdominal wound (herniation) – this is due to sutures tearing through the muscle layer and is usually caused by your pet jumping post-operatively (particularly in cats). You may notice a swelling under the skin, or in severe cases, tissue may protrude from the skin incision. Cover the area with a moist, clean towel and seek veterinary help immediately

    Kelpie_wearing_an_Elizabethan_collar
    An Australian Kelpie wearing a Buster Collar. (CC 2.0: Louise Docker)
  3. Scrotal haematomas (bleeding into the scrotal sac) can form in over-active boisterous male dogs or in dogs that lick their surgical wounds after neutering. This is more common when older dogs are neutered as the scrotum is more developed. While a certain amount of scrotal swelling is normal post-neuter, a very inflamed, enlarged scrotal sac needs to be evaluated.
  4. Infection of the skin wound and premature suture removal due to your pet licking the incision. This is by far the most common complication – especially in male dogs post-neuter. If your pet is showing excessive interest in his/her incision, please apply a buster collar to prevent this. We recommend a buster collar for ALL dogs post-neuter as licking their incisions is the rule, rather than the exception.

 

As you can see, post-operative confinement and monitoring is very important and we rely on you, the pet owner, to do your part in minimising complications, not only after sterilisation, but after all surgeries or procedures. Animals tend to recover and become active far quicker than we would after a surgery and as a result, it is easy to forget that they too, need time and rest to heal. If you are concerned about your pet post-operatively, please contact us as soon as possible.

 

Isn’t there a hormone or contraception to give pets instead of surgery?

Hormone injections to suppress or delay oestrus (heat) are fraught with danger. They predispose bitches to developing pyometra (see above) and if used in breeding bitches, can interfere with future fertility. These injections are not recommended and most veterinarians will not use them for ethical reasons. Non-breeding females need to be sterilised, and breeding females should be kennelled to prevent mismating.

 

Won’t sterilisation make my pet fat?

Sterilisation does cause metabolism to slow down, however, not all sterilised pets gain weight. Weight gain is not a reason not to sterilise, and sterilisation is not an excuse to have an overweight pet – this can be managed with diet and exercise.

 

If you would like to book your pet in for a sterilisation, please contact us on 031 769 1072.

Portfolio, Vaccinations

Small Animal Vaccinations

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Rabies is rampant in KZN, and as much as you like to think there is nothing you can do about the matter, there is – vaccinate your pets! A viral disease that causes the inflammation of the brain in humans and other warm-blooded mammals, rabies, once contracted, is ALWAYS fatal. Vaccinating your pets is the ONLY way to protect them, your family and others, against this terrifying disease.

Rabies, however, is not the only disease-causing organisms (pathogens) your pet will be exposed to during his/her lifetime. Vaccination against pathogens like the canine parvovirus and feline herpes virus remain the single most effective method of keeping your pet healthy and happy.

 

How does a vaccination work?

Vaccines contain modified or killed strains of viruses and/or bacteria that will stimulate an immune reaction without causing disease. Vaccination stimulates your pet’s immune system to produce antibodies against these pathogens so that when your pet is exposed to these pathogens, the body already has antibodies in place to fight the disease and prevent illness from occurring. It is therefore important that animals are healthy when vaccinated to ensure that their immune systems are able to respond to the vaccine.

Please note that vaccinations are used to prevent disease and will not cure an animal once it has contracted the illness.

 

When should I vaccinate?

Puppies and kittens receive maternal antibodies from their mother’s milk, which provide protection against pathogens for the first few weeks of life. These antibodies are temporary and levels will begin to decline over time, making the puppy/kitten susceptible to disease. Your puppy will therefore need to be vaccinated at  6, 9 and 12 weeks of age, while kittens require two vaccinations at 9 and 12 weeks of age. Rabies vaccines are given at 12 weeks of age with a booster a month later. Another booster should be administered at least a year later.

Why so many? Those maternal antibodies we were talking about can sometimes interfere with vaccines, making it difficult to know whether the animal has adequately responded to a vaccination. As with any biological system, there is no way to predict exactly when this happens so, puppies and kittens require a series of vaccinations to ensure that they will develop sufficient protective antibodies.

 

How soon is vaccination effective?

Antibodies take time to develop and your pet will not be protected immediately. Full protection usually only occurs at least 2 weeks after the vaccine and only after multiple vaccinations in puppies. During this time, puppies are extremely susceptible to Parvo virus, a life-threatening gastrointestinal virus that is only preventable by vaccinating against it. It is essential that booster vaccines are administered on time – delaying vaccination by even a few weeks can result in puppies becoming infected.

 

What vaccines are administered to my pet?

Core (essential) vaccines include the “5-in-1” vaccine in dogs and the “3-in-1” vaccine in cats, and rabies in both species. These provide protection against parvovirus, distemper virus, infectious hepatitis and parainfluenza in dogs and feline herpes virus, calici virus and panleukopaenia virus in cats.

Rabies is a separate vaccine and is administered from the age of 12 weeks and included in your pets’ annual vaccination protocol.

Other pathogens can be included in vaccination protocols, depending on the disease prevalence in the area as well as your pets’ risk of exposure. Kennel cough inoculations are non-core vaccines but are advised if your dog is going to be kennelled or if he/she regularly comes into contact with other dogs (dog training, shows, etc).

 

How often should my adult pet be vaccinated?

Antibody levels naturally decline over time therefore booster vaccinations should be administered to “remind” the immune system to continue producing antibodies. Modified-live virus vaccines have been shown to stimulate antibody production for up to three years, however, there are individual breeds that respond differently to vaccination. Nutrition, internal parasites such as worms, environmental challenge and individual immune status vary between pets and it is not possible to assess individual immune status without measuring antibody titres (blood levels).

Annual rabies vaccination is required by law in KwaZulu-Natal, due to the endemic nature of rabies in the province. Kennel cough vaccines, on the other hand, should be administered every 6 months as the immunity stimulated by bacterial vaccines tends to be more short-lived than their viral counterparts.

Annual vaccinations should include a comprehensive physical examination to allow early detection of heart disease, kidney disease and tumours. This is often the only time “healthy” pets are presented for a routine check-up and is vital for early detection of underlying disease before it becomes a clinical problem.

 

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Eye Disease

Eye Conditions

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Equine eyesight is particularly sensitive, with even the smallest injury quickly leading to disease and then blindness. It should therefore be of no surprise that at Equis Veterinary Practice we consider the successful treatment of equine eye conditions to be of the utmost importance.

 

Clinical signs of eye disease.

A horse showing any or a combination of the following signs should be examined by a veterinarian as a matter of urgency:

  • Pain, which leads to partial of complete closure of the eyelids
  • Excessive tear production
  • Swelling of eyelid/s
  • Redness
  • Rubbing the eye
  • Change in corneal appearance – a normal, healthy cornea is clear, while an unhealthy one may become blue/cloudy
  • Differences in pupil size between eyes
  • Flecks of material in the fluid of the eye.

 

Common conditions.

Corneal disease or injury.

Probably the most common eye condition associated with horses, corneal disease or injury is essentially damage to the surface of the eye. While the eyelids and lacrimal system work to protect the eye, it is the cornea that has the most important barrier function, protecting the deeper structures of the eye from micro-organisms. Damage to this area is, more often than not, due to the exposure of the equine cornea to harmful agents.

 

Corneal ulcerations

A corneal ulcer occurs when there is loss of corneal epithelium. Common causes of corneal ulceration including: direct trauma, foreign bodies, eyelid dysfunction, eyelid tumours, and abnormal or extra growth of eyelashes that may scratch the cornea. The most common cause, however, is a scratch to the surface of the eye.

Horses can scratch their eyes easily while grazing in tall grass or shrubbery. Another common method, particularly among race horses, occurs when dirt is thrown into the face and eye by another horse.  The result is a superficial ulceration of the cornea.

Positive stain of a deep ulcer within a shallow ulcer (ulcerated area shown in green dye).
Positive stain of a deep ulcer within a shallow ulcer (ulcerated area shown in green dye).

Simple, uncomplicated corneal ulcerations usually heal quickly, however, many ulcers are complicated by infection. The surface of a horse’s eye is typically rich in bacteria and fungi. Not to worry – under normal conditions these bacteria are harmless to the eye. In the case of corneal ulcers, however, the bacteria and fungi may enter the ulceration, causing it to extend through the full depth of the cornea, eventually rupturing the eye and blinding the horse. So, as you can see, an otherwise simple scratch can quickly become a vision-threatening condition. We therefore recommend that all corneal ulcers receive immediate veterinary attention.

When treating an simple and uncomplicated ulcer, we focus on the prevention of infection while we wait for the cornea to heal. In more complicated cases, when infection has already occurred, the infecting bacteria and fungi are aggressively attacked through treatment with anti-microbials. In the most severe cases, this treatment may involve treatment every two hours, around the clock.

 

Melting Ulcers

If left to run amok, the infection and severe inflammation typically associated with a deep complicated ulcer can quickly lead to a “melting ulcer”. A “melting ulcer” is  an uncontrolled infection or inflammatory response in the stroma that leads to liquefaction of the cornea. Melting ulcers are not uncommon in horses and constitute a genuine ocular emergency because of how quickly the cornea may perforate.

 

Herpes keratitis

Herpes keratitis is the only recognised infectious cause of equine corneal ulcers. Infection of the eye with the Herpes virus can result in the development of pinprick ulcers in the cornea. These can easily be treated with topical antiviral medication.

 

Stromal abscesses

Fungal stromal abscess (cream dot in eye circled in red)
Fungal stromal abscess
(cream dot in eye
circled in red)

A stromal abscess occurs when a small pinprick ulcer becomes infected with bacteria and/or fungi. The ulcer heals quickly, trapping the infection within the deep layers of the cornea, a.k.a. the stroma. This type of ulcer differs from other infected ulcers because the epithelium of the cornea remains intact – which is also why treatment of stomal abscesses is difficult.

Treatment of stromal abscesses is challenging as many medications struggle to penetrate into the abscess. Medical treatment of stromal abscesses may take up to two to three months and a treatment tube should be inserted to ensure easy medication. Occasionally surgical intervention is indicated.

 

Habronema

Another important disease of the eye results from a Habronema infection. Such infections occur when flies lay eggs onto conjunctiva, which then develop into microscopic maggots. Initially the infected eye may appear like conjunctivitis, but examination by a veterinarian will confirm infection by maggot. Treatment includes the physical removal of the maggots, followed by application of specialised mediation.

Help prevent infection by regularly deworming your horse or pony with Ivermectin.

 

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a common term that most people use to describe a red and irritated eye. It actually means inflammation of the conjunctiva and can be caused by bacterial, viral or parasitic infection, irritation from flies or even a dusty environment. An eye with conjunctivitis should not be painful. While it may appear that conjunctivitis is common and not an emergency, it is often a symptom of another underlying eye disease.

 

Eyelid lacerations

It is not uncommon for horses to injure their eyelids, but it is essential that all efforts are made to repair the damage as soon as possible. Failure to do so can lead to undue pain, corneal irritation, and chronic weepy eye.

 

Eyelid Tumours

Tumours that arise on, or near, the eyelids may encroach on the cornea resulting in chronic irritation and the possible ulceration of the cornea. Before these problems occur, it is recommended that the tomour be surgically removed and/or treated using chemotherapy. It is essential that treatment is sought as soon as a tumour is identified, as the attempted removal of a large tumour can result in the creation of defects that would impede the eyelids ability to protect the eye.

 

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common eyelid tumour in horses – especially in those less pigmented breeds like Paints and Appaloosas. Early in its development the disease resembles a low grade inflammation, with a slight mucous discharge and reddening often occurring. As it progresses, the carcinoma becomes more vegetative-like and may even begin to ulcerate.  Lesions may also be found on the eyelids, including the third eyelid.

Lesions, particularly on the third eyelid, can be treated by the use of a topical atropine. Because even minor damage to the cornea can cause a reflex uveitis, dilating the pupil is an important part of this treatment. Surgery may be called for, should deeper corneal ulcers develop. This surgery will help to protect the cornea from damage, promote healing, and reduce the risk of perforation.

When it comes to squamous cell carcinoma related surgery, options include conjunctival graftin, and temporary tarsorraphy.

Performed under general anaesthesia, conjunctival grafting is a process whereby the conjunctiva is surgically transplanted onto the defective cornea. This is done by loosening a small flap of the conjunctiva and then pulling it to cover the entire cornea. The purpose of these grafts is to provide the cornea a direct blood supply, thereby promoting its healing. The grafts also provide structural support to areas with extremely thin cornea. Once the cornea has healed, the graft may be surgically trimmed to reduce the area of scarring.

Medication tube inserted into horses eye - eyelids sewn shut to help protect the eye.
Medication tube inserted into horses eye – eyelids sewn shut to help
protect the eye.

A temporary tarsorraphy is a common procedure wherein the eyelids are temporarily sutured together to provide protection for the diseased eye. Although it may sound simple, this technique dramatically improves healing. That being said, it does however have its down side. Having the eyelids sutured together makes it difficult to apply any medication directly to the eye. You may therefore find that your vet will choose to insert a treatment tube through the eyelids so as to administer medication directly to the eye.

 

Bullous keratopathy

A corneal bulla
A corneal bulla

Bullous keratopathy is a non-specific diagnosis that describes the formation of severe corneal oedema that give the appearance of the cornea hanging over the lower eyelid margin. This condition results either from an extensive shallow ulcer that allows fluid to enter the corneal stroma from the tear film, or from the occurrence of a blunt trauma that damages the edothelium and causes fluid from inside the eye to penetrate the cornea. Although scary to look at, it is manageable if treated as an intensive medical condition.

 

Uveitis

Particularly prevalent among Appaloosas, who are genetically predisposed to the disease, Uveitis is the most common cause of blindness in horses. Uveitis is a technical term used to describe the inflammation of the internal structures of the eye. It is an extremely painful condition and, although more commonly known as a secondary condition associated with ocular injury or disease, it can sometimes be the primary reason behind the horse’s discomfort.

In caring for an eye afflicted with Uveitis is is essential that the underlying disease first be identified and treated. If no such primary infection is eivident, then symptomatic treatment of the Uveitis  is necessary to relieve pain and reduce the chance to permanent damage to the eye. Should our vets be unable to prevent a loss of vision, then we will implement a treatment protocol that will include eliminating the pain, and minimising owner expense and effort. Often the best way to achieve this is the surgical removal of the eye. Enucleation – a surgical process that removes the eye, but leaves the affiliated muscles and orbital contents in tact – has very few patient side effects and, once surgery-related pain has subsided, leaves the horse comfortable and free to live a long, healthy life.

 

Treatment

When it comes to the treatment of equine eye conditions, the main hurdle to effective care is the horse itself. Eyes requiring intensive treatment are painful and so it can be very difficult, if not impossible to, effectively and consistently apply the required medication. That is why Equis Veterinary Practice is committed to providing you and your horse with a treatment regime that is not only effective, but also as painless as possible.

Equine eye diseases may be treated medicinally or surgically, depending on the condition with which the horse is affected. Treatment may, however, include:

  • Resolution of the primary cause of disease e.g. foreign body removal.
  • Administering broad spectrum antibiotic/ antifungal directly to affected eye to treat a microbial infection.
  • Pain management through the use of pain killers and anti-inflammatories
  • Surgery
Undergoing treatment for injury to third eyelid
Undergoing treatment for injury to third eyelid
Recovery after surgical treatment for third eyelid injury
Recovery after surgical treatment
Lameness, Portfolio

Equine Lameness Examination

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Lameness investigations are something of a passion at Equis Veterinary Practice. We pride ourselves on providing clients with top quality, thorough lameness investigations.

 

Equine lameness examination.

Chronic lameness

Chronic lameness is best evaluated at our facility on our firm and level surface, where the horses gait is observed at the walk and trot in hand and on the lunge. Following a thorough clinical examination a diagnosis may be reached and treatment prescribed. Further diagnostic tests, however, may be required to identify the source of the lameness.

 

The lameness indicator.

An invaluable tool, the lameness locator is a diagnostic aid for detecting lameness in horses. Nerve and joint blocks are used to desensitise regions of the limb, allowing for a targeted analysis that measures the vertical motion of the torso, calculating the differences in maximum and minimum head and pelvic position between the right and left halves of the stride. This enables us to pinpoint the site of the lameness in your horse.

Please note that the lameness locator is only an effective tool when used as part of an extensive lameness examination performed by a trained veterinarian. Often digital x-ray or ultrasound imaging is also required be a complete diagnosis can be made and treatment discussed. That being said, the lameness locator may be employed in the treatment of your horse, so as to accurately assess its response to treatment therapies and monitor its rehabilitation.

 

colt-237846_640Musculoskeletal problems in foals.

With equine breeding being so close to our hearts, its not surprising that we have gained considerable experience in the treatment of musculoskeletal abnormalities in foals.  If quickly identified and treated, abnormalities like slack or contracted tendons, or angular limb deformities can be improved upon and need not hinder the animal later in life. For treatment to be successful, however, the foals need to be seen to as soon as possible after birth – within the first few days of life, in fact.

 

Equine Lameness Treatment

irap® treatment

Osteoarthritis, aka Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and is one of the main causes of lameness in horses. It occurs when the cartilage surrounding the joints is destroyed, leading to a great deal of pain and inflammation. Those areas that are affected the most are the knee, hock, fetlock and coffin joints. Usually, therapy involves intra-articular medications such as hyaluronic acid and/or steroids, rest, NSAIDS (bute or banamine), shockwave therapy, polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) such as Adequan, intravenous hyaluronic acid (Legend), and oral supplements (for example GLC5500) that contain glucosamine and/or chondrotin sulfate.

Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (irap®) treatment is a progressive gene therapy that can be used to combat osteoarthritis in your horse. A type of cytokine secreted by cells of the immune system, Interleukin-1 (IL-1) an important part of the inflammatory response. Although an important part of an immune systems reaction to infection, IL-1 can be detrimental to your horses health as it can cause the accelerated deterioration of joint cartilage. By using Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (irap®) to block IL-1 from binding to tissues, we can, however, inhibit its damaging effect on the joints.

The procedure begins with drawing blood into a syringe from the horse that will be treated with irap®. The syringe is specially prepared with glass beads that stimulate production of the antagonist protein and an anticoagulant. The blood is harvested, incubated and centrifuged so as to separate the plasma (abundant with irap®) from the blood. This is then injected back into the affected joint/s. These treatments are typically once a week for three weeks, and after that time the horse can usually return to normal work.

irap® is another therapy to be added to the battery of weapons that the equine veterinarian has to combat osteoarthritis in your horse. The reason it is so exciting is its potential for a long-term effect on combating osteoarthritis by stopping the cartilage matrix from being degraded and increasing healing. It has the ability to stop the inflammation cycle and bring comfort to your horse.

 

Farriery and corrective shoeing

Commonly prescribed in the management of equine lameness, corrective and/or therapeutic shoeing are used to correct faulty conformation and treat disease of, and/or injury to, the feet and legs. With a specialist interest in equine podiatry, practice veterinarian Dr Gabor Lukacs DrMedVet MRCVS is skilled in the use of corrective farriery in the treatment of lameness in foals, sports and race horses.

To make an appointment with Dr Lukacs, or to have your horse expertly shod by any of the other accredited and qualified farriers visiting our practice, please call Hayley on 031 769 1072.

 

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is often prescribed in the treatment of lameness or as a form of post-operative rehabilitation. Just like their human counterparts, competitive sports horses are prone to musculoskeletal injuries such as back pain, muscle strain,and soft tissue injuries. Adding physiotherapy to your horse’s treatment regime can not only aid in recovery, but also help your horse to achieve his/her maximum potential.

Apart from being a qualified equine veterinarian, Dr Jeanne Botha also possesses an honours degree in Physiotherapy. She specialises in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a manual manipulative treatment used to treat the body as a whole, and not just the symptoms. Other areas of interest include using manual therapy in the maintenance of competitive sports horses and animal rehabilitation.

To make an appointment with Dr Botha, please call us on 031 769 1072.

Reproduction, Slider

Reproduction

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The Equis Veterinary Practice offers its clients a wide range of services as far as equine reproduction goes. From routine pregnancy and follicle scans, to assisted breeding, Artificial Insemination (AI), and stallion semen collection and storage –  we do it all.

 

Increase the probability of a positive result

The daily monitoring of your mare’s reproductive cycle via ovarian ultrasounds/scans allows us to asses follicle (egg) growth and to accurately predict ovulation. This increases the chance of conception by ensuring that insemination occurs at the most opportune time. Uterine lavage and antibiotic infusions are often also utilised to maximise pregnancy rates.

 

Failing to conceive?

Problem mare investigation and treatment is also frequently carried out at our equine hospital. Such investigations may include uterine culture, biopsy and endoscopy of your mare.

 

horses-84374_640Embryo transfers

Simply put, embryo transfer is the transfer of a very young embryo from a donor to a surrogate mare. The surrogate then carries the foal to complete development, gives birth to it and raises it. As you can imagine, this is a particularly valuable breeding tool for those looking to breed from a superior mare, but unwilling to risk a pregnancy bringing her competitive career to a halt.

Other situations in which embryo transfers may be advantageous include:

  • When a mare is unable to bring offspring to full term due physiological or health reasons.
  • The mare is younger than 2 – 3 years of age.
  • Multiple offspring from a single superior mare is desired in one year.

Responsible for the first foal born via successful embryo transfer in KZN, Dr Langley BVSc MMed is renowned as an expert in the field. She is one of the few vets in the region currently performing consistently successful embryo transfers. Should you be interested in pursuing this option, Dr Langley will gladly sit down and discuss the procedure with you and any other interested parties, and help you develop a plan that will ensure that maximum success is be achieved in this regard.

 

Foaling Down Services

As the due date approaches, clients are encouraged to move their mares to our facility, where cameras in the stables will allow us to monitor your mare’s progress. In the final days leading up to the birth, 24 hour personal supervision is implemented. Such individualised care allows Equis staff to accurately assess and monitor the health of your mare and foal, and ensures that our on-site veterinarian is on hand to help ensure a safe delivery.

 

Cost effective breeding from Equis Veterinary Practice

Although procedures like embryo transfers are typically regarded as being costly, here at Equis Veterinary Practice we have dedicated ourselves to offering a more cost effective packages that ensures maximum results while minimising costs for unsuccessful attempts.

Wherever possible we encourage our clients to truck / float there horses to our practice. Not only does this enable us to offer clients a full reproductive service, but also significantly reduces the costs associated with equine breeding.

 

Portfolio, Pre-purchase

Pre-Purchase Vetting

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Whether you’re purchasing for pleasure or performance, hidden defects can be costly, both financially and emotionally. That is why we recommend to our clients that they invest in a a complete and thorough evaluation of the horse or pony before they flash their cash.

 

The vetting gold-standard.

Performed in accordance with South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) guidelines, a standard pre-purchase vetting consists of a thorough physical examination that includes an evaluation of the horses’ gait at the walk, trot and canter, as well as under saddle. The animals are examined before, during and after exercise, and aspects of the neurological system are also considered. Flexion tests are also performed during the vetting process.

 

Getting a more detailed clinical look.

Additional examinations are offered for those looking for more thorough testing. These tests may include lameness evaluation using our lameness locator, clinical analyses via digital x-ray, upper respiratory tract endoscopy, and drug testing. Please make sure to discuss all your per-purchase requirements with with our veterinarians prior to the evaluation.

 

Call us on 031 769 1072 to book a horse in for an evaluation today.