Internal Medicine & Pediatric Care

Equine Endoscopy

Although humans and animals are different in many ways, some advances in human medicine are also very useful for veterinary patients. One of these advances, endoscopy, has proven to be a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in veterinary medicine. As a practice, we consider it a goal to offer state-of-the-art medicine and diagnostic testing; so, we are proud to offer endoscopy as a means of providing a higher level of quality care to our patients. 

A fiberoptic endoscope is a long, narrow tube with a tiny camera at the tip. An endoscope can be rigid or very flexible, depending on what procedure it is used for. It can also be sterilized so that it can safely be inserted into the body. Endoscopic equipment can have many uses in veterinary medicine. For example, with a patient understanding sedation/anesthesia, an endoscope can be inserted into the nostril to examine the upper & lower airways, esophagus, trachea, stomach, and upper intestine. In a referral setting, an endoscope can be inserted through a small incision into a body cavity to permit us to examine the surface of organs, such as the liver or kidneys, or to look inside a joint, such as the knee.

Endoscopy provides us with a full-color, magnified view of the area of interest. Additionally, endoscopic procedures are usually non-invasive or minimally invasive. We strive to offer our patients the highest level of medicine, and we are glad to be able to offer endoscopy as one of our diagnostic procedures.

Pediatric Care

Foaling season starts around Jan 1st each year. This time of year is the busiest for our pediatric and internal medicine veterinarians. 

Dystocia

Dystocia means "difficult or obstructed labor." This can be caused by many issues such as a very large foal, abnormal position, or the shoulders can be too large and become stuck in the mare's pelvis.  At this point a veterinarian and team of technicians will assist the mare by anesthetizing her and carefully pulling the foal out to save both mother and baby.

Once the baby is delivered, the team will start cleaning the foal and administering oxygen. An IV catheter will be placed to start the baby on antibiotics if needed and a stomach tube inserted to make sure baby gets all the nutrients required until it can nurse on its own. At the end of the day the hope is for a delivery of a healthy foal and speedy recovery for the mare.

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