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FURTHER
DETAIL ON SERVICES AVAILABLE
Arthroscopic
Surgery
We have a full range of equipment and instruments to perform
arthroscopic surgery (key hole surgery) for conditions such
as chip fractures, arthritis of the joint and tendon sheath
disease.
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Angular
Limb Deformities
Angular limb deformities in the foal can be so severe that
surgical intervention is advised from an early age and excellent
results can be achieved. By slowing or accelerating the
growth of one side of the limb it is possible to correct
even some of the most severe deformities.
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Fracture Repair
Any
kind of performance by the equine athlete, even galloping in
the field, can lead to fractures. The most common fracture type
that is surgically repaired at the clinic is the proximal pastern
fracture of the standardbred, which is lag screw fixated as
shown below. Excellent results are achieved and return to racing
is usually prompt.
Joint Lavage
Joint
inflammation and infection can be quickly and easily treated
under anaesthesia by lavage of the affected joint. By removing
bacteria, inflammatory cells and other unwanted debris from
the joint, an environment conducive to healing is created.
Joint
Therapy (IRAP)
The
Canterbury Equine Clinic has recently invested in an exciting
new treatment for the management of arthritis and degenerative
joint disease in horses. IRAP Therapy is especially useful in
horses that either do not respond to, or show decreasing levels
of response to, conventional anti-inflammatory joint medication
(e.g. Hyaluronic acid/cortisone joint injections).
Click here to read more about IRAP
Therapy.
Shockwave
Therapy
The Canterbury Equine Clinic now offers shock wave therapy as
a means of aiding in a horse's recovery from a variety of injuries
and ailments. Shock wave treatment is used successfully for
treatment of musculoskeletal disorders including suspensory
ligament strain, stress fractures, sacroiliac (back) pain, sesamoiditis,
splints, navicular syndrome, curb, stifle and cannon bone cysts,
tendonitis and muscle strains.
Click here to read more about
Shock Wave Therapy.
Laryngeal Surgery
The equine larynx commonly suffers from a condition called laryngeal
hemiplegia, or 'roaring.' These horses usually have exercise
intolerance and make a roaring sound when they are worked at
speed due to the air rushing past the paralysed flap of cartilage.
Treatment involves tying back the paralysed cartilage to re-open
the airway.
DDSP (Dorsal Displacement of the Soft
Palate)
Dorsal Displacement of the soft palate of the horse is a common
cause of exercise intolerance and upper respiratory noise. Surgical
intervention such as a myectomy (cutting the muscles) or resection
(shortening the soft palate) can stop the displacement from
occurring, allowing a quick and successful return to performance.
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Epiglottic
Entrapment
It is possible for the epiglottis to be trapped beneath
folds of mucosa (arytenoepiglottic folds) which can decrease
exercise tolerance and cause a respiratory noise. By cutting
the fold away the epiglottis can then return to normal function.
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Sinus
and Dental Surgeries
Tooth root infections and infections within the sinus can
be treated surgically at the clinic.
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Colic Surgery
Surgeons
at the CEC operate on a small number of colic patients every
year. Many colic cases are treated medically at the clinic,
some requiring around the clock intensive care management.
Exploratory Laparotomy
Exploration
of the abdomen or thorax is sometimes indicated in the very
ill patient and can be carried out quickly and as safely as
possible at the clinic. Biopsies can be taken, aiding with a
diagnosis that may previously have been elusive without surgical
intervention.
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Bladder
Surgery
Removal
of bladder stones and repair of the ruptured bladder in
the foal are performed.
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Cryptorchidectomy
(Rig Op)
It
is reasonably common for the male equine to have one, or sometimes
even two, undescended testicles. The teste can be sitting high
in the abdomen or in the inguinal ring area. Removal of both
testicles at castration is vital to ensure the colt/stallion
cannot serve mares as this condition is hereditary.
Primary Closure Castration
Primary
closure castration involves removal of both testes through skin
incisions that are then closed. This technique is carried out
in the surgical suite and is the safest means of castration
as there is virtually no risk of herniation.
Ovariectomy
Tumours in the ovaries or behavioural problems can necessitate
removing the ovaries of the mare.
Caesarian Section
Foaling
is a very fast and vigorous process in the mare. Complications
can arise very quickly and to save the foal it is vital that
a caesarian be performed very quickly. We are able to walk the
mare straight off the transporter and into the surgery for an
emergency caesarian section.
Rectovaginal Fistula Repair
During
foaling, or at service, the mare can sustain an injury that
splits the shelf between her rectum and her vagina. It is vital
that this is repaired for future pregnancies to be successful.
This shelf can be carefully rebuilt so contamination of the
vagina from the rectum cannot occur.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery
utilises the effect of freezing cells using liquid nitrogen
in order to cause death of the margins of lesions. It is beneficial
in the treatment of tumours and sarcoids
Wound Repair
Many
wounds become complicated by the structures that may be involved
in the underlying tissue. Common complications include extension
of the wound into joints or tendons. A bone sequestrum may form
if a piece of bone is separated and becomes infected after a
laceration, causing a non-healing wound. It is essential that
these sequestrums be surgically removed before the wound can
heal.
Skin Mass Removal
Tumours,
sarcoids, lumps and bumps can be removed under aseptic, surgical
conditions, giving the horse every opportunity to heal rapidly
and without scars, which is important in the performance horse.
Skin Grafting
Extensive
wounds may warrant skin grafting. Because a bed of granulation
tissue is required prior to grafting, the graft is performed
some weeks after the initial injury. Different types of grafts
are used, the most common being the autogenous (i.e from the
same patient,) island graft in which full thickness sections
of skin are placed in the granulation bed.
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Nerve
and Joint Blocks
Local anaesthesia is used commonly in the process of diagnosing
equine lameness. By blocking specific nerves in the lame
limb it is possible to localize the specific area of pain
that may be leading to lameness. Further investigation of
the target area using ultrasound and/or radiography can
then be performed.
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Digital Radiography
The
CEC now offers Digital Radiography (DR). Instead of using
film, the x-rays are converted to a light signal which is
digitized in the x-ray plate and sent directly to a computer.
This
means improved diagnostic capability, as the image quality
is greatly superior to film and images can be manipulated
and magnified, as well as increased efficiency, as each
image takes approximately 5 seconds to appear on the computer
screen for viewing. In essence, with our new DR system,
we can diagnose problems more accurately in less than half
the time. The rapidity of the system is also very useful
for vet checks, where many images of multiple joints are
required.
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Overground
Equine Endoscope
Announcing a first for the South Island: While at a recent
AAEP conference in Texas, Bill secured for the clinic a new
"Overground Equine Endoscope". This allows us to diagnose
the cause performance horses with poor perfomance and abnormal
wind noises associated with exercise. This state of the art
tool provides a video of the upper respiratory tract during
work, allowing us to accurately diagnose bleeders, roarers,
displaced soft palates, causes of pharyngeal restriction and
or collapse, and more. This technology has shed new light
on some of the respiratory conditions that we see affecting
horses, and has resulted in new approaches to some of the
treatments and surgery we do. |
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Ultrasonography
We
frequently use ultrasonography in order to scan equine tendons
after suspected injuries. By using ultrasound we are able
to provide clients with accurate diagnoses of tendinous
injuries, design appropriate treatment regimens, and monitor
the healing process. We also use ultrasound to scan the
abdominal cavities of horses that present to the clinic
with colic.
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Nuclear
Scintigraphy
In
2005 a separate air-conditioned suite was built on the premises
to house our scintigraphy unit. The process of scintigraphy,
or bone scanning, involves injecting a radioactive isotope
into the horse's body and observing areas of increased uptake
of the isotope using a camera. The radioactivity is increased
in areas of the body that are undergoing inflammatory reactions
and/or boney remodelling. Although most of our scintigraphic
analyses focus on the skeleton, soft tissues can also be
visualized for muscular, tendinous or ligamentous damage.
Scintigraphy is a useful method of resolving more complicated
lameness cases when the cause of the lameness remains elusive
using radiography and ultrasonography alone.
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Abdominocentesis
Sampling
the fluid that bathes the organs of the abdomen can assist in
the diagnosis of many conditions. Our resident haematologist
can interpret these samples immediately, allowing fast and accurate
diagnosis and treatment.
Abdominal Scan
Using ultrasound we are able to visualize the organs within
the abdominal cavity, an important method of diagnosing a variety
of ailments from colics to peritonitis.
Gastroscopy
Stomach
ulcers can affect performance and overall condition of horses
dramatically. The clinic has a gastroscope that is capable of
visualizing the stomach lining. The extent of ulceration can
then be photographed and monitored throughout treatment and
recovery.
Video Endoscopy
Endoscopy
of the upper airway can be performed during ambulatory calls
or at the clinic. Each veterinarian carries with them an endoscope
in their vehicles. This allows for fast diagnosis of respiratory
diseases and conditions, which often necessitates scoping soon
after the horse has been worked. At the clinic a video endoscope
is available for scoping and recording structures such as guttural
pouches, arytenoid cartilages and nasal passages. It is also
possible, using endoscopy, to obtain tracheal wash samples for
analysis of bacterial and inflammatory conditions.
Electrocardiography (E.C.G)
Our clinic is equipped with an E.C.G. machine, allowing detailed
examination of the electrical conductivity of the heart. Heart
scores are calculated routinely as a component of pre-purchase
examinations.
Cystoscopy
The video endoscope can be passed into the bladder to visualize
bladder stones and other bladder pathology.
Ophthalmology
Eye
problems can be assessed at the clinic using an ophthalmoscope.
Our consultant ophthalmologist, Dr. S. Heap BVSc, Cert V.Ophthal,
is sometimes called upon for complicated cases involving the
eyes. He performs detailed examinations and surgical procedures
as required.
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Routine
Dental Examination, Performance Power Dental Procedures.
Dental
health has a large impact on the general health and well
being of horses. In recent times, researchers have studied
and refined many of the dentistry procedures we have used.
Yearly routine dental examinations are still indicated -
to ensure the diet you feed your horse is properly chewed
and digested, to maintain him/her on the best condition.
Research has shown that good dental health prevents some
serious colic conditions, and we know now it plays a very
important place in the performance horse.
 
Marieke van den Enden, our resident veterinary dentist,
arrrived in New Zealand in August 2009 to do an internship
at the clinic. She has studied dentistry in Scotland, USA
and more recently Australia - in advanced dentistry.
Now settled in New Zealand she is available to consult for
routine dental cases, having a particular interest in dentistry
for the performance horse and those difficult dental issues.
Appointments can be made with Marieke by calling the clinic:
03 3494791.
Gerard Tracey continues to conduct a weekly Thursday workshop
at the clinic - to contact him please phone 021 772 888.
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Farrier
A
farrier workshop is conducted once a week at the clinic.
Combining our xray facilities, along with the extensive
experience of our resident farrier, Grant Nyhan, corrective
and therapeutic shoeing can be carried out in a safe, clean
environment. Combining expertise from both the farrier and
the vet ensures optimal trimming and shoeing for each individual
patient.
To contact Grant Nyhan directly, please phone:
027 229 0427
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Pre-Purchase Examinations
The
clinic is equipped to provide comprehensive examination of horses
prior to purchase. Pre-purchase examination is recommended for
all horses regardless of the intended use or the value of the
horse.
The purpose of the examination is not to pass or fail a horse,
but to alert the buyer to any pre-existing conditions determined
during the examination. This information ensures that an informed
decision can be made.
Ancillary examinations, such as endoscopy, radiography, E.C.G.
and a reproduction examination may also be required.
The completed pre-purchase examination includes the following
three statements:
1: Buyers statement - there
are two forms, please select from the following, download, complete
and email/fax to us the correct file:
a)
Where the current owner is a person that is/are/has been a
client of the Canterbury Equine Clinic use this form:
- "Buyers
statement - client of clinic" (PDF 48kb)
In this case we also require the owner to complete a Waiver
Of Information (PDF 28kb) to be completed by the owner
- please refer to the clinic to arrange this.
b) Where the current owner is a person that is NOT
a client of the Canterbury Equine Clinic use this form:
- "Buyers
statement - NOT a client" (PDF 43kb)
If you require a blood test for anti-inflammatories to be
peformed at the time of examination (approx $220+GST) - please
download and return this form - "Blood
Test - Buyer" (PDF 23kb)
2:
Owners Statment -
download
this file now (PDF 30kb) - this is completed by the current
owner at the time of examination, it is included as part of
the final report to the prospective purchaser.
3: Veterinarians Report
- completed by the examining veterinarian, this is a report
of any relevant findings during the of the clincial examination
and any other ancilliary examinations (xrays, ultrasound, etc).
These
three statements combine together to provide the buyer with
a lawful, thorough document that can be used as part of the
decision process in purchasing the horse. If there are any questions
in regards to the pre-purchase examination please do not hesitate
to contact us.
To request a pre-purchase examination please contact the clinic
by telephone and we can organize this for you.

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