There are a wide arrange of facilities on offer at HRLE which allow us to deal with all our in- patient and out-patient needs.
These include:
We have the facilities to stable 16 in-patients in addition to the 6 paddocks that are available for individual turn out.
In addition to the routine and intensive care facilities, we also have an isolation unit which allows for the safe treatment of the individuals without jeopardising the health of our other in-patients
Our 24hr residential team of veterinary house surgeons monitor our patients day and night.
The practice has two well-appointed examination rooms to allow assessments to be performed safely and in quiet surroundings. There is also a set of stocks, which are often used for standing surgical procedures and routine work.
In addition to our firm trot-up and lunging area, the practice has a 25x60m all-weather manege with (geotextile- Geolastic®) surface. This allows horses to be observed safely on a variety of surfaces, either in-hand, on the lunge or under saddle. This is particularly useful in the evaluation of subtle gait abnormalities, for assessment of the cardio-respiratory system in performance testing and for pre-purchase examinations (vettings).
For bacteriology, parasitology, haematology and biochemistry tests.
The SURGERY ROOM is a large, purpose-built room containing a special operating table, which can be adapted to position of the patient optimally for the surgical procedure underway. Two adjoining padded rooms permit the safe induction and recovery from general anaesthesia.
Theatre is designed for both elective and emergency surgery. Facilities available are intra- operative digital radiography, a full complement of AO equipment for fracture repair and state-of-the-art arthroscopy equipment, making it ideally placed for all orthopaedic surgery. This includes examination and lavage of infected joints and tendon sheaths.
Horses under general anaesthesia receive careful monitoring, which includes continuous measurement of blood pressure, ECG and capnography. Where needed, breathing can be controlled artificially using a mechanical ventilator.Horses under general anaesthesia receive careful monitoring, which includes continuous measurement of blood pressure, ECG and inhaled and exhaled gases. Where needed, breathing can be controlled artificially using a mechanical ventilator.
At the end of surgery, horses are moved to a padded box using an electrical hoist, where monitoring continues throughout the recovery.
Nuclear scintigraphy / ‘Bone Scanning’
Scintigraphy involves injecting the horse with a radioactive marker that is taken up by the bone and highlights areas of abnormal bony activity. This is very useful in evaluating conditions, which are difficult to identify using other imaging techniques. It proves very useful in assessing problems of the neck, back and pelvis, for evaluating multi-limb lameness, for diagnosing stress fractures, and for assessing horses which are difficult to nerve block.
MRIMRI is a useful technique for diagnosing and evaluating soft tissue and bone injuries. The MRI is carried out under general anaesthetic which eliminates any movement in the region being scanned and therefore produces superb image quality. The high quality of the images produced means we can diagnose pathology in structures early on in the course of disease/injury therefore allowing us to tailor more specific treatment and rehabilitation programs, hopefully producing better outcomes for the patient. The scans also help us to know when treatment attempts may be futile, saving time and unnecessary disappointment.
RadiographyRadiography at the hospital is performed using our powerful ceiling-mounted X-ray machine that generates high quality, digital images. Although its main use is for lameness and back pain investigation, it also plays an important role in the evaluation of dental pathology, head and neck problems and thoracic disease. We also have a mobile digital radiography system.
UltrasonographyUltrasound is used widely for orthopaedic problems to evaluate tendon, ligament and joint problems. It is also invaluable when assessing neck, back and sacroiliac problems, and to guide injections at these sites.
Ultrasonography is also used for evaluating the thorax and abdomen, such as assessing colics, liver disease and respiratory problems. It is also used for heart scanning (echocardiography).
VideoendoscopyOur videoendoscope allows direct visualisation of patients’ internal organs such as the upper and lower airway, sinuses, guttural poaches, oesophagus and bladder.
With videoendoscopy, highly detailed images are projected onto a television monitor, which allows clients to see the images themselves and gives improved understanding of the problem and proposed treatment options.
Laparoscopy is an advanced surgical technique which allows certain procedures in the horse to be performed minimally invasively (through small incisions). Many of these procedures can be performed in the standing horse, negating the need for a general anaesthetic.
There is a vast range of surgeries that can be performed laparoscopically including chryptorchidectomy (‘rig’) surgeries and ovariectomy.
Our I+D department now undertakes laparoscopies, in our own minimal invasive operating theatre, on the “Closure of Inguinal Ring Project” with the aim of avoiding scrotal hernias in PRE stallions.
