Arthroscopy (often referred to as “scoping a joint”) is a minimally invasive technique that allows direct visualization of a patient’s joint, tendon sheath or bursa. A narrow, rigid endoscope is inserted into the joint or tendon sheath through small incisions. Specially designed instruments are then used to manipulate tissues within the joint or tendon sheath. Advantages of arthroscopy over other techniques include better visualization, easier post-operative care, smaller incisions, and short layup times.
Conditions that can be treated by arthroscopy include but are not limited to:
- Bone chips/fracture
- OCD lesions
- Arthritis
- Subchondral bone cysts
- Tendon injuries
- Septic joints/tendon sheaths/bursas
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery technique that uses a rigid endoscope and specialized instruments to evaluate and treat conditions within the abdomen or thorax (chest). Many procedures that once required large, invasive incisions can now be performed by laparoscopy. Advantages of laparoscopy include smaller incisions, reduced layup time and easier post-operative care. Ovariectomy and cryptorchid castration are two of the laparoscopic procedures performed at Georgia Equine Veterinary Hospital.
Orthopedic surgery involves any procedure dealing with a horse’s skeleton. Examples included removing OCD lesions from the hocks of young horses and performing an arthrodesis (surgical fusing) of the pastern joint in a horse with arthritis.
Orthopedic conditions treated at GEVH include but are not limited to:
- Angular limb deformities
- Bone sequestratum
- Fractures
- OCD lesions
- Osteomyelitis
- Subchondral bone cysts
Upper airway surgery encompasses a variety of conditions which can affect a horse’s upper respiratory tract. This includes the sinuses, pharynx and larynx. Some of these procedures can be performed with the patient standing while others require general anesthesia. Dental procedures often involve airway surgery due to the horse’s teeth being in very close proximity to their sinuses. Thus horses with dental disease often have sinus issues as well.
Upper airway surgery performed at GEVH include but are not limited to:
- Dental disease
- Dorsal displacement of the soft palate
- Laryngeal hemiplegia (roaring)
- Sinusitis
Colic is a general term that refers to abdominal pain. It can have many causes. Most episodes of “colic” in the horse are resolved medically, meaning that pain management, fluid therapy and time resolve the problem. Every patient that presents to our hospital for colic is thoroughly evaluated to determine the best course of treatment for that individual horse. Based on the findings of our examination and the diagnostics performed that may be medical or surgical therapy. Often times the way we treat a particular case may change depending on a variety of factors. Owners can rest assured that critical patients are monitored intensively throughout their stay and that any treatment required can be administered immediately.
Urogenital surgery includes any surgical procedure performed on the urinary or reproductive tract of horses. These procedures range from routine castrations to removal of bladder stones and everything in between. We routinely perform castrations (of stallions with descended and undescended testicles) and ovariectomies in mares. Many of these procedures can be performed standing while other require general anesthesia.
Some of the urogenital conditions treated surgically at GEVH include:
- Routine castration
- Cryporchidism
- Ovarian disease
- Patent urachus in foals
- Umbilical infection
Lacerations are one of the most common equine emergencies. Many lacerations can be repaired at the barn, however, those that are extensive or near synovial structures (joints and tendon sheaths) often require management in a hospital situation. Large wounds may require skin grafts and some wounds located on the distal limb heal best in a cast. Our staff has access to all the resources needed to help your horse heal to the best of its ability.