Elite Equine Veterinarians in Macclesfield, Victoria | Veterinary surgeon

Elite Equine Veterinarians

Locality: Macclesfield, Victoria

Phone: +61 412 619 740

Address: 110 Kennedy Road 3782 Macclesfield, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.eliteequinevets.com.au

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25.01.2022 FOAL FRIDAY This not-so-little Thoroughbred colt was born on Monday in a cosy stable to escape some of this wild weather. His sweet mum is going to have her hands full with this cheeky baby, who we estimated at over 65kg as a newborn!

25.01.2022 WHAT’S YOUR DIAGNOSIS ANSWERS Well done to everyone who correctly guessed we were looking at a choke! The term choke in horses is a bit of a misnomer as it makes people think of choke as we know it in people, i.e food that has gone down the wrong way and is stuck in the trachea (windpipe). In horses, choke is used to describe a blockage in the oesphageous so the horse can still breathe during a choking episode as the airway is not blocked. The symptoms of cho...ke include food and excess salvia coming from the nostrils/mouth, stretching the neck, coughing and some many show colic signs. Many chokes will clear themselves within 30 minutes, although we suggest veterinary intervention if the horse is very distressed or it has been over this time period. As horses cannot vomit, the food must be cleared by passing a stomach tube into the oesphagus and using water to patiently siphon the blockage out, piece by piece! This case was unusual as there was blood mixed into the discharge, so the decision was made to pass an endoscope (camera) to check for any injury to the oesophagus or trachea before passing a tube which could exacerbate any damage. Image A shows the blockage in the oesophagus. Image B is actually of the trachea (note the solid circular cartilage rings holding it open, compared with the soft muscular oesophagus) and shows food that has had actually been inhaled due to how violently he was choking. The last image is the larynx at the back of the throat. The blood was thankfully only coming from the delicate bones in the nose and nothing more serious. A stomach tube was passed and the blockage cleared, but due to the inhaled feed in the trachea he was started on antibiotics as a precaution. Bloodwork later in the week confirmed no pneumonia and he is reportedly back to his usual self! Any questions feel free to ask and we hope this has been useful information for you all!

25.01.2022 LAMINITIS PART 4: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT To finish our laminitis series, let’s talk about diagnosis and treatment. The underlying cause must be addressed, i.e endocrinopathic (EMS or PPID/Cushings) or systemic illness or injury (widespread inflammation or severe opposing limb lameness). If your horse has an acute episode of laminitis and is reluctant to move with bounding digital pulses, this is a medical emergency and your vet needs to provide pain relief, solar suppor...t, nerve blocks +/- sedation to settle the horse. In hospital scenarios, cryotherapy (icing feet) may be needed. Once the horse has been stabilised, further diagnostics and a longer term plan can be formulated, along with all the critical dietary changes described last week. But to really know what is going on in the feet, we do need to radiograph (x ray). Radiographs are the only accurate way to diagnose rotation or sinking of the pedal bone, which happens when the laminae stretch and fail. The degree of rotation affects the treatment plan and we can work closely with your farrier to optimise the route to recovery. Treatment options include remedial farriery, Ultimate boots with wedges or more serious cases may require casts or surgery. Sole depth is also critically important - good sole depth improves comfort and reduces the chance of fatal sinking through the sole. Sole depth can be assessed by radiographs. Improving sole depth and hoof quality is a fundamental part of rehabilitation and we have had fantastic results with Hoof Gold. Hoof Gold is a veterinary formulated high concentration biotin, methionine, MSM and trace elements supplement with clinically proven results. If you are interested in trying Hoof Gold, we have tubs available to pick up from the clinic in Macclesfield and it is extremely cost effective compared to less comprehensive feed store alternatives. We’d love to hear from you if you’ve enjoyed these posts on laminitis and hopefully picked up some tips to manage your horses and ponies this spring

25.01.2022 FOAL FRIDAY 3, 2, 1... and we’re OFF! The foaling season has started! This little cutie was born in our foaling down yards this week and he’s stolen our hearts already

24.01.2022 Another future foal Friday As equine vets, the hours can be long and the work tough, but seeing positive pregnancy scans against the odds is one of the things that keep us going! This is a 60-day positive pregnancy scan in a Warmblood mare. If you turn the sound on, you can hear Dr Steph giving a brief description of what you are looking at. The quality has been lost a little in the upload but let us know if you can see the tiny heart flickering away? You may even see the... little foetus kicking at the end when the horse in the background neighs. These sorts of scans never get boring! At 60 days, it can be possible to determine foetal sex on ultrasound with reasonable accuracy. Based on the examination today, we believe this to be a filly and we can’t wait to meet this her next season!

20.01.2022 LAMINITIS PART 3: EQUINE METABOLIC SYNDROME (EMS) This one is a long one but a good one for anyone concerned about their horse’s weight this spring. EMS is not a disease, but rather a collection of risk factors for endocrinopathic laminitis as stated in PART 1 this week. Insulin resistance is a key feature of EMS. Insulin resistance leads to persistently high levels of insulin in the blood (hyperinsulinaemia) in response to sugar. Hyperinsulinaemia causes lamin...Continue reading

20.01.2022 LAMINITIS AND SPRING GRASS This week on Facebook we are going to do a short series on laminitis. Laminitis is an extremely common - but very painful, serious condition - of horses, ponies and donkeys. Horse owners are often on high alert this time of year because the high sugar content of spring grass is known to increase the risk of laminitis- but how? Over 90% of laminitis cases are caused by an underlying endocrinopathy, which translates to disease of hormone-pro...ducing glands in Latin. The hormone of interest in laminitis is insulin, which is released in response to blood sugar levels to move glucose from the bloodstream to the cells for energy (but also promotes obesity). However, horses with an endocrinopathy (Equine Metabolic Syndrome or Pars Pituitary Intermedia Dysfunction/PPID/Cushing’s), can be insulin resistant, where the body ignores the presence of insulin in the blood. This creates a viscous cycle, where high blood sugar levels triggers more insulin release, but the body ignores it so blood sugar levels remain high. This occurs in people with pre-Diabetes. Now, horses rarely get diabetes but the high levels of insulin in the blood (hyperinsulinaemia) is a direct trigger for laminitis as it weakens the laminae in the hoof. The laminae are like Velcro, attaching the hoof wall to the pedal bone. In laminitis, these tissues stretch and fail, which is extremely painful and can cause detachment and rotation of the pedal bone. So, spring grass causes high blood sugar levels, which drives up insulin levels and causes laminitis in horses that cannot regulate insulin properly. The other 10% of the causes of laminitis include severe systemic infection (such as retained placenta or colitis), grain overload accident and standing limb laminitis, where the horse is very lame on the opposing limb (I.e a healing fracture in a cast) and is putting too much weight through one leg. The next few days we will delve deeper into clinical signs, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, finding your horse’s digital pulse, management and feeding for laminitis and how x rays can help. But please let us know if you have any questions!

18.01.2022 FOAL FRIDAY We have eyelash envy for this gorgeous little filly, who was one of our embryo transfer foals from last year. Dr Ali saw her and her surrogate mum for their day one mare and foal check and got a clean bill of health!

17.01.2022 It was so great to be back out with the horses! Thank you Spring Horse Trials for running a great dressage and hunter trials weekend at Werribee! What a fantast...ic training opportunity after all these months! I was very happy with Annie Wonder in the 1 star, she is a great little mare and will be on the market soon! Stella had a great dressage test and her first taste of xc on Calypso, Paige was out on her new one Talent and Mum rode Caden in the 80 too. Next stop Boneo for some showjumping next weekend. We are all a bit rusty but it is so great to see things starting up again and be able put some plans in place. Photo credit Tazzie Eggins Photography Charlotte Savage Bates Saddles Flexible Fit Equestrian Castlegate James (James and Son Premium Horse Feed) Elite Equine Veterinarians The Saddlery shop Sharnika Design Equus Rugs Natural Mobility See more

17.01.2022 Ross River Virus (RRV) is a mosquito-borne virus that generally affects horses and humans, but can also cause infection in dogs, cats, possums and marsupials. RRV is well established amongst populations of kangaroo and wallabies (who do not show any symptoms) along the Eastern coast, particularly hot, high-rainfall areas like Queensland. Horses are particularly at risk after flooding, as mosquitos love stagnant water. Although RRV is considered rare in Victoria, we have seen... several cases of RRV in horses in the last few months and the increasing prevalence is being monitored. In the acute phase (3-5 days) after infection, a wide range of symptoms is reported, including: Fever Generalised joint pain/stiffness Lower limb swelling or fluid under chest High inflammatory markers (fibrinogen and serum amyloid A) in bloods After this initial infection, there can be variable and lasting effects including: Lethargy and poor performance Anaemia Variable appetite +/- mild colic signs Lack of co-ordination or neurological signs Low grade, non-specific lameness Some horses bounce back very quickly and there is no specific treatment. We use anti-inflammatories in the acute phase and can use supplements to support immune function ongoing. Testing for antibodies (the immune response) in blood confirmed diagnosis of RRV. However, taking two blood samples 2-6 weeks apart will confirm RECENT infection with the virus, as horses can remain antibody-positive for an extended period of time so a one-off test is not always that useful. Rigorous mosquito control is critical for reducing risk of transmission, including insect repellent and properly fitting rugs. Although theoretically possible, horse to horse transmission (via mosquitos) is not considered a significant source of infection and kangaroos/wallabies are still the main reservoir host. Despite the lack of specific treatment, getting a definitive diagnosis can be very useful for managing these horses. If you are concerned about your horse, then please do not hesitate to contact us on 0412619740 See more

15.01.2022 Dr Ali was called to a horse struggling to get up this weekend - it’s always rewarding to work with the local emergency services to achieve a great outcome

14.01.2022 Equestrian restrictions update for our clients! We received this update last night from the Australian Veterinary Association special interest group, Equine Veterinarians Australia. It should help to clarify a few questions, however unfortunately leaves a couple of loose ends and potential grey areas. We are here to help but are unable to provide a blanket letter to authorise you to travel and exercise your horse. This being said, we are all about the welfare of our ...Continue reading

14.01.2022 **Medication alert** Just a reminder to all our wonderful clients - please check your on going medications before the weekend. The Elite Equine premises is closed from Friday evenings at 6.00pm. Our vets are on call - but this is for emergency only, not for on going medication drop off. ... Thank you for your understanding - From the Elite Team See more

13.01.2022 The breeding season is almost upon us! Horses are seasonal long day breeders, meaning that mares will start to cycle in mid- to late-spring due to lengthening daylight hours. However, artificial lights can influence their natural cycling and bring mares into season earlier, therefore allowing more time to conceive a foal. The most simple way to do this is to put stable/barn lights on from approximately 7am to 11pm - most mares will start cycle by early September using th...is method. If this is not possible, using an Equilume mask in the paddock may be a suitable alternative. A pre-breeding examination by a veterinarian is also highly recommended early in the season to allow prompt diagnosis of any abnormalities that may affect fertility. A pre-breeding exam includes an ultrasound per rectum of the ovaries and uterus and manual /speculum assessment of the vagina and cervix. Clitoral/uterine swabs may be taken if required. The vet can also answer any questions about the breeding process and discuss what may be right for you and your particular mare, including embryo transfer. The vets at Elite Equine are passionate and experienced in reproductive medicine and look forward to welcoming more fantastic foals (like this photogenic little guy from last year!) into the world

10.01.2022 FOAL FRIDAY This tiny little filly melted Dr. Ali and Nurse Ivy’s hearts on her day one foal check!

08.01.2022 FOAL FRIDAY The season may not have started yet but this foal has arrived early in the year to cheer us all up during this challenging time. This gorgeous boy was unexpected but certainly a very welcome surprise for his owners! Here is nurse Josie enjoying some socially distanced cuddles during his Day One check.

07.01.2022 LAMINITIS PART 2: DIGITAL PULSES AND OTHER SYMPTOMS We have put together a quick video (with a mildly uncooperative model!) to show you how to check your horse’s digital pulses. This is a really useful skill to have, even if you are lucky enough to have a horse not predisposed to laminitis. Remember laminitis can occur in all 4 feet, but forelimbs are often more severely affected than hind limbs. Acute symptoms:... - Increased or bounding digital pulses - Unwilling to pick up feet - Increased breathing/heart rate - Reluctance to move - Rocking back in a sawhorse stance to take weight off forelimbs - Shifting weight - Lying down more frequently - Warm hooves Chronic symptoms: - Divergent growth or laminitic rings on the hoof wall - The hoof wall has a dish/slipper long toe - If rotation has occurred, a bulge in sole - Poor quality hoof wall and hoof cracks Laminitis is an extremely painful If you notice your horse has any symptoms, please remove any triggers (such as grass for endocrinopathic laminitis - see yesterday’s post) and contact your vet for advice, pain relief and foot support.

07.01.2022 Foster mare required for 2 day old foal..... Biggles is trying his best to help but we now urgently need to find a mum for this poor little boy now that he’s strong enough to stand and suck. Please phone Jacqui on 0429057037 if you can help. Located Mornington Peninsula Victoria

06.01.2022 Welcome to Elites wonderful new vet Ali Cunneen Originally from Brisbane, Queensland, Ali has always had a passion for working with horses. Whilst undertaking her undergraduate veterinary degree at the University of Queensland, she worked for a large mixed animal practice in Brisbane QLD mainly in their equine hospital. During her degree, her passion for equine medicine afforded her multiple research opportunities, one of which resulted in 2018 Equine Veterinarian Australia... Young Members Group Abstract Prize in her final year. She recently completed an equine surgery and anaesthesia internship at Ballarat Veterinary Practice in June 2020. Having adjusted to the colder climate in Victoria, Ali is excited to join the Elite Equine Vets team in July 2020. She enjoys all aspects of equine practice, especially internal medicine and anaesthesia. Outside of work, Ali enjoys trail running and hiking so is very keen to explore the Yarra Valley!

06.01.2022 One of our sponsored riders Jarryd Stanley was back out competing this weekend on his horse Springer! They both had a great weekend placing 1st in the 2* dressage test and 8th in the 95cm hunter trials!! Well done to the both of you and it is great to see you back out competing again! And many of you know Brittany one of our vet nurses here at elite, she was also competing on Jack in their first 1* test together and scored 67%.

04.01.2022 FOAL FRIDAY This handsome Warmblood colt was welcomed into the world this week and we can’t help but think he’s a little early for Mo-vember with those adorable whiskers!

03.01.2022 Happy Birthday to our furry four legged friends - From the Elite Team

01.01.2022 FUTURE FOAL FRIDAY No bad luck here on this Friday 13th with two embryos flushed out of two different stunning Warmblood mares this morning ready to be transferred into recipient mares. Here they are under the microscope! Embryos can be flushed when they are 6-8 days old and transferred to recipient mares so the donor mare does not need to carry her own foal, thus allowing her to continuing competing, have multiple foals per year and/or eliminating the risk associate...d with carrying a pregnancy to term. We’ve had an incredibly successful stud season so far and if you are interested in embryo transfer or any other breeding work, please give us a call on 0412619740 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

01.01.2022 On Sunday we headed off to Spring Horse Trials (Dressage & Hunter Trials) and what a great day we had. We competed in the 2* dressage which Springer came 1st wh...ich is incredible! We also took on the EvA95 Cross country track and finished 8th with a clear round which was awesome! It is just so great to be back out competing! This is the first time we have been out since September last year due to injury. Thank you to Jessica Lauren Hazelwood for coming & helping me all day! Thank you to my sponsors CrossCountry App, Black Horse Clothing and an extra special thank you to Elite Equine Veterinarians who have been managing Springers injury from day one and just so glad to have him back out competing again!