Equine Services at The Animal Hospital, Murdoch University in Murdoch, Western Australia | Hospital

Equine Services at The Animal Hospital, Murdoch University

Locality: Murdoch, Western Australia

Phone: +61 1300 652 494

Address: Nyarrie Drive 6150 Murdoch, WA, Australia

Website: http://equinecentre.murdoch.edu.au/

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24.01.2022 Some excellent advice from our colleague Dr Tania!

24.01.2022 Emotions are running high today as we farewell our wonderful Equine Nurse Co-ordinator, Ann-Marie (Matron) Moyles. Over the past 5 years whilst in her current position, Ann-Marie has worked tirelessly, always going above and beyond, to ensure our Equine Hospital runs smoothly and efficiently - and it is without a doubt, we will miss her immensely. Our loss is well and truly her next practices gain; and the colleagues and clients that Ann Marie will encounter in her new venture are really very lucky. Moylesy, we will miss you so much, but we are incredibly proud of you and wish you all the very best in your next adventure.

24.01.2022 SPOTLIGHT ON LAMINITIS Laminitis is one of the most painful and debilitating diseases affecting horses, ponies and donkeys and unfortunately is also one of the most difficult and frustrating conditions to treat. The term laminitis means inflammation of the laminae, which are the structures within the foot that secure the pedal bone to the hoof wall. As the disease progresses, the laminae fail resulting in loss of adhesion and subsequent rotation and/or sinking of the ...pedal bone. Laminitis doesn’t just occur, it is a clinical consequence of several different disease processes including: 1 Endocrine disease (Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction) 2 Endotoxaemia (colic, diarrhoea, retained foetal membranes, severe pneumonia) 3 Mechanical overload (supporting limb laminitis) CLINICAL SIGNS of laminitis include: Increased digital pulses Lameness usually (but not always) affecting at least two limbs Increased lameness when walking on hard ground or when turning Shifting weight between feet when at rest Leaning back onto the heels in an attempt to unload the toe region Positive response to the application of hoof testers What to do IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, if you suspect your horse, pony or donkey has laminitis? Contact your veterinarian Remove them from grass pasture Stable them if possible, or confine to a small yard to limit their movement. Ensure the stable or yard is deeply bedded all the way to the door. Deep sand is ideal. Remove all grains and feeds that are high in starch and carbohydrates, and opt for poorer quality hay, fed at 1.5% bodyweight. Regardless of the underlying cause, anti-inflammatory therapy, pain relief, sole support, farriery and dietary modification are the cornerstones of treatment; and for a successful outcome, a good working relationship between owner, veterinarian and farrier is essential.

23.01.2022 From all of us at the Equine Hospital, we wish you a wonderful 2021! Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one. Brad Paisley

23.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM #16 ... Introducing "Crownie", the 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, who has been a valuable member of the teaching herd since 2011. In his day "Sacred Crown" was quite the successful racehorse, however his career was cut short after he developed a septic fetlock joint. Thanks to an intensive effort by our surgery team, "Crownie" made an excellent recovery; following which he made his home at The Animal Hospital a permanent arrangement. This delightful chestnut is definitely a favourite among both staff and students, and can usually be found grazing alongside his partner in crime "Cut The Nonsense".

23.01.2022 URGENT - Foster mare required for this precious bundle!

21.01.2022 Important COVID-19 Client Update: As of 6:00pm Friday 27th March, we will only be able to accept emergency and urgent cases. Urgent and emergency veterinary services are those that if not performed in a timely manner, will result in suffering to the animal either immediately or within the foreseeable future.... Please dont hesitate to contact us (9360 7676 during business hours or 1300 652 494 after-hours) if you have any queries about any booked appointments, OR if you have concerns about an animal in your care. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, however these changes are heavily warranted given the current situation. Please be assured that at this stage, we will continue to provide excellent round-the-clock emergency care for your horses. We will also continue to update you as government directives change. Stay safe and healthy!

21.01.2022 STAR PATIENT Introducing the small but mighty "Twinkle", the now 3-week-old Miniature Pony filly and her dam Snazzy. This delightful pair presented to The Animal Hospital when Twinkle was just 5 days old. Within her first few days of life the filly developed corneal ulcers affecting both eyes; with the left being so severe it had resulted in a globe rupture. The wonderful team at Greener Pastures Sanctuary took on the responsibility of Twinkle’s care, and she ...was promptly brought her to the hospital for treatment. Soon after admission, the filly underwent surgery to remove the non-viable left eye. The right ulcer was initially medically managed, however was minimally responsive to treatment. A conjunctival graft was subsequently performed under general anaesthesia by veterinary ophthalmologist Dr Ziggy Chester. Following this second procedure, little Twinkle hasn’t looked back (literally) and is coping very well with only one eye. The right eye is progressing well, and all being well she will be left with just a small corneal scar to remind her of her eventful start to life! It has been such a pleasure having both girls in hospital, and it has been fantastic watching Twinkle’s (very) cheeky personality develop during her stay. We will definitely miss them both however we wish them all the best in their new home!

19.01.2022 One of the most common non-GI consequences of oesophageal obstruction ("choke") is ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA - a bacterial infection of the lungs that occurs as a result of the inhalation of feed particles, saliva and other oral contaminants. Which is why it is important to evaluate the trachea for evidence of feed material or saliva following resolution of the "choke" episode. If left untreated this condition can progress, causing significant respiratory distress and ultimately r...espiratory failure. Aspiration pneumonia can be diagnosed using a combination of imaging modalities, including ultrasonography and radiography (x-rays); and due to the increased weight of the abnormally inspired particles, the ventral lung fields tend to be worst affected. In the majority of cases, a sample of tracheal fluid will also be obtained for evaluation under the microscope (cytology) and identification of the bacteria involved, allowing for more specific and targeted treatment. Along with medical therapy, management strategies such as feeding affected horses from the ground to facilitate drainage of respiratory secretions and providing a sufficient period of rest to allow the lungs to heal are important. Overall, if dealt with quickly, the prognosis of post-choke aspiration pneumonia is generally good.

19.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM #14 ... Introducing "Keith", the 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, and only grey in the teaching herd. "Keith" was destined for a career as a racehorse, and although he tried his best to keep up with the rest of the field, his congenital heart abnormality prohibited him from performing to expectation. "Keith" has a condition known as a ventricular septal defect (aka hole in his heart), just like his colleagues "Nelson", "Kiwi" and "Walter". As one of the youngest in the herd, "Keith" is certainly a character, and can often be seen trying to assert his authority on the other members of the herd, with varying success. He absolutely loves posing for photos and enjoys doing any activity that involves carrots and pampering.

19.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM #15 ... Introducing "Kiwi", the 17-year-old Standardbred gelding, appropriately named given his New Zealand origin! "Kiwi" plays an incredibly important role as part of the Equine team, as he is one of two current blood donors - hence he wears a red name tag so he can be quickly identified in an emergency. Not only does he provide life-saving blood to those who need it, "Kiwi" also has atrial fibrillation (an irregularly irregular heart rhthym) and a ventricular septal defect, therefore providing valuable learning opportunities for our veterinary students. Perhaps the most interesting fact about "Kiwi" - he is able to recognise different coloured overalls (blue of the staff versus green of the students), and behaves himself (or rather misbehaves) accordingly!

18.01.2022 LOOK AT HER NOW!!! Introducing "Flo" (now officially named Treacherous Tiger - for reasons that will become apparent ), who presented to The Animal Hospital At Murdoch University ten months ago, following an altercation with a tiger snake! On arrival, "Flo" appeared highly anxious and was sweating. She had a very high heart rate, fully dilated and non-responsive pupils, muscle fasciculations and a very stiff gait. Soon after presentation, she became recumbent and m...inimally responsive. Aggressive medical therapy was immediately initiated, and over the next 4 hours the filly received a total of 3 doses of combined brown snake/tiger snake anti-venom. Approximately 5 hours after the third dose, "Flo" was finally able to stand on her own and within 72 hours she was considered clinically normal. The filly was discharged back into the care of her owner/trainer, Dr Jemma Hayman, where she was given plenty of TLC and a prolonged spell. Well, look at her now! This tough little filly has made quite the comeback, and will be targeting the Group 1 WA 2yo Fillies Sales Classic this evening at Gloucester Park. We wish her all the best for tonight, and her future racing career! Treacherous Tiger for the win! Racing Photo Credit: Scott Hamilton #tigersnake #snakebite #equinemedicine #snakebitesurvivor #equinevets #standardbredsofinstagram #racehorse #goodluck

17.01.2022 In celebration of International Women's Day, we would like to acknowledge all of our female colleagues and team mates - but especially our amazing team of strong and motivated women. Between them, this incredible group of highly skilled women have a long list of achievements, but most importantly they are always striving for excellence and constantly build each other up. #IWD2021 #girlpower #ChooseToChallenge #friendship #teamwork

17.01.2022 2020! The year that was ... shall we say, different. But what a year it was! Although the past 12 months were full of challenges (from teaching clinical rotations online, having no students or clients in the hospital and working with skeleton staff), there was also plenty of fun and laughter. We had a number of heartbreaking cases which will never be forgotten, but many more that brought us so much joy! We lost some precious staff members (Matron Moyles and Dr Jemma - who ha...ve both gone on to pursue their passions; Dr Josie - who is currently on maternity leave; and our teaching horse "Gruffy"), but gained some fabulous team mates in their place (Dr Sarah, Dr Jon, nurse Gemma and teaching horse "Sharleen"). Other highlights for 2020 include our surgical resident Dr Michaela passing her first set of ACVS examinations, bringing her one step closer to specialisation; Liz donning the green overalls and returning to her nursing roots during the peak of COVID-19 restrictions; a brand new outdoor client seating area developed by the one and only Randall; and the installation of some very stylish electric gates! We are incredibly blessed to have such an amazing and close-knit equine team, and we cannot wait to see what 2021 brings us!

17.01.2022 From all of us at The Animal Hospital - Equine Services (including our special little patients "Katherine" and "Silver"), we wish you a very Merry Christmas! May your holiday season be filled with time spent with family and friends, and of course - plenty of horse and pony fun!

16.01.2022 From all of us here at The Animal Hospital (including special guests "Lucy", "Loppy" and "Magic"), we wish you a very Happy Easter! Enjoy the long weekend with those closest to you (#socialdistancing) and of course, those of the four-legged variety. Stay home, stay safe and be sure to feast on plenty of Easter Eggs and hot cross buns! As always, we are available 24/7 for any equine emergencies over the long weekend!

15.01.2022 The Animal Hospital has received a high number of questions from concerned clients and members of the public, surrounding COVID-19 and if there is any risk of their pet or animals becoming infected. Here are some useful links that we would like to share with you in regards to those questions you may be having. https://bit.ly/3b6cfnK... https://www.ava.com.au//information-sheet---covid-19-and-c

15.01.2022 Afternoon teatime! . . . #teachinghorses #horseherd #happyhorses #theanimalhospitalmurdoch #murdochuniversity

14.01.2022 Last week we had a young Thoroughbred that was referred for surgical management of a medial malleolus fracture of the hock. Arthroscopy was performed under general anaesthesia to remove the large fracture fragment, as well as to evaluate the overall health of the joint. To guide fragment removal and ensure all fragments had been successfully removed, intra-operative fluoroscopy was utilised. During orthopaedic surgical procedures especially, fluoroscopy has a number benefits... over the more conventional x-ray units used in equine practice. This imaging modality can display continuous high-resolution x-ray images (think of it like an x-ray movie), which allows the surgeons to monitor progress and make adjustments in real-time. Also, as both the x-ray source and x-ray detector are mounted on a mobile C-Arm, this means that images can be acquired from almost any angle which certainly comes in very useful during equine surgery. See more

14.01.2022 COMPLICATIONS OF CASTRATION Castration ("gelding") is often considered to be a routine procedure - however, there are a number of complications that may occur either during or following the surgery. Although most complications encountered are relatively mild, some can be life threatening. Due to some slight anatomical differences, certain breeds such as Standardbreds and Draft Horses, are considered to be at a higher risk of complications such as eventration and haemorrha...ge. Similarly, mature stallions and donkeys are also at an increased risk of haemorrhage. In these cases, alternative surgical approaches may be indicated, and would typically be performed in a controlled hospital setting. Although routine castration is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in equine practice, it still has a reported complication rate up to 30%. Therefore it is important to be both aware of AND prepared for the following complications: 1 Excessive scrotal swelling 2 Bleeding (haemorrhage) 3 Omental herniation 4 Eventration or evisceration (when a portion of intestine prolapses out of the scrotal incision) 5 Penile trauma 6 Bacterial infection of the spermatic cord ("scirrhous cord") 7 Incisional infection 8 Hydrocoele 9 Peritonitis Continued stallion-like behaviour If you have any questions or concerns about castrating your colt or stallion, be sure to chat to your veterinarian!

14.01.2022 SPOTLIGHT ON CORNEAL ULCERS Unfortunately, eye ulcers are relatively common in horses, most likely due to: a) their large globe size (horses have the largest eyes of all land mammals); and b) the position of the eyes within the skull - both of which make them more prone to trauma.... The surface of the eye is made up of the tear film, conjunctiva, limbus and cornea; with the cornea and tear film forming the barrier between the vital structures inside the eye and the external environment. The cornea is made up of three layers: the superficial epithelium, central stroma and deep endothelium. The severity of ulceration is largely dependent on how many of these layers are involved. In the case of a superficial corneal ulcer, only the thin outer epithelial layer is involved; whereas deeper ulcers will also involve the central stroma. If left untreated, a superficial ulcer can become infected with bacterial or fungal pathogens and rapidly progress to involve the deeper layers. Signs of eye pain in the horse are numerous, and include: 1 Excessive blinking or squinting (blepharospasm) 2 Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) 3 Drooping of the eyelashes (ptosis) 4 Increased tearing (epiphora) 5 Swelling of the conjunctiva (chemosis) 6 Ocular discharge mucoid, mucopurulent 7 Head shyness 8 Pupil constriction (miosis) If your horse displays any of these clinical signs, veterinary attention should be sought immediately - DO NOT wait to see how it goes. Damage to the cornea can progress very rapidly (within hours), and if not managed appropriately and in a timely fashion, can result in loss of vision or even loss of the eye.

14.01.2022 ATTENTION PHONE PROBLEMS Unfortunately The Animal Hospital are experiencing problems with our phone lines! For any equine emergencies please contact us using the numbers below... 0427 444 963 OR 0404 611 602 We apologise for any inconvenience and will provide an update when the problem is resolved. Thanks from the Equine Team at Murdoch

14.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW performance and rideability issues in horses are much more likely to be caused by PAIN than a true behavioural problem. There is a significant number of painful clinical conditions that can result in unwanted behaviour under saddle, which we can divide into three main categories: 1 Musculoskeletal... 2 Oral / Dental 3 Visceral (most commonly gastrointestinal or urogenital) The most common cause of poor performance is musculoskeletal disease which typically presents itself as lameness or pain coming from the vertebral column. Therefore, when faced with a horse or pony with rideability issues, the first port of call should be your veterinarian; where they will perform a thorough physical examination and gait evaluation to decide whether musculoskeletal pain is a contributing factor. Because of the horse’s prey animal instinct, oral and dental pain is frequently underdiagnosed, despite being an important cause of impaired performance. It is therefore imperative that all ridden horses are seen at least once a year, by a qualified equine dentist. If musculoskeletal disease has been ruled out, a thorough dental examination is warranted. Contrary to popular belief, gastric ulceration is not the only disease of the gastrointestinal tract that can result in issues with rideability and performance. The presence of sand within the large intestine (sand enteropathy), parasite infections, adhesions, inflammatory disorders and intestinal hypermotility can all result in pain that manifests as poor performance. It is also possible that pain can arise from the other abdominal organs, including the liver, kidneys, pancreas, bladder and ovaries, and result in negative changes in performance. Although frustrating, it is important to remember that in the majority of cases there is a reason for the behaviour, and that reason is likely to be associated with pain. From a welfare perspective, it is crucial these signs are not ignored, and consultation with your veterinarian is warranted to get to the root of the problem.

12.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM #13 ... Introducing "Gruffy", the other elderly gentleman of the herd. "Gruffy" is a 27-year-old Standardbred gelding that was retired to our cardiac teaching herd in 2016. Prior to joining The Animal Hospital team, "Gruffy" was kept very busy, initially as an endurance horse, and then as a babysitter for Equine Nurse Mikaelas young horses. Due to his advanced age, it is not surprising "Gruffy" developed a cardiac murmur associated with aortic regurgitation; and he loves to help teach our students how to detect and describe heart murmurs.

12.01.2022 From "Keith", "Cutty" and everyone here at The Animal Hospital, we would like to wish all the (southern hemisphere) horses and ponies a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! May their days be filled with lots of TLC and carrot cake!

12.01.2022 SPOTLIGHT ON COLIC SURGERY PART 1 Should you do it? Would you do it? How do you decide? I think we can all agree that colic is something most horse owners fear. Which is why it is important to have a good understanding of what colic actually is, how it can progress, and what options are available for treatment and management. Although the majority of colics can be managed with medical therapy alone, up to 10% of colic cases will require surgical intervention so it is ...worthwhile to think about whether you would consider colic surgery before the time comes (and hopefully it never does). Colic simply means abdominal pain, and there are over 30 different causes described in horses. This means that not all colics are the same and therefore will not require the same treatment. Broadly speaking, we tend to separate colic cases into two categories: NON-STRANGULATING and STRANGULATING. Typically non-strangulating colics are a result of either a physical or mechanical obstruction and can be acute or chronic in onset, will have variable degrees of pain, and may or may not require surgery. These types of colics include impactions, displacements, sand enteropathy, ileus, and enteritis (to name just a few). Strangulating colics are also obstructive in nature, but result in a significant reduction or complete disruption of the intestinal blood supply (hence the term strangulating). Some examples of a strangulating obstruction include strangulating lipoma, colon volvulus, epiploic foramen entrapment, caecal torsion, and inguinal/scrotal herniation and incarceration. These types of colic tend to develop very suddenly, deteriorate rapidly, are associated with moderate to severe pain, and always require surgical intervention. Over the next few posts, we will be shining a spotlight on colic surgery how we decide if surgery is required, what the procedure actually entails, the post-operative period, and prognosis. So stay tuned! #colicsurgery #colicsurgerysurvivor #equinesurgery #acvs #equinemedicine #teamwork #education #decisionmaking #lovehorses #theanimalhospitalmurdoch #goldstandard

12.01.2022 COMPLICATIONS OF CHOKE There are several potential and detrimental consequences that can occur following an episode of choke, which will result in an increased likelihood of RECURRENCE of oesophageal obstruction. These include:... 1 Oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus) resulting in discomfort when swallowing 2 Mucosal injury caused by physical irritation of the impacted feed material 3 Oesophageal dilation in front of the site of obstruction 4 Stricture formation resulting in a marked reduction in luminal diameter 5 Megaoesophagus (condition in which the oesophagus becomes weak and dilated) Given the possible consequences, an endoscopic examination of the length of the oesophagus is always warranted. If there is evidence of oesophageal dilation or mucosal injury, repeat examination should be performed every 2-4 weeks to ensure adequate healing without secondary complications. The recurrence rate of oesophageal obstruction is reported as being as high as 37%, with the risk of re-obstruction being highest in the first 24-48 following an episode. Therefore, it is recommended that feed is with-held for the initial 24-hour period following resolution.

12.01.2022 A huge thank you to the very thoughtful Dr Sundra of Avon Ridge Equine Veterinary Services, for the amazing gift she sent us! Looking after the horses, ponies and donkeys of WA is such a team effort, and we love that we get to work so closely with our equine veterinary colleagues from around the state!

11.01.2022 Look who we encountered when examining the first part of the small intestine (proximal duodenum) during gastroscopy! Post in the comments below if you know what this cheeky passenger is!

11.01.2022 Important COVID-19 Client Update: To ensure we can continue to provide essential veterinary services, we are having to continue to adapt our procedures for the safety of all. As of Wednesday 25th March 2020, the following changes will be implemented: 1 When you call to make an appointment, our friendly reception staff will discuss the urgency of your horses condition and veterinary needs. If the case is determined non-urgent, your appointment may need to be postponed. ... 2Prior to your scheduled appointment, additional information pertaining to the case will be obtained over the phone, to minimise person-to-person contact on arrival. Alternatively, please feel free to email any history or case information to [email protected]. 3Verbal consent will be obtained rather than written consent; and we will follow up by emailing you copies of the relevant paper work. 4During business hours (8am 4pm, Monday Friday), please call reception on 9360 7676 on your arrival at the hospital. A staff member will then meet you in the car park to take your horse into the barn. You will be required to stay in the car or car park for the duration of the consultation. Alternatively, you can drop your horse off prior to their appointment time (please still call on arrival), and we will contact you once your horse is ready to go home. Please be assured, we will remain in contact with you and update you with regards to the findings and outcome of the consultation. 5For hospital admissions outside office hours, or for after- hours emergencies, please call ahead on 1300 652 494 and follow the prompts. When you arrive at the hospital, please remain in the carpark until a staff member has advised you how to proceed. 6Our in-hours ambulatory service will continue for urgent cases. 7As many communications as possible between you and our veterinary team will be done over the phone. 8Visiting in-patients remains suspended. We understand this is difficult, but hope the reasoning for this decision is understandable. We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of your horse, and are more than happy to send you photos as part of our daily communications. We know your horse is very important to you, and our team will endeavor to look after both you and your horse to the best of our ability. As always, our priority is to provide exceptional veterinary care for your horses, and clearly communicating with you and your family. We thank you for your ongoing support during this unprecedented time.

11.01.2022 SPOTLIGHT ON COLIC SURGERY PART ONE Should you do it? Would you do it? How do you decide? I think we can all agree that colic is something most horse owners fear. Which is why it is important to have a good understanding of what colic actually is, how it can progress, and what options are available for treatment and management. Although the majority of colics can be managed with medical therapy alone, up to 10% of colic cases will require surgical intervention so it... is worthwhile to think about whether you would consider colic surgery before the time comes (and hopefully it never does). Colic simply means abdominal pain, and there are over 30 different causes described in horses. This means that not all colics are the same and therefore will not require the same treatment. Broadly speaking, we tend to separate colic cases into two categories: NON-STRANGULATING and STRANGULATING. Typically non-strangulating colics are a result of either a physical or mechanical obstruction and can be acute or chronic in onset, will have variable degrees of pain, and may or may not require surgery. These types of colics include impactions, displacements, sand enteropathy, ileus, and enteritis (to name just a few). Strangulating colics are also obstructive in nature, but result in a significant reduction or complete disruption of the intestinal blood supply (hence the term strangulating). Some examples of a strangulating obstruction include strangulating lipoma, colon volvulus, epiploic foramen entrapment, caecal torsion, and inguinal/scrotal herniation and incarceration. These types of colic tend to develop very suddenly, deteriorate rapidly, are associated with moderate to severe pain, and always require surgical intervention. Over the next few posts, we will be shining a spotlight on colic surgery how we decide if surgery is required, what the procedure actually entails, the post-operative period, and prognosis. So stay tuned! #colicsurgery #equinecolic #colicsurgerysurvivor #equinesurgery #acvs #equinespecialists #equinemedicine #teamwork #goldstandard #theanimalhospitalmurdoch #ownereducation #knowledgeispower #lovehorses

10.01.2022 An after-hours emergency is every horse owner’s worst nightmare, however knowing you have a highly qualified and experienced team at your disposal and an action plan in place, can dramatically reduce those fears and concerns. We are extremely fortunate to have a terrific TRIO of veterinarians available after-hours (including weekends), which includes one primary clinician, one board-certified surgeon and one board-certified internist. We accept all cases including first-opini...on, and a referral to our hospital is not required. Due to our hospital and in-patient commitments, we are currently unable to offer an ambulatory service after-hours, so you WILL be required to transport your horse to us. In the majority of cases (and depending on the emergency), we will admit your horse or pony for treatment and observation. Not only does this take the stress off you (and hopefully affords you a better night’s sleep), it also means that if further or more drastic interventions are required, they can be implemented immediately and without delay. How to get in touch with us after-hours: 1 Call 1300 652 494 2 Select 2 when instructed (this will put you through to the Equine paging service) 3 Leave a message with the paging service. This message will be sent to our primary vet on call, who will then return your call. We take great pride in the level of hospital care and quality of veterinary service provided to our equine patients and clients; and although we hope you don’t need us, just know we are always here in case you do!

10.01.2022 As we all start to slowly return to a more normal way of life in Western Australia, we just wanted to remind you that we are still here for all of your horses veterinary needs. If you need us, please call us on 9360 7676 during business hours or 1300 652 494 after-hours As always, our priority remains to provide exceptional veterinary care for your horses, as well as the health of our staff, students, clients and the community.... We thank you for your ongoing support.

10.01.2022 ATTENTION PHONE PROBLEMS This morning we are experiencing problems with our phone lines at The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University. For any equine related queries or consults please call Liz (see below )... 9360 6137 9360 7676 email: [email protected]. We will provide an update when the problem is resolved. Thanks from the Equine Team at Murdoch

10.01.2022 Magic would like to let everyone know our phone system is finally working again! For any equine emergencies, please call 1300 652 494.

09.01.2022 LOOK AT HIM NOW! Remember "Kole" - the tiny Friesian foal that first presented to us at only 2 days of age, with a meconium impaction and pharyngeal dysfunction. Unfortunately, his impaired swallowing ability meant he was unable to nurse from his dam without aspirating milk into his lungs, and so had to be fed hourly via a feeding tube until he was strong enough to drink out of a bucket by himself. Well, just look at him now! This not so little champ certainly did not let his rocky start to life stand in his way - as he presented to us last week for a closed inguinal castration, weighing in at an impressive 265kg (thats 230kg more than when he first presented to us) . Thanks to the dedication of his family, "Kole" has truly grown into a gorgeous young man, and we were all thrilled to see him!

08.01.2022 An after-hours emergency is every horse owners worst nightmare, however knowing you have a highly qualified and experienced team at your disposal and an action plan in place, can dramatically reduce those fears and concerns. We are extremely fortunate to have a terrific TRIO of veterinarians available after-hours (including weekends), which includes one primary clinician, one board-certified surgeon and one board-certified internist. We accept all cases including first-opin...ion, and a referral to our hospital is not required. Due to our hospital and in-patient commitments, we are currently unable to offer an ambulatory service after-hours, so you WILL be required to transport your horse to us. In the majority of cases (and depending on the emergency), we will admit your horse or pony for treatment and observation. Not only does this take the stress off you (and hopefully affords you a better nights sleep), it also means that if further or more drastic interventions are required, they can be implemented immediately and without delay. How to get in touch with us after-hours: 1 Call 1300 652 494 2 Select 2 when instructed (this will put you through to the Equine paging service) 3 Leave a message with the paging service. This message will be sent to our primary vet on call, who will then return your call. We take great pride in the level of hospital care and quality of veterinary service provided to our equine patients and clients; and although we hope you dont need us, just know we are always here in case you do!

08.01.2022 FOR THE ATTENTION OF OUR CLIENTS COVID-19 Precautionary Measures Our team is focused on continuing to provide veterinary specialist care to our clients and their animals. To help us continue servicing the community and reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure, the following processes are effective as at 8am, Tuesday 17th March:... 1 Please advise staff immediately if you have travelled overseas in the last 14 days or have met someone who may have the virus before you arrive at the hospital. 2 Owners visiting hospitalised animals will be suspended for the immediate future 3 Discharges will be mainly conducted over the phone so there is social distancing to protect staff and clients. 4 To limit person to person contact we have instituted a no handshake policy and we encourage you to keep at least 1.5 metres away from each other hand sanitiser is available in all reception areas 5 Only one person per consultation will be permitted to enter any area of the hospital, including equine, production animal and all small animal areas for the immediate future 6 If our team are visiting your property we ask that only those people needed to restrain your animal are present ; 1-2 people maximum 7 We encourage contactless payment wherever possible and do not be alarmed if staff are wearing gloves to process your payment. Thank you for your support. Animal Hospital Management

06.01.2022 What a little superstar! Equine dentistry assistant Floss of W.A Veterinary Equine Dentistry Pty Ltd proudly did her part for the canine community by donating blood today at The Animal Hospital! Our community blood bank is always on the lookout for new blood donors so if you have a healthy dog aged between 1 and 8 years, weighing 20kg or more, with a calm personality, please get in touch! community blood [email protected]

06.01.2022 From all of us here at The Animal Hospital, we hope you are staying safe and settling into the new normal. We also want to let you know, that even in this time of uncertainty, we continue to offer round-the-clock specialist care for your horses. Whilst ensuring your safety and the safety of our staff, we are still providing daily first opinion and referral consults for your horses urgent needs either in-hospital or on-farm; along with advice calls and emails. ... Our equine hospital is staffed by multiple Registered Specialists in Equine Surgery and Medicine; and although we have altered our staffing structure in accordance with the current social distancing guidelines, we can assure you there will be always be a Board-certified surgeon AND internist available. We know this is an incredibly challenging time, so if you do have concerns regarding your horses health or wellbeing, please feel free to contact us for advice or assistance.

06.01.2022 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Our Equine Hospital will be CLOSED from 4pm today (Christmas Eve, 24/12/2020) until 8am Monday 4th January 2021. To all of our valued clients and colleagues, we thank you for your ongoing support during what has been a truly tumultuous year! Enjoy the festive season with your equine family and we look forward to (hopefully) a wonderful 2021!

04.01.2022 #mondaymotivation #goals #happymonday #equinevets #equestrianlife #dreambig #theanimalhospitalmurdoch #murdochuniversity

04.01.2022 Introducing Dr Michaela (Kay) Harcourt, ACVS Resident in Equine Surgery. Michaela is originally a Sydney-sider and graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2016. Following graduation, she completed a 12-month rotating internship at the well-known Agnes Banks Equine Clinic. After this she spent 12-months working at Wollondilly Equine, a predominantly ambulatory equine practice just outside of Sydney. Whilst at this job, Michaela adopted a delightful little helper named Winx..., who assisted with all ambulatory calls as well as doing her best to ensure the work car was out of action as frequently as possible (destroying 3 seatbelts is among her greatest achievements). Michaela joined the Equine Team in July 2018, where she began her official 3-year specialty training program in Equine Surgery. Winx also accepted a part-time office job, as Rubbish Bin Security. Over the past two and a half years, Kay has accomplished a lot; including successfully passing her ACVS Phase 1 examination and attaining a Masters degree in Veterinary Clinical Studies (to name just a few). Michaela is especially passionate about gastrointestinal (colic) and wound repair surgery, and takes great pride in providing the best patient care possible. When not at the hospital (which, as a 3rd year resident, is not that often), you will find Michaela swimming long-distances in the pool or ocean (like our other three surgeons), or enjoying the outdoors with her little sidekick Winx. #surgeonintraining #acvs #equinesurgeon #equinesurgery #surgeryresident #dedication #followyourdreams

04.01.2022 Introducing Dr Rachael Smith, Registered Specialist in Equine Surgery and Head of Equine Services. Rachael is originally from New Zealand sheep farming country and graduated from Massey University in 1998. Following graduation she spent three years in large animal practice in NZ, and during this time achieved a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Science. Following this, Rachael worked for a year in equine practice in the UK before completing a Residency in Equine S...urgery at Murdoch University. During her residency, Rachael became a member of the ANZCVS in both Equine Medicine (2003) and Surgery (2004); and on completion sat her Board Exams to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in Large Animal Surgery (2007). In 2017 Rachael undertook post-graduate training in veterinary chiropractic and is a certified member of the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA). Dr Smith is incredibly passionate about equine lameness and biomechanics of the sport horse especially, and is in her element whenever she is in surgical scrubs! Outside of work, Rachael spends as much time as possible in the sunshine and has substituted riding horses and farm life in NZ, for running, swimming or cycling in Perth and is a keen competitor in running and multisport events.

04.01.2022 TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS - PART 2 INJECTABLE THERAPIES are also frequently used to manage osteoarthritis in horses, whereby medications are injected directly into the affected joint (intra-articular) or administered into the muscle or vein (systemically). These types of therapies tend to be more expensive and require veterinary consultation, however compared to oral supplements, there is more robust evidence to support their use. Commonly used injectable treatments inc...Continue reading

03.01.2022 Its our lucky day! A very sweet gift from some lovely clients And we can definitely confirm #bundaleerhoneywa tastes amazing!

03.01.2022 We are excited to introduce the newest member of our Equine team - Dr Jonathan Olijnyk! Jon is originally from the UK and graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2015. After 12 months working in Sheffield (UK), he moved to Australia where he initially worked in equine practice in Queensland. Having spent a year in sunny QLD, Jon undertook an equine internship with the Victorian Equine Group. On completion, he stayed on as an associate veterinarian before relocating to Perth (just in time) to take up position as Registrar in Equine Practice. Jonathan has experience in all areas of equine practice including general ambulatory and hospital work, stud work, race-track medicine, anaesthesia and lameness, and is particularly interested in equine diagnostic imaging.

03.01.2022 Introducing Dr David Murphy, Registered Specialist in Equine Surgery and Associate Professor in Equine Surgery. David originally hails from New South Wales and graduated from The University of Sydney in 1986! Following graduation, he made the big move to the USA, where he undertook a surgical residency at Cornell University. On completion of his surgical training, David was awarded a Masters degree and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Over th...e following 5 years, he spent time at Texas A&M University and the University of Florida before returning to Australia, joining the team at Murdoch in 2002. David has a particular passion for racehorses and orthopaedic surgery; and loves nothing more than a fracture repair (be it horse, goat, calf, or alpaca). When not in surgical scrubs, you will likely find David somewhere close to the water be it playing water polo or dodging great whites on a surfboard!

03.01.2022 Exciting update! We are now accepting applications for our next RESIDENCY IN EQUINE SURGERY, to begin in July 2021. If you have a keen interest in Equine Surgery and would like to pursue specialist certification, then we would love to hear from you! The 3-year program is supervised by multiple board-certified academic staff, with plenty of peer support; and successful completion will allow the successful candidate to fulfill the credentials required for specialty certif...ication. https://www.murdoch.edu.au//sc/residency-in-equine-surgery Please feel free to share this fabulous opportunity (that only comes round once every 3 years), with anyone you think might be suitable! #equinesurgeon #equinesurgery #advancedtraining #residentlife #goldstandard #ACVS

02.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW that when a horse turns its head to the left, they predominantly ventilate their right lung! And when they turn their head to the right, they ventilate more of their left lung! Our equine and anaesthesia team are currently researching the use of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to evaluate the flow of air (ventilation) through the lungs of horses of different ages, and under differing physiologic conditions. It is hoped that this minimally invasive diagnostic modality will provide valuable REAL-TIME information about the ventilatory capacity of horses affected by lung and heart diseases, as well as demonstrate improvement following the treatment of such conditions. Watch this space!

02.01.2022 Our lovely clients came well prepared for their horses appointment at The Animal Hospital. Having provided the history over the phone, they enjoyed a relaxing "carpark picnic" whilst our equine team performed a thorough diagnostic work up on their beloved "Prince"

02.01.2022 SPOTLIGHT ON CHOKE Choke is the term used to describe an obstruction of the OESOPHAGUS, not the trachea as the name suggests. In most cases, the oesophageal obstruction will be primary in origin, meaning the obstruction is associated with impacted feed material. This usually occurs as a result of the horse or pony ingesting their feed too quickly or not chewing their food appropriately. Dehydration can also be a predisposing factor. Oesophageal obstructions may also... develop secondary to existing disorders that: A) Result in a reduction in luminal diameter; B) Affect the motility of the oesophagus; or C) Alter the anatomy of the oesophagus. How do you know that your horse or pony has choke? 1 Affected horses and ponies will stop eating and will usually appear quite anxious 2 They will often stand with head and neck stretched out 3 They will frequently cough and gag/retch 4 Frothy saliva, water and feed material will be observed from both nostrils If any of these signs are noticed, veterinary attention should be sought immediately, and all feed and water should be removed. The diagnosis of oesophageal obstruction is typically made based on the presenting signs and the inability to pass a nasogastric tube all the way to the stomach. Endoscopic examination can then be performed to confirm the precise location of the obstruction, as well as provide information about the nature of the impaction. In many cases, simple oesophageal obstructions will clear with minimal intervention; however some can require more intensive medical therapy. The main goal of treatment is to relieve the obstruction, which can often be achieved through the use of appropriate sedation, pain relief and muscle relaxants to help eliminate oesophageal spasm. Occasionally gentle oesophageal lavage is warranted to soften and break up the impaction, however this requires good sedation and a lowered head position to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Intravenous fluid therapy may also be necessary in more long-standing cases, to rehydrate, correct electrolyte imbalances and maintain hydration status. There are a number of problems that can develop following an episode of "choke" therefore it is important to deal with these cases promptly. If you have any concerns about your horse or pony, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

01.01.2022 Introducing Mikaela Deetman, Registered Veterinary Nurse and Equine Nursing Coordinator. Mikaela graduated in 2013 after completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at Applied Vocational Training. Following graduation, Mikaela spent some time working at her family practice south of Perth, before joining the team at Murdoch in 2014. Mikaela has a particular passion for emergency medicine and surgical nursing, and is in her element whenever she is assisting our veterinarians with critically ill or emergent patients. Not only is she a highly skilled nurse, she is also a keen eventer; and when not at work (and without a broken foot), she can be found helping to run the family agistment centre and preparing her horses for competition.