HorsemedSA Hills Equine Veterinary Clinic in Echunga, South Australia | Pet service

HorsemedSA Hills Equine Veterinary Clinic

Locality: Echunga, South Australia

Phone: +61 8 8391 9400

Address: 43 Old Mount Barker Road 5153 Echunga, SA, Australia

Website: http://www.horsemedsa.com/

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• Veterinary surgeon

24.01.2022 It was a busy weekend again for our vets! As well as our vet on call we were also pleased to sponsor Monarto Horse Trials-EA and provide a vet for their event. Dr Ruth Taylor attended all weekend and was pleased to catch up with so many clients and horses. She even found time to ride her pony Henry in the EvA80! HorsemedSA has a long history of supporting equine competition in South Australia and our vets are experienced at providing veterinary cover in these settings. That... experience is invaluable in the sometimes high pressure competition environment. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #eventing #eventingsa #monartohorsetrials #horsetrials

24.01.2022 Don’t forget - today is the LAST DAY to enter our horse’s birthday giveaway! We’re giving away 2 x FREE gastroscopes ... 4 x FREE faecal worm egg counts AND 2 x mini first aid kits Just remember to like our socials (Facebook and Instagram) and like this post so we can do a random draw of all the entrants! The boring stuff.... gastroscopes are only offered in clinic. Overnight stabling costs are not included. Faecal worm egg count samples must be dropped off or posted to our clinic in Echunga. First aid kits can be posted within Australia only. Competition closes on the 14th of August. Don’t forget to share this post if you have horsey friends who would like to enter too! We will put the names of all the likers, sharers and commenters into a random draw app and announce the winners on Facebook! Good luck to all! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #giveaway #horsesbirthday

23.01.2022 PAIN - no one wants to think of their horse in pain, but do you know the subtle signs that your horse might be in discomfort? Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage Acute pain is associated with tissue trauma and can have many causes. Chronic pain can be considered as a disease itself and results in changes to the entire nervous system causing increased pain transmission and re...duced pain threshold in the body. Horses in pain are stressed and often hyper-reactive and sensitive. But how can we tell if our horses are in pain if they can’t talk?? One useful tool is the recently developed pain ethogram. Whilst developed for use in spotting lameness under saddle, it can also be very useful in assessing pain levels in many situational Some of the symptoms of pain include the pain face Lowered base of the ears Contraction of the upper eyelid muscles Dilation of the nostrils sideways Lips pressed together with flat chin Tense facial muscles Many people think the only option for pain relief for their horses is bute or phenylbutazone. Whilst an incredibly useful drug, bute has some side effects and this often puts horse owners off using it long term. Now we have so many pain relief options for horses which can be used in the short, medium and long term whilst remaining cost effective and efficient. We can even provide analgesia tailored to specific situations such as internal (visceral) pain, somatic or orthopaedic pain, neuropathic (nerve) pain and chronic pain Some of the causes of pain we commonly diagnose and treat include: Lameness Neck and back pain Dental disease Stomach and hindgut ulcers Ovulation or uterine pain Muscle and soft tissue injuries Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are concerned about your horse, or would like to discuss ongoing pain management solutions. Our experienced vets will be happy to discuss your individual horse’s requirements. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #equinepain #horsepain

23.01.2022 BOTS - THEY’RE STILL AROUND Check out these little critters we saw on a gastroscope recently - they are very common at this time of year! But do you know about how these wriggly worms can affect your horse’s health? A bot is not actually worm. The life cycle is complex and these larval stages are more like maggots than worms.... ewww! The flies lay eggs on the horse’s legs, as we all know this can cause significant distress to the horse and it is not uncommon that ...we see injuries from being chased by bot flies! Once the eggs are laid, the horse scratches them off with their mouth and the eggs hatch. They then burrow into the soft tissues of the mouth, and can cause significant pain and distress, as well as gum disease. The next stage of the life cycle involves the larvae being swallowed into the stomach, where they attach themselves with little hooks to the stomach lining. This causes damage and ulceration to the wall of the stomach and in some cases will cause the horse pain and discomfort, just like other stomach ulcers After completing the stomach stage, the larvae pass out into the faeces and continue their life cycle into a fly....just in time to start harassing our horses again! Bot prevention is hard work but worth it if you can control them and prevent damage to your horse. We recommend: Removing eggs on a daily basis from legs with a bot fly knife or stone, or wiping down the eggs with kerosene or an insecticide Remove faeces from the paddock regularly Use a boticide wormer at the end of summer to ensure you kill any bot larvae in the stomach. This is also an important time to worm for encysted cyathostomes so a Moxidectin/praziquantel wormer is useful for dealing with both species! If you’re worried your horse may have an issue with a bot burden, please feel free to get in touch to discuss your horse with one of our veterinarians. Stay tuned for more when is a gastroscope not just about stomach ulcers posts! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #bots #botfly #stomachulcers

23.01.2022 SACROILIAC joint (SIJ) pain - this is a commonly diagnosed issue in performance horses. But how much do you know about this cause of lameness? Here are some common clinical signs we see in our lameness examinations with horses with SIJ pain. Not many horses are not actually lame but have more subtle signs! Lameness in one or both hind limbs... Loss of impulsion and propulsion from the hind limbs A shortened hind limb stride Issues in canter particularly bunny hopping and disuniting A prominent tuber sacrale or hunters bump Pain on palpation of the SIJ region Diagnosis of SIJ pain requires ruling out other causes of the above clinical signs - this most commonly involves the use of nerve blocks to rule out other causes of pain or discomfort in the hind limbs. Interestingly, whilst we love nerve blocks here at Horsemed Hills, as the best and most definitive way to localize and identify lameness, it’s very uncommon to see our vets block an SIJ. The reason for this is that the SIJ is very close to a major nerve controlling the hind legs - diffusion of the local anaesthetic can cause the horse’s hind legs to buckle! Treatment of SIJ pain in horses generally involves a rehabilitation program, and working with other equine health professionals to ensure the muscles surrounding the joint strengthen and support the joint going forward. Commonly we will also use an injection of cortisone or other anti-inflammatory into the SIJ to reduce the pain and inflammation. Here at Horsemed Hills we also offer ultrasound guided SIJ injections, which gives us a way of imaging the SIJ and also performing a targeted injection into the correct location. The second photo here shows the placement of a needle into the SIJ as visualized using ultrasound. If you are concerned your horse could be showing signs of SIJ pain, please contact us at the clinic to discuss with one of our vets or nurses. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #sacroiliacjoint #ultrasoundguided #lameness #equinelameness #equineorthopaedics

21.01.2022 HAPPY HORSE’S BIRTHDAY!! To celebrate this year, we’re excited to have a special birthday giveaway! We’re giving away ... 2 x FREE gastroscopes 4 x FREE faecal worm egg counts AND 2 x mini first aid kits Just remember to like our socials (Facebook and Instagram) and like this post so we can do a random draw of all the entrants! The boring stuff.... gastroscopes are only offered in clinic. Overnight stabling costs are not included. Faecal worm egg count samples must be dropped off or posted to our clinic in Echunga. First aid kits can be posted within Australia only. Competition closes on the 14th of August. Don’t forget to share this post if you have horsey friends who would like to enter too! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #morphettvilleequineclinic #equinevet #horsevet #competition #horsegiveaway

21.01.2022 #nofilterneeded What a beautiful sunset from the office last night as we locked up after another hectic day at Horsemed Hills! Aren’t we lucky to live and work in such a lovely spot!... #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #adelaidehills #southaustralia #springsunset

19.01.2022 Whilst COVID is really cramping our style traveling out of SA, it seems the horse market is still strong and we are seeing lots of horses who have travelled from interstate or are leaving us to travel for several days to their new homes. With long distance travel unfortunately comes the risk of travel sickness and we have seen several cases recently. ... Here is our go to checklist for receiving a horse who has travelled a long distance. If anything is not quite right, please contact your vet IMMEDIATELY. Travel sickness can be readily fatal and is best treated early. Check your horse’s temperature soon after arrival, and at least twice for 5-7 days after. Normal rectal temperature range for a horse is considered to be 37.0-38.4 degrees - CONTACT your vet if your horse has a temperature, even if they are otherwise well! Check your horse’s appetite, faecal output and water intake twice daily. Early issues with the digestive tract can be picked up this way, before they become serious. Mucus on the faeces is very common post traveling, and is a good indicator that the gut transit time has been prolonged. This is a potential precursor to impaction colic The two most common varieties of travel sickness are pneumonia and colitis (severe diarrhoea). It is important to monitor for any snotty noses, coughs, and soft faeces. Treated early, many horses will respond well to treatment and not suffer long time effects Check for lameness, lumps and bumps twice daily. Laminitis, splints and muscle soreness are all reasonably common post traveling On arrival, be sure to allow your horse to settle in to his new home and stretch his legs. Providing appetizing feed, preferably on the ground, and plenty of fresh water is important. Remember your new horse may not be used to your feed and water and may need some options or encouragement to eat and drink normally! Don’t forget to tag your friends or share if you know anyone sending or receiving horses at the moment! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #travelsickness #horsetravelling

17.01.2022 What a difference a month makes! Check out these X-rays from one of our laminitic patients taken recently. They are taken approximately one month apart. Whilst we can’t reverse the damage caused by laminitis, we can correct the hoof to improve the biomechanics, therefore improving comfort and preventing ongoing damage. Laminitis is a very serious disease, but many cases can be managed and returned to their previous use. ... Here at the Hills, we are very lucky that our vets are experienced in this tricky disease, as well as up to date with the latest science and skilled in more complex diagnostics such as venograms if required. Maybe it helps that they have also rehabbed their own laminitic cases, so they also know what you are going through as owners! Thanks of course goes to our fantastic local farriers, including the one who worked this magic! In this region we are blessed to have many farriers who are absolutely fantastic to work with, and achieve amazing results. We are always keen to work alongside farriers to get the best results for our patients. Thank you also to our wonderful client who gave permission for us to use these X-rays to allow other horse owners what can be achieved once we start working up these cases! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #laminitis #farrier #xrays

17.01.2022 We’re not sure what Kym was teaching Mollie about faecal worm egg counts but it looks like it was pretty funny! As we enter spring don’t forget it’s that time again.... yes faecal worm egg count time! We are already seeing plenty of high worm burdens (as well as bots!!) this year so it is very important to get your horse checked out! And more importantly, look how much fun our nurses have doing them! ... FWEC run in house on the day Results checked by a vet Recommendations from a vet #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #faecalwormweggcount #horseworms #parasites #equinehealth

17.01.2022 Now that takes balance!

16.01.2022 If you have been to our clinic this morning, please check your pockets!! We have found something on the lawn that you may be missing . Give us a buzz to claim. ThanksIf you have been to our clinic this morning, please check your pockets!! We have found something on the lawn that you may be missing . Give us a buzz to claim. Thanks

15.01.2022 Most horse owners are aware of Wobblers as a condition affecting horse’s necks, but did you know neck pain is an increasingly commonly diagnosed condition in horses? Common symptoms of neck pain include: Stiffness... Unwilling to work, particularly in certain head and neck positions or bends Inconsistency in the rein contact Low grade, inconsistent and inexplicable forelimb lameness Abnormal or asymmetric neck muscle development If you horse is displaying any of these symptoms, we would strongly recommend an examination by your veterinarian. Here at Horsemed Hills, we are lucky that our vets are experienced in diagnosing these challenging cases. Some of the things our vets may look for include pain on palpation of the neck, reduced range of movement and the symptoms mentioned above. So what can we do if we suspect your horse has neck pain? The first step is to take some X-rays of the neck - we are lucky again in the Hills to be spoilt with amazing xray machines that take top quality neck xrays. However careful interpretation is important as some perfectly normal horses can have some changes on xrays! The most common disease responsible for this type of neck pain in performance or riding horses is unfortunately osteoarthritis, which is of course a degenerative condition. The specific condition is commonly called facet joint arthropathy, referring to the particular vertebral structure that is affected. If you horse is diagnosed with neck pain, some common treatment strategies include: General osteoarthritis management such as Epiitalis or Pentosan Working with other equine professionals to assist with soft tissue healing and strengthening (we’re lucky in the Hills to have some amazing ones to choose from!) A rehabilitation program tailored to help horses with neck pain The most commonly used targeted treatment is ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection into the facet joints themselves. This tricky procedure is only performed at the clinic in our crush. We have been fortunate to see some truly fantastic results with this treatment! If you are concerned that your horse may be showing symptoms of neck pain, please contact us at the clinic on 08 8391 9400 or your local veterinarian to discuss further. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #horseorthopaedics #horseneckpain #poorperformance #equinepoorperformance

14.01.2022 Wow! What a great response we have had!!! We will definitely get some more comps out in the coming weeks, so everyone can get a few more chances! Going back through ALL of the posts, we had an early winner, with 19 syringes in the jar........ Congratulations Brandon Bourke!! Please send us a message and we can organise getting your prize to you!

14.01.2022 Who’s excited about the return of competition on the horizon Here’s hoping our horses are more like the foreground than the background! 2020 certainly has been memorable!... #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #2020 #postlockdown #returntoriding

14.01.2022 20% BONUS FREE EPIITALIS ON 250ML!! Get in quick! We keep saying we’re going to put this on Facebook, and we’re finally getting around to it.... once word gets out these usually sell out in a couple of days!... Message us or call us on 08 8391 9400 if you would like one - don’t forget to tag or share with your friends who use this great product! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #epiitalis #interpath

13.01.2022 Here’s an interesting case which came into the clinic last week - thanks to the owners for allowing us to share these photos. This sweet 14 year old mare presented for an on/off discharge from her vulva. She has had multiple foals previously, however her current owners have only had her for 6 months as a companion/lawnmower. She was absolutely bright as a button, slightly on the chubby side, and with an excellent appetite and no temperature! Our vets were quickly able to id...entify that her uterus was full of fluid and start the lavage process - this was tricky as her cervix had significant scarring and was unable to open properly which is likely what lead to this problem. Check out this bucket of pus (one of three!). We are sure she will be feeling better after this is out! Pyometra, or pus in the uterus, is unusual in mares compared to other species such as dogs, but still seen occasionally. What is unusual about pyometra in horses is that it rarely causes obvious outward signs! Affected mares are usually clinically well! Most mares with condition will also have some degree of cervical damage, as this mare did, and often this needs to be treated as well as the uterine infection. The prognosis for pregnancy is of course poor. Luckily this girl isn’t having any more foals and is living a life of luxury! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #equinereproduction #equinemedicine #horsepyometra #mare #horsefertility

12.01.2022 Friday funny Anyone else have a mare (or gelding!) that holds grudges?! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #morphettvilleequineclinic #horsevet #equinevet #fridayfunny #horsefunny

12.01.2022 OUCH - this one isn’t for the faint hearted (or at least it might not be comfortable viewing for our male followers!)! Can anyone guess what’s happened to this poor fellow? Answer below...... . .... . . . . . . . . . . . This gelding was a little too amorous with his paddock mate which resulted in a swift kick to the penis! After some cold hosing and first aid, it became apparent there was a large haematoma and significant bruising and damage. Following a quick general anaesthetic, the penis was able to be replaced in the sheath. A modified Buhner suture technique was then applied to the opening of the sheath. This allows the patient to still urinate, but keeps pressure on the penis to reduce the swelling and allow it to heal. This reduces the possibility of long term complications which can include permanent paralysis and further trauma! We’re pleased to remove after removal of the Buhner suture at 10 days, then penis was normal and the patient was able to both extend and retract it. We get the feeling he won’t be trying his luck with the mares in future!! (And yes, he was tested to see if he is a cryptorchid or rig - he’s not!)! Thank you to the owners for allowing us to share this interesting case. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #horsesurgery #horsefirstaid #penisinjury

12.01.2022 It’s that time of year again..... yes FOOT ABSCESS time Every horse owner has to deal with abscesses from time to time. But do you know how to identify when an abscess requires more treatment? Are you aware of the potential sequalae of abscesses? And perhaps most importantly - how can we prevent them!? So what is a hoof abscess? Essentially it is when BACTERIA enter hoof and produce pus, causing pressure and often acute and severe LAMENESS. This can lit...erally develop overnight! This tends to occur more commonly in wet weather which softens the hooves, and also when horses are standing in mud or dirty paddocks/yards Treatment usually involves providing a path for DRAINAGE of the pus, preferably before it makes its own way out of the coronet band. Maintaining drainage is essential, and is normally achieved by POULTICING which also keeps the area clean and dry. Many horses also require pain relief, and sometimes antibiotics. It is essential all horses with hoof abscesses are up to date with TETANUS vaccinations! PREVENTION involves maintaining good hoof health. Laminitic horses and those with weak or stretched white lines are much more prone to abscesses. Also keeping horses out of MUD and water can help (easier said than done!) So a foot abscess is pretty simple right? What could possibly go wrong?? Well unfortunately lots of things! Including INFECTION of the pedal bone, navicular, coffin joint or tendons of the hoof, cellulitis of the lower limb, and LAMINITIS in the good hoof (known as supporting limb laminitis). Horses with pre-existing hoof issues are especially at risk A handy CHECKLIST for when to worry about a hoof abscess.... don’t forget we are always at the end of the phone to your horse, every case is an individual and these are guidelines only! If you are unable to establish drainage of an abscess If your horse is unable to walk or is non weight-bearing on the affected limb If your horse has an pre-existing conditions such as laminitis, cushings disease or arthritis If the abscess appears to be particularly deep, or in an unusual location (eg not around the white line) If there is marked swelling of the lower limb If your horse has any other symptoms such as tremors, reduced appetite or unusual shape of the limb - most hoof abscess patients are otherwise bright and well If you are at all concerned that it might not be just an abscess - don’t be the person who mistakes something more serious for an abscess! If your horse has a chronic or non-resolving abscess. Most simple abscesses will be resolved within 7 days Please feel free to contact us if you are concerned about your horse. Our vets are hoof abscess experts (and they might just enjoy a satisfying abscess drainage!!). #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #hoofabscess #horsehoof #winter

12.01.2022 IMPORTANT INFO IF YOU ARE COMING INTO THE CLINIC TODAY!! Old Mount Barker Road is currently closed for road work at the intersection with Church Hill Road (red box on map). However the clinic and Old Mount Barker Road are still accessible via either Ironstone Road (gravel road) or Flaxley Road - marked by green circles on the map! ... Please contact us if you need any extra directions. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #roadworks #mondaymorning #madmonday

11.01.2022 There is some planned power maintenance happening in our area today, so it is expected that we will lose power for a few hours. We have the phones diverted to the mobile, so please if you can’t get through the first time, just leave a message and we will call you back ASAP. Thanks for your patience!!

11.01.2022 Well here’s something we haven’t seen before! Earings from your horses baby teeth! Perhaps we could start saving bits and parts from a few other procedures we regularly do for jewels too!

10.01.2022 Foaling season is upon us! One of our vets saw an interesting and sad case last week, thank you to the owners for allowing us to share the details (photos are not this case). Sally, a paint mare, was rescued from a drought situation last year and her owners quickly identified she was in foal (despite the fact she wasn’t meant to be!). She foaled down an adorable little filly last week, however we quickly identified things weren’t going well. Annie, the filly, was up on ...her feet quickly and drinking from the mare. However within 6 hours of birth she started to show colic signs and had not yet passed her meconium (first faeces). She was treated comprehensively but unfortunately showed no improvement. With worsening colic signs and a provisional diagnosis of Lethal White Syndrome, little Annie was unfortunately euthanized. Lab tests after euthanasia confirmed the diagnosis of LWS. So what is Lethal White Syndrome (LWS)? An inherited condition most commonly seen in paint horses with the overo coat pattern Affected foals are all white or mostly white It is also known as ileocolonic agangliosis - meaning the nervous system which controls the intestinal tract is absent Affected foals appear normal at birth, but rapidly develop colic and do not pass meconium Unfortunately there is no treatment available and affected foals require euthanasia A genetic test is available and should be performed on the sire or dam prior to breeding to ensure they don’t both carry the gene Prior to mating horses with paint breeding it is very important to consider the risks of a foal with LWS and avoid that risk. Don’t forget colour genetics are a complicated matter! We recommend any horse with an apparent paint coat pattern, particularly overos, or of paint genetics is genetically tested prior to breeding. The gene can also be carried by other coat patterns - and some solid looking horses can carry the gene too. If you have any concerns about breeding or foaling, please contact us at the clinic. Our experienced vets can talk you through any concerns and always love to do newborn foal checks! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #horsebreeding #equinerepro #painthorse #lethalwhite

10.01.2022 Would you like to work with these shiny happy people?! We are seeking a new EQUINE VET to join our fantastic team! Don’t panic, our established four veterinarians aren’t going anywhere, we just can’t seem to stop growing and we could use some extra help! If anyone knows a super equine vet out there looking for a new opportunity please let us know! The nitty gritty........ Mostly ambulatory first opinion work, including elite sports horses, racehorses, beloved pets and everything in between Purpose designed clinic on 24 acres of stunning Adelaide Hills real estate - stables, yards, crush, arena, trot up strip and hard lunging area Our caseload is varied and we see a bit of everything! An interest in lameness and diagnostic imaging would be an advantage, but our clinic does everything except advanced surgeries and intensive in patients Our four experienced vets have varied interests, post graduate qualifications, and they’re a strong supportive team. We’re backed up by our sister clinic Morphettville Equine Clinic which is staffed by special interest and specialist veterinarians We have all the toys including multiple top of the range digital xrays, ultrasounds, shockwave, endoscopy.... 1 in 5 after hours roster with days off in lieu as standard. Professional development supported and strongly encouraged! Exceptional, experienced support staff including ambulatory nursing staff Definitely the best place in Australia to live (ok.... maybe we’re biased.... but is there anywhere better than the beautiful Adelaide Hills?!) - beach, wineries and the city are on the doorstep and it’s an equestrian paradise! Our clients are the best (again... possibly biased!) and deserve the best vets - we are looking for a vet with equine experience, with great attention to detail and excellent clinical and communication skills Contact us for further details but a competitive package awaits the right applicant and can include car and accommodation! APPLICANTS MUST HOLD A VETERINARY DEGREE AND BE ABLE TO REGISTER AS A VETERINARY SURGEON IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA Please share or tag anyone who could be interested! You can contact us via Facebook or by emailing us at [email protected] #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #vetneeded #staffneeded

10.01.2022 It’s that time again..... yes it’s nearly breeding season!! This year promises to present some additional challenges due to COVID. No one knows yet exactly how things will pan out but it is likely that our usual chilled semen delivery routes will be delayed due to the severely reduced number of flights domestically. At this point some carriers are suggesting it may take 4-5 days for what would usually be overnight delivery! At the early stage we are advising clients looking t...o use interstate stallions to make contact with the stallion owners to discuss what this season’s arrangements may look like. There is a lot of variation in this depending on the exact location of the stallion and the ease of semen collection and transport. If chilled semen is looking tricky then we are advising to either consider frozen semen if your mare is a suitable candidate, or if not consider shopping local! There are some wonderful stallions here in SA and that way you can ensure door to door semen delivery yourself! It’s never too early to start planning! Please feel free to contact us at the clinic if you need any help considering your options for this season, or if you would like to receive information about our competitive breeding services and packages. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #horsebreeding #covid19 #breedingseason

09.01.2022 Have you ever wondered what’s in a BLOOD TEST? Our vets will commonly run blood tests to investigate cases. We’re lucky we can run some IN HOUSE bloods such as measuring DEHYDRATION and LACTATE levels (which can be used to assess the severity of a colic). However our main health check blood tests include a comprehensive HAEMATOLOGY and BIOCHEMISTRY test. Put simply the haematology looks at the cells in the blood and the biochemistry looks at the enzymes and chemicals... in the blood. Here are some of the things we can pick up in a blood..... Evidence of INFECTION and whether it is likely to be bacterial or viral INFLAMMATION - which is particularly useful when deciding whether a horse is responding to treatment, can stop treatment, or is suitable to compete ANAEMIA HYDRATION and electrolyte status Evidence of PARASITISM and ALLERGIC conditions How the MUSCLES are functioning KIDNEY function including an assessment of electrolyte excretion LIVER function including the likely structures within the liver affected PROTEIN levels, including an assessment of proteins produced by the immune system vs proteins absorbed from the bowel Of course there are a lot more disease specific markers in bloods, and this just covers the basic blood test not ones screening for diseases such as CUSHINGS, EMS, HORMONAL ISSUES and many more! Blood testing is incredibly useful and recommended in a wide range of disorders! It is also a very handy annual tool to check on the health of your GERIATRIC and PERFORMANCE horses. Don’t forget to tag and share if you have horsey friends who might find this handy! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #horseblood #bloodtesting #equinemedicine

09.01.2022 SPLINTS Splints are such a common issue in horses, and something to really watch out for in the coming months as the ground starts to get hard. Most commonly, splints are seen in young horses and represent inflammation of the interosseous ligament that holds the splint bone to the cannon bone. This causes a boney reaction of the splint bone which is seen as a hard lump. The vast majority of these splints are found on the inside of the front legs, just be...low the knee. The prognosis for these splints to resolve and the horse return to work is generally good to excellent. But when is a splint not just a splint? Here are some handy tips to make sure you don’t miss something more sinister! LOCATION - if the splint is more in the middle or the lower part of the cannon, not on the inside of the leg or on a hind leg LAMENESS - horses with splints can be quite lame, but most rapidly improve with rest and no lameness should persist beyond approximately 4 weeks SIZE - any particularly large splints should be assessed carefully, as they may interfere or put pressure on the soft tissues in the region such as the suspensory ligament AGE - splints are much more common in young horses, so an older horse who suddenly has a splint warrants further investigation INJURY - splints are not associated with any damage to the overlying skin, so if there is a laceration or draining tract this must be examined These x-rays show the progression of a horse which fractured its splint bone from a kick this year. The difference between the first image showing the fracture and the second and third showing the boney callus as a result of healing is one month. Luckily this horse healed well and is now sound and back in work. However these injuries can cause long term issues and we recommend careful treatment and monitoring time achieve the best result for your horse. Thanks to the owners for allowing us to share these images! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #equinelameness #horselameness #horsesplint

09.01.2022 Most people who breed horses know what to look for when checking the placenta, but who has seen one of these before?! Our nurses Lauren and Mollie had a great time checking this little structure out! Check out the video in the comments (warning a little bit gruesome!). Thank you to our lovely client for taking the time to drop this off at the clinic for us to play with! For those who haven’t seen these before - this is an ossified yolk sac remnant. The yolk sac is a normal... feature of early pregnancy which is usually obliterated by weeks 12-16. Occasionally they can persist and develop a layer of bone - whilst strange looking, luckily they are not thought to have any effect on the pregnancy or the breeding career of the mare! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #equinerepro #horsebreeding

08.01.2022 This week we welcome final year vet student Elke to Horsemed Hills! She will be spending the next two weeks with us so if you see her out and about please feel free to have a chat. We have missed having students during COVID and we’re excited to welcome them back and help them develop their training and career. Elke is a horse girl herself and we were very excited to hear she is keen to become an equine vet. However we won’t be able to recruit her as she is lucky enough to have already secured a job at an excellent equine clinic in Victoria, our friends South Eastern Equine Hospital. We are sure she will be a great asset to their internship program and perhaps she will make her way back to SA sometime! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #vetstudent #vetintraining

07.01.2022 Isn’t it amazing how things can change in 24 hours these days! Just a reminder we are heading into a strict circuit breaker for the next six days. As always, we are available for any emergency and urgent work and horse welfare remains a top priority. However unfortunately ethically and legally we have to do the right thing and postpone non urgent or routine work. Please bear with us as we pivot and navigate this dramatic chance (but it’s only six days!). We continue to be d...edicated to keeping our staff and clients safe through these difficult times. As such we are immediately returning to our COVID protocols: Contact free consultations where possible - we may ask you to allow our vet and nurse to handle your horse while you keep your distance. As always, we will maintain strong communication throughout the consultation Social distancing will be strictly adhered to Masks to be worn at all times as per SA health Please use hand sanitizer when attending the clinic or prior to a consultation If you have symptoms of being unwell, please let us know and DO NOT attend the clinic or meet us at your property. We can arrange a vet and nurse to attend and handle your horse if it requires urgent attention Unfortunately we expect to still be extremely busy given the shutdown of some veterinary facilities, so please bear with us and Morphettville Equine Clinic while we navigate these strange times! We’re here for you and your horse, now and whenever you need us. Come on SA, we’ve got this! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #covid #coronavirus #covid19 #circuitbreaker

07.01.2022 It’s no secret our vets love a new toy - check out their latest one! Recently we decided we were frankly sick of wires and decided to semi-retire our oldest xray (only a few years old - it’s amazing how technology advances!!) and procure this shiny Miatech Australia machine! We’re thrilled with the image quality, and the lack of pesky wires!! It also has a great battery life and is remarkably light to take out and about! ... If your horse needs x-rays we look forward to showing you just how great this machine is! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #horsexray #equinelameness #equineorthopaedics

07.01.2022 DONT FORGET TO BE PART OF OUR HORSE’S BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY - CLOSING ON FRIDAY!! Be sure you to like our post so we can pop your name in the draw! Great prizes including gastroscopes! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #gastroscope #competition #giveaway

07.01.2022 The weather is slowly but surely heating up! But do you know how to look after your horse in the hot weather? Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking at some useful tips to ensure your horse stays healthy through summer! It’s often said you shouldn’t allow a hot horse to drink...... but is this true? Scroll down to find out!... . . . . . . . . . This is a MYTH! It is often said that you shouldn’t allow a hot horse to drink water, or ration it’s water until it cools down. This myth probably stems from some hot horses showing signs of colic after drinking. However this is most likely due to heat stress, rather than water intake. Hot horses should be allowed free access to cool water to assist in their cool down and prevent dehydration. Don’t forget not every established wisdom in the horse world is based in science! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #horsecare #horsehusbdandry #summer #hotweather

07.01.2022 Anyone else feeling like this after the wet week we have had??!! Weather thankfully looks to be clearing up for a few nice days of riding and drying out next week though

06.01.2022 TRIGGER WARNING...EQUINE EUTHANASIA . . . .... . . . . . . Unfortunately having horses inevitably means heartbreak if you spend enough time with them. A difficult but important topic is that of euthanasia. We made this post as a short guide of what to expect if you need our help to say goodbye to your horse or pony. All of our vets use a euthanasia solution. A firearm is an acceptable alternative in the hands of a skilled operative, however none of our vets have a firearm license. You are welcome to stay with your horse, or if you prefer you can leave them in the hands of our vets and nurses. We always make sure we treat our euthanasia patients with the utmost respect, dignity and of course plenty of affection, whether or not their owners are present. Often your horse will be sedated, and a special needle, known as a catheter will be placed in the jugular vein to allow for a smooth injection. Euthanasia solution essentially provides a large overdose of anesthesia. The horse loses consciousness and then other essential body systems stop working. Your veterinarian will always talk you through the process and what to expect if you would like to understand in more depth. You may have heard scary stories about unpleasant euthanasias or drug reactions. Luckily the more modern drugs and approaches mean these tend to be a thing of the past. The large majority of euthanasias are peaceful and calm. We can help you to arrange what to do next after your horse or pony has passed away. Whether this be burial, removal or cremation our support staff and vets can talk you through the options and even make the arrangements for you if you would prefer. Please contact us at the clinic if you need to have a chat about a euthanasia or end of life care for your horse or pony. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #equineeuthanasia #endoflifecare

06.01.2022 What a big weekend of equestrian sport in SA! Our nurse Lauren and vet Ruth were very happy to get back eventing again at Canoe Tree Horse Trials - it was great to catch up with so many clients and horses looking great! The horse trials were generously sponsored by our friends at Fleurieu Equine Clinic and we hear that the day went very smoothly behind the scenes too! Lauren rode her OTT Tattoo You into 5th place at his first horse trials and Ruth rode her SA locally bred Wyn...ara First Romance into 4th place in the same class. Check out this happy snap captured by the talented KH Photography! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #eventing #southaustralia #eventingsa

06.01.2022 Enjoy your weekend everyone - hopefully with some quality horsey time thrown in there! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #horseriding #horse #horses #horsequotes #horselove

05.01.2022 Happy Friday from the team at Horsemed Hills! Today our team had a delicious lunch from Rock Sugar Thai Cuisine as a thank you for all their hard work. Our clinic is only 2.5 years old and has grown to include 4 fantastic experienced vets and 5 dedicated nurses and support staff. We all work very hard to bring you and your horses the 24/7 professional service you deserve - so sometimes it’s nice to take half an hour out of the day for a bit of team bonding! #horsemedhills #horsemedsa #equinevet #horsevet #teambuilding #teamlunch

05.01.2022 If you recently called our after hours line with an injured horse in Dawsley - please call us back if you still need help! Or if you know who it could be please let them know. Unfortunately we can’t call you back without a number as our after hours system is a divert Just a reminder, we’re always here to help after hours but please leave your name and number so we can call you back. We know you’re often stressed so it’s easy to forget! Our vets are often on another call or... with a horse so can’t always answer straight away. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #afterhours #emergency

04.01.2022 Yep this cartoon looks pretty accurate to us! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #horsetherapy #happinessisahorse

03.01.2022 Welcome David! It’s been no secret we’ve been incredibly busy lately, and needing some more help in the vet department. We’re excited to announce we are welcoming Dr David Cox up to our Hills clinic, initially on Thursdays, to help with the workload. Many of our clients will already know David as he has worked at our Morphettville Equine Clinic for the last 2 years. Luckily they can spare him one day a week! ... David is an experience equine veterinarian, having graduated from The University of Glasgow College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences in Scotland before completing an equine internship at The Horse Clinic (House & Jackson) in the UK. David then joined us in the Southern Hemisphere, working for esteemed clinic Scone Equine Hospital, forming part of their ambulatory and equine reproduction team. We were then lucky enough to recruit him to Morphettville and now we’ve pinched him for a day in the Hills! Outside of work David enjoys an active lifestyle including tennis, rugby and skiing. If you see David out and about or in the clinic don’t forget to say hi and make him feel welcome up here! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #newvetkindof #busybusy #springtime

02.01.2022 TIME TO ANNOUNCE OUR WINNERS!! Please contact us to organize collection/scheduling of your prize! Gastroscope winners........ Molly Murphy Sarah Evans Faecal worm egg count winners..... Ruth Schneeberger Rory Dunn Lucie Manifold Penny Keen Mini first aid kit winners..... Melissa Boekel Sharon McEvoy If your friend is listed here please tag them to let them know! Keep your eyes peeled for more giveaways soon! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #horsevet #equinevet #competitiontime #competitionwinners #winnerwinner

02.01.2022 Just because we’re 100% equine doesn’t mean we don’t love all animals! This little cutie came to visit yesterday while his horsey friend got checked out at the clinic. Other animals welcome so long as they’re super cute and you don’t ask us any complicated questions about them! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #cuteanimals #lamb #equineclinic #equinehospital

01.01.2022 Another week, another welcome post ! This one is well and truly overdue, oops! We welcome Molly McKenzie to Horsemed Hills as an equine nurse, and we’re very excited to have her onboard. Molly is an SA local who has recently returned home after working on a station and feedlot in NSW. Molly loves competing in campdrafting and polocrosse, and in her spare time helps run her family business breeding performance horses. Molly has a passion for both equine and bovine repro...duction work, so we look forward to having her help and enthusiasm as the season gets started. Molly is currently full time as regular clients may have noticed our nurse Ceri’s smiling face has been missing around the clinic lately. Don’t worry, Ceri is still part of the team, she is just taking some leave to pursue her other passion, animal and conservation science. At this very moment she is taking part in an amazing dolphin project at the South Australian Museum. However Molly is well and truly filling the gap and will still be staying as part of the team once Ceri returns. Don’t forget to say hi to Molly if you see her around the clinic or out and about! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #equinenurse #vetnurse

01.01.2022 Arthritis.... it’s the diagnosis no horse owner wants to hear, but unfortunately it remains one of the most common causes of lameness in all types of horses. However, arthritis, also know as osteoarthritis (OA) and degenerative joint disease (DJD) doesn’t have to mean retirement. These days we have the ability to manage and maintain horses with arthritis, to allow them to live athletic, comfortable lives. There are many options for horses with arthritis, and it is nev...er one size fits all. Often, we choose to treat them with targeted medication directly into the joint. For some owners this sounds extreme and invasive, but we are lucky that veterinary science has come a long way, and now we have some truly amazing options for these horses. Read on to find out more..... Some of our joint injection options available at Horsemed Hills: Commonly, joints are injected with a combination of corticosteroid (an anti-inflammatory) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Many owners worry about the early research showing cortisone could damage cartilage. However the cortisone we most commonly use now, Triamcinolone, has actually been shown to be chondroprotective (protects cartilage) across many large studies Biological products are increasingly popular. IRAP (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein) and PRP are both used. These products are harvested from horse’s own blood and are used to draw stem cells and other healing factors into the damaged joint Polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) is a new product which we are using with increasing frequency in appropriately selected cases. It is a non-degradable gel which incorporates itself into the structure of the joint and forms a gel-like cushion within the joint If you would like to discuss your horse with one of our experienced veterinarians, please feel free to contact us at the clinic by commenting, sending us a message or giving us a call! Remember to share or tag your friends if you know someone who may find this information useful! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #arthritis #horsearthritis #joints #jointinjections

01.01.2022 This one is a tricky post to write, so please bear with us. We’ve made no secret of the fact we’re very busy (and watch this space for exciting news on that’s front...!) and that has meant we are flat out servicing our existing clients and welcoming new ones! We are very happy about this and we love to be busy, bring it on!! However, unfortunately this means that there are occasionally some short wait times on elective procedures such as lamenesses and pre purchases. We try o...ur best to accommodate your needs but we believe these kind of procedures deserve: A booking period of a couple of hours minimum to ensure our vets can be as thorough as they need and devote the time you and your horse deserve Use of suitable facilities and trained handlers where possible to allow interpretation of complex cases Top spec equipment for the best diagnostic imaging available in SA Our vets are without exception experienced lameness clinicians with years of honing their craft behind them. This means they’re very popular and we can promise they are worth the wait! We ask you to please be respectful and we will try our best to work with you. Any rudeness or abuse towards our dedicated and professional office staff and nurses will not be tolerated. If we cannot accommodate your specific time or date requirements we will pass on the details of the many other wonderful local equine veterinarians. We ask that you please be up front with us if you are going to contact other local vets to see if they can fit you in sooner. We absolutely respect that sometimes this is necessary for you and your horse, but unfortunately sometimes it means we’re unable to help another client or horse who have been waiting for an appointment. Just let us know, and we’ll make sure we pencil you in and follow up to ensure you still want the appointment. Thanks for reading - we can’t wait to see you soon! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #lameness #equineorthopaedics #busybusy #sillyseason

01.01.2022 HELP!! MY HORSE ATE A PIECE OF PLASTIC!! We had a worried after hours call this weekend from a client who saw their horse eat a piece of plastic - imagine riding your horse.....looking across at your other horse enjoying their hay....to notice suddenly a piece of green plastic flapping from their mouth!!! Unfortunately it was too late to retrieve the plastic from that end! The gelding was brought to the clinic the next day when he started to show some mild colic symp...toms. He was treated with plenty of fluids, pain relief and close monitoring - we’re pleased to report this morning he is much happier and there was a lovely surprise for our nurse Kym in the yards! Remember it’s very important to carefully check any roughage for your horses, as this isn’t the first time our vets have come across this problem (and don’t store feed in plastic bags where horses can reach it either!)! #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #morphettvilleequine #horsevet #equinevet #horsecolic #equinemedicine #poovideo

01.01.2022 Sometimes X-rays are not just about legs! We often xray abdomens to check for sand - unfortunately sand accumulation is common in sandy areas and can cause severe colic and diarrhoea if left untreated. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re worried your horse could have a sand accumulation. Our portable X-ray equipment is capable of imaging your horse on property to hopefully set your mind at rest! If your horse does have a sand accumulation we can administer a sand drench a...nd discuss ongoing prevention measures. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #sand #sandcolic #horsexrays

01.01.2022 Another busy weekend of competition around SA this weekend! Thank you to the lovely Melissa Boekel for getting in touch after winning the AOR Novice Championship at Mt Crawford Dressage Club competition, sponsored by HorsemedSA. We were thrilled to sponsor this event and congratulations Melissa and Jaffa! Don’t forget if you’re looking for a vet clinic that prioritizes supporting local equestrian sport (and most of the staff participate too!) you can look no further than Hors...emed and Morphettville Equine Clinic. #horsemedsa #horsemedhills #equinevet #horsevet #dressage #sponsorship #supportlocal