Sports Medicine/Lameness

The role of Equine Sports medicine is to determine the soundness and health of top equine athletes whatever their discipline might be. An excellent equine sports medicine team is important to the trainer, rider or owner to make sure their horse is able to reach peak performance in their selected sport. At McKey Equine Hospital we work very hard to keep our equine athletes from several different sporting events in top shape. Some of the services we use in determining if a horse is lame are:

• Lameness/Pre Purchase Exam
• Chiropractic
• Digital Radiography
• Ultrasound
• Video Endoscopy

Once a lameness is diagnosed, then several treatment modalities are available including:

• Traditional joint treatment
• IRAP, PRP
• Shockwave Treatment

Internal and General Medicine

The McKey Equine team manages a variety of in-hospital cases ranging from neonatal to geriatric care. Around the clock veterinary care is provided. Services include:

• Ultrasound
• In House Lab
• Ophthalmology
• Gastro Intestinal Treatment/Colic Management
• Respiratory Care
• Neonatal Care
• Geriatric Care
• Infectious Diseases
• 24/7 Emergency & Intensive Care

Digital Radiography

Digital Radiography uses the same concept as a digital camera. The image is visible within seconds of exposure without the need for chemical processing or laser scanning a phosphor based imaging cassette. The advantage is increased speed and efficiency in obtaining radiographs and immediate image preview.

Shockwave Therapy

ESWT, or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is a new, non-invasive technology that is the most current standard of care for equine musculoskeletal problems. Results include accelerated healing, improved healing, and lessening of pain. A shock wave is a high pressure (acoustic) wave with very high amplitude, rapid rise time, and short pulse duration. These waves are generated outside the body (extracorporeal) and can be focused at a specific site within the body. Shockwave Therapy can be and is used to treat arthritis, tendon or ligament injuries, as well as OCD and developmental disorders.

Equine Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is an excellent compliment to veterinary medicine. Through chiropractic care I have been able to evaluate my patients from a different perspective thus increasing my confidence level as a lameness diagnostician. Many situations can be stressful to your horse. This stress can alter the way your horse moves or performs. Chiropractic goals include:

• Relieving pain in affected areas
• Return to full function
• Promotion of healing and reducing chronic degeneration to joints and surrounding tissues.

Signs of potential chiropractic care issues:

• Poor eating and bitting performance.
• Improper head set or neck flexion
• Behavioral changes such as saddling, bucking, etc.
• Loss or decreased performance including problems with executing desired movement, lameness, short stride.
• Injuries resulting from a fall or other activity

A patient may need to be adjusted multiple times if necessary depending on the diagnosis and severity of lesion and management of environmental stresses to that patient.

Dentistry

Equine dental abnormalities are a common occurrence in horses and can lead to a sore mouth, weight loss, sinus infection and choking. The abnormalities can range from sharp enamel points to occlusion abnormalities such as wave, or step mouth which can affect your horse’s ability to move his jaw and grind food. Other severe dental problems include, tooth root abscesses, broken molars, fractures, and hooks, which can be corrected by floating your horse’s teeth. Horses can also have root infections and may require the removal of the tooth. Your horse’s teeth need to be floated on a yearly basis. At McKey Equine Hospital, we use the Pneumatic Powered Dental Equipment.

Reproduction Services

At McKey Equine Hospital we offer the following reproductive services: Mare Reproduction:

• Rectal Palpation and Ultrasound
• Pregnancy Diagnosis
• Breeding Soundness Exams
  • Uterine Culture
  • Uterine Cytology
  • Uterine Biopsy
• Artificial Insemination
  • Fresh-Cooled Semen
  • Frozen Semen
• Post-Foaling and Post-Breeding Uterine Treatment
• Hormone Therapy

Wellness

Some of the wellness services offered at McKey Equine Hospital are:

• Dentistry
• Fecal Egg Counts
• Parasite Control (Deworming)
• Infectious Disease Control (Vaccinations)
• Coggins
• Vaccination programs for pregnant mares and for the foals after they are born
• Sheath Cleaning
• Nutrition Consultation

Surgery

At McKey Equine Hospital our surgical team is headed by Dr. Trent Stites, who has years of surgical experience. We offer a variety of procedures including:

• Soft Tissue Surgery
  • Urogenital Surgery/Reproductive
  • Upper Airway Surgery
  • Mass Removal
  • Ophthalmic Procedures
• Orthopedic Surgery
  • Ligaments and tendons
  • Arthroscopy/Endoscopy
  • Sequestra
• Foals
  • Ruptured Bladders
  • Patent Urachus
  • Transphyseal Bridging/Angular Limb
  • Umbilical Hernias
  • Check Ligament (inferior and superior)
• Lacerations
• Emergency Surgery For Dystocias/ C-Sections

In House Lab/Coggins Lab

We have our own in house lab at McKey Equine Hospital where we are able to run the following:

• Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA/Coggins) 1 Hour Testing
• CBC
• CBC and Chemistry Panels
• Fecal Tests
• Blood Gas/Electrolytes

24 Hour Intensive Care Unit/Emergency Services

Some of the services include:

• Medical Emergencies
• Colic Treatment
• Wound/Laceration Management

Ambulatory Services

Due to our excessive case load we are limited in providing Ambulatory Services, however, we are looking at hiring an additional associate and we will be able to make that service more readily available.