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Surgery

Equine Hospital

Precision, care, and expertise meet at our dedicated Equine Surgery Service.

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From routine procedures to complex surgical interventions, our Equine Surgery Service is committed to providing the highest quality of care for your horse. Our skilled surgical team utilizes advanced techniques and equipment to ensure optimal outcomes.

Under the care of our experienced, board certified surgeons, residents, and nurses your horse will receive the best in veterinary care. Our surgeons work closely with anesthesiologists, nursing staff, and you, the owner, to create a comprehensive surgical plan tailored to your horse's needs.

After you make your appointment, you work with a team of individuals to assess your horse and develop a diagnostic and treatment plan. We will do our best to respond to your concerns and answer any questions you may have concerning your horse's care. You will also receive a written estimate of cost for your horse’s surgical procedure. You will have the opportunity to consider the treatment options available for your horse depending on the diagnosis made following a complete evaluation.

Common Conditions

Our Equine Surgery Service frequently performs surgeries for: 

  1. Acute abdominal pain (Colic): Following a comprehensive physical examination, laboratory analysis, and other diagnostics a decision will be made whether or not surgery will be required to resolve the horse’s problem. Surgery for colic requires a team that is available to you every day of the year.
  2. Orthopedic conditions: We provide surgical care for a large variety of orthopedic conditions. Following an evaluation your surgeon will determine if the procedure can be performed with the horse standing or under general anesthesia. Orthopedic surgical procedures offered include:
    • Arthroscopy
    • Fracture repair
    • Transcyst screw placement
    • Tenoscopy
    • Internal fixation for fractures
    • Tendon and ligament surgery
    • Fasciotomy/neurectomy procedures for suspensory ligament problems
    • PRP, Prostride and mesenchymal stem cell harvest and injections
    • Joint arthrodesis
    • Correction of angular limb deformities
    • Sequestrum removal
    • Splint bone removal
  3. Soft tissue surgeries: The Equine Surgery service is well versed in all types of soft tissue surgeries including:
    • Laceration repair including wound management
    • Mass removal with and without surgical lasers
    • Hernia repair
    • Castration/Cryptorchidectomy (with/without laparoscopy)
    • Reproductive surgery
    • Laparoscopic ovariectomy
    • Laparoscopic nephrosplenic space ablation
    • Abdominal surgery
    • Melanoma removal
    • Urinary tract surgery including: nephrectomy, urethral extension, reconstruction, perineal urethrostomy, standing cystolith removal
  4. Upper respiratory surgery: We have well known surgeons with extensive experience with upper airway abnormalities involving the head and neck. These procedures include:
    • Standing laryngoplasty for laryngeal hemiplegia
    • Laser surgical correction of epiglottic entrapment
    • Laryngeal tie forward
    • Laser palatoplasty
    • Arytenoidectomy
    • Ceratohyoidectomy
    • Sinus surgery
    • Laser removal of ethmoid hematomas
    • Sinoscopy and rhinoscopy
  5. Dental problems: We offer surgical interventions for a variety of dental conditions including:
    • Tooth removal both standing and under general anesthesia
    • Routine and advanced dental care
    • Sinus flaps
    • Removal of broken teeth
    • Treatment of parrot mouth
    • Removal of dental tumors

If your horse requires surgical intervention, schedule an appointment with our Equine Surgery Service.

Common Procedures

Our Equine Surgery Service offers:

  1. Abdominal surgery: For conditions such as colic.
  2. Orthopedic surgery: Including fracture repair, arthroscopy, and joint replacement.
  3. Soft tissue surgery: Such as wound repair and tendon/ligament surgeries.
  4. Dental surgery: Including tooth extraction and correction of dental abnormalities.

To discuss your horse's surgical needs, schedule an appointment with us.

Special Equipment and Techniques

Our advanced techniques and equipment include:

  • Standing Computed Tomography (CT)
  • MRI under general anesthesia
  • Nuclear scintigraphy for lameness evaluation
  • Lameness Locator for evaluation of complex lameness cases
  • Arthroscopy
  • Diode and carbon dioxide Lasers
  • High speed treadmill and overground endoscopy
  • Intraoperative fluoroscopy
  • Digital radiography
  • Digital ultrasonography
  • Laparoscopic equipment
  • Bone plating equipment
  • Ligasure for bloodless surgery
  • Access to board certified anesthesiologists

To learn more about our surgical capabilities, schedule an appointment with us.

Common Questions

What precautions are taken during surgery to ensure my horse's safety?
Every horse undergoing surgery is carefully monitored by our dedicated anesthesiology team, and we use modern surgical and anesthesia equipment to ensure the utmost safety.

How long will my horse need to recover after surgery?
The recovery period can vary greatly depending on the type of surgery and your horse's overall health. Your veterinary surgeon will provide a detailed recovery plan post-operation.

How can I prepare my horse for surgery?
Preparation may include fasting your horse, providing a clean environment pre- and post-surgery, and following any specific instructions given by your surgeon.

For more questions about our Surgery Service, schedule an appointment with us.

At-Home Tips

After your horse's surgery, ensure to:

  1. Follow post-op instructions: This will help ensure a smooth recovery.
  2. Monitor for complications: Keep an eye on the surgical site and your horse's behavior.
  3. Provide rest and proper nutrition: Both are key to your horse's recovery.

For surgical consultations and expert care, schedule an appointment with our Equine Surgery Service.

Schedule an Appointment

Call: 765-494-8548
24/7 Emergency Phone: 765-494-8548

Entrance E - Equine Hospital Parking Lot
417 South Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
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Equine Surgery Team

Clinicians

Nurses/Technicians

Residents

Assistants