The staff of the internal medicine service are responsible for the diagnosis, treatment and management of all equine medical disorders. A comprehensive range of advanced diagnostics are employed enabling the targeted treatment and management of medical conditions affecting any body system (respiratory, renal, hepatic, cardio-pulmonary etc.) arising from a wide range of causes from athletic activity to infectious disease. They also provide clinical support to the Hospital’s surgical team ensuring the provision of the best possible veterinary care for every patient.

 

GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE

The internal medicine department routinely diagnoses and treats all medical conditions that affect horses. Most commonly, these include gastrointestinal and respiratory problems.

 

Among gastrointestinal problems, colic occurs the most commonly. Colic is a broad term used to describe abdominal pain. This can mean anything from gastric ulcers to a large intestinal impaction or even a displacement or torsion. In any horse presenting with colic, a thorough diagnostic evaluation is undertaken to determine the cause. This includes blood sampling, rectal examination, abdominal ultrasound evaluation, and, if needed, additional diagnostics, such as gastroscopy, abdominal radiography or peritoneal fluid sampling. Colic patients are managed medically or, if surgery is indicated, referred to our surgical team.

 

Respiratory diseases commonly manifest themselves as cough, nasal discharge or labored breathing. Horses are prone to develop various respiratory illnesses. These range from simple respiratory viruses to a severe bacterial pneumonia. The most common non-infectious respiratory disease is equine asthma syndrome. Airway diagnostics include blood samples to determine the presence of an infection; airway sampling is required to determine if there are infectious agents present; and deeper airway sampling (bronchoalveolar lavage) is performed when there’s a suspicion of equine asthma syndrome. Airway endoscopy is a valuable tool for visualizing both upper and lower airways. That way, the origin of nasal discharge or a loud respiratory sound can be determined.

 

Other, less common medical problems include kidney diseases, urogenital problems and hepatic diseases. 

Any patients that require more intensive diagnostics or treatment are housed in the hospital stalls. There, all necessary monitoring and treatments can be undertaken.

 

Dermatology

Skin conditions can be diagnosed at the stable or in the clinic. Thorough diagnostics is essential to determine the cause of the problem. This includes a thorough clinical examination, skin scraping for cytology and culture, skin biopsies to investigate deeper reaching skin conditions, and sometimes also allergy testing if there is a suspicion that the condition is allergic in nature.

 

Infectious Diseases

The most common infectious diseases affecting the equine patient are respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal tract disturbances. For the safety of other patients, any horse with a suspected or confirmed infectious disease is isolated from others. For this purpose, the Equine Hospital has a dedicated isolation unit which is equipped with separate boxes. There, it is possible to undertake all necessary diagnostic procedures and provide treatment, including intensive care.

 

Ophthalmology

The most common problems affecting equine eyes are corneal traumas resulting in ulceration; conjunctivitis and uveitis. For simple problems, a stable visit and at home care may suffice. More complicated cases require hospitalization. For frequent administration of medications, a sub palpebral lavage system is placed. For complicated cases, including more complicated surgical procedures, the internists in the clinic regularly consult with Dr. Andžela Lehtla, DVM, a specialized veterinary ophthalmologist.

 

 

Cardiology

Conditions affecting the heart, such as murmurs or arrhythmias, are rare in horses. However, when they do arise, specialist evaluation is needed to determine the nature of the problem and the implications for the horse’s intended use. The Equine Hospital is extremely lucky to be able to use the services of a certified veterinary cardiologist. Dr. Paul F. Mõtsküla, DVM, PhD, DipECVIM-CA, European specialist in veterinary cardiology, will provide his invaluable insight and knowledge in all matters of the equine heart.

 

Neonatal Medicine

Neonatal medicine deals with the youngest of patients: newborns and young foals up to 2 weeks of age. Newborn foals can be affected by many life-threatening conditions such as prematurity or dysmaturity, perinatal asphyxia syndrome or sepsis. All of these require comprehensive diagnostics which include a full blood panel, ultrasound and radiological examination, and miscellaneous other tests, and intensive monitoring and care.  Foals that require intensive care and round the clock monitoring are kept in a separate small stall next to the mare. That way, the mare is still in contact with the foal, while the foal is receiving all the care it needs. For any orthopaedical or surgical problems such as angular limb deformities or septic arthritis, the medical team works closely together with the surgeons.