Client Services

Reproductive Services

Over the last three decades our practice has evolved around the breeding season and our daily appointments during this time of year reflect such an emphasis. Our veterinarians have practiced for a combined total of one hundred and ten breeding seasons. Much of our broodmare work involves rectal palpation, trans-rectal ultrasound, vaginal speculum exams and uterine culture & cytology. Handling the infertile mare is an area of great interest to us. We are equipped to acquire uterine biopsies, perform low volume uterine lavage for culture & cytology, perform hysteroscopy (viewing the interior of the uterus with an endoscope) and to institute appropriate therapy regimens. The majority of broodmare work occurs on the farm. However, we may ask that your mare come to our clinic for certain procedures such as hysteroscopy or for insemination with frozen semen. We are able to breed your mare with fresh, chilled or the frozen semen of your choosing. Assistance with stallion management can be provided if necessary. It goes without saying that live foals are the goal of our breeding efforts. We will be there for your mare during her pregnancy, labor and to perform your foal’s postnatal wellness exam.

We are pleased to announce the addition of equine embryo transfer, embryo cyropreservation, and management of chronically infertile mares. We are partnering with Select Breeders Services in Maryland for collection of embryos and shipment to recipient mares as well as the embryo cryopreservation.  The benefits of embryo transfer include but are not limited to the ability to have multiple foals from one donor in the same year, aged mares that have difficulty carrying pregnancies to term, continued use as a performance horse, and decreased risk to the donor mare by allowing another mare to carry the pregnancy.  Embryo collection is available at our clinic facility and in special circumstances at our client’s farms.  The breeding management of your mare can be done by one of our reproductive specialists at our temperature-controlled facility using fresh, chilled or frozen semen.

Pre-purchase Examination
Many prospective owners consider the Pre-Purchase Examination a valuable service when deciding to purchase a new horse.  Our veterinarians customize the exam to meet the needs of each Buyer. The goal of this exam is not to pass or fail the horse, but to approach it as a discovery process so that the Buyer can make an informed purchase. The Pre-Purchase Exam is quite possibly the most thorough examination a horse may undergo.
The standard pre-purchase exam includes:
  • Seller’s disclosure of medical and surgical history, current medications, current use and work schedule and any behavioral vices
  • Request that Buyer indicate intended use and any concerns regarding health or soundness  
  • Physical Exam: designed to address every body system including the eyes, cranial nerves, oral cavity, heart, lungs and upper respiratory system , gastrointestinal, skin and hooves, nutritional status, conformation, muscle symmetry, external genitalia and observation/palpation for surgical scars
  • Inspection and Palpation: neck, withers, back, loins, croup, all four limbs, hoof testers
  • Gait Evaluation: walking and trotting on a hard surface, lunge line, under saddle if possible, neurologic exam
  • Flexion Tests: major joints on all four limbs are flexed to detect discomfort, gait is evaluated  following flexion to determine if lameness is induced
  • Your veterinarian can advise you based on their findings whether additional diagnostic testing is appropriate. Some Buyer’s elect for all diagnostics to allow for a more thorough discovery process.  Diagnostics available (additional fees apply):
  • Complete Blood Count and Chemistry to assess health and organ function
  • Coggins  test  for Equine Infectious Anemia
  • Digital Radiographs - standard is 5 views of each front hoof and 4 views of each hock, additional films can be taken as desired
  • Upper Airway Endoscopic Exam
  • Fecal Parasite Test
  • Breeding Soundness Exam if applicable
Digital Radiography
We are proud to offer our clients the most sophisticated radiographic technology available. Digital radiography allows the veterinarian to acquire high resolution images instantly. This enhances our ability to perfect radiographic positioning and diagnose lesions with improved accuracy and reduced time. The software program used to view the images houses a variety of tools to enhance interpretation. Many clients choose to share images with other veterinarians or farriers to improve patient care. Sharing images is now easier than ever through the use of compact discs. Our first digital radiography unit became so popular, that a second unit needed to be purchased to fulfill client requests.

ACP/IRAP
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP) and Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP) Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD) is one of the main causes of lameness in horses. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage on the joint surface is damaged or destroyed, which produces pain and inflammation. Joints that are the most affected are the tarsus (hock), fetlock, pastern, carpus (knee), stifle and coffin joint. Usually, therapy involves intra-articular medications such as hyaluronic acid and/or corticosteroids, rest, NSAIDS (phenylbutazone or banamine), shockwave therapy, polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) such as Adequan, intravenous hyaluronic acid (Legend), and oral supplements that contain glucosamine and/or chondrotin sulfate.
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a cytokine that is secreted by many types of cells and plays an important role in inflammation. In the joint it accelerates the deterioration of tissues such as joint cartilage. Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP) blocks IL-1 from binding to tissues and inhibits the damaging consequences of IL-1.

Your veterinarian will collect blood into a specially prepared syringe containing glass beads that stimulate production of IRAP. This syringe is then incubated overnight and centrifuged to separate the plasma (abundant with IRAP) from the blood cells.  The sample is separated into individual vials and frozen until injected.  Typically, IRAP treatments are once a week for three weeks. Your veterinarian will recommend when your horse can return to work after undergoing IRAP treatment. 

ACP utilizes technology similar to that developed for IRAP, but instead results in plasma containing increased levels of many different beneficial growth factors. Like IRAP, your veterinarian will collect blood from your horse into a special syringe which is then centrifuged. However, the resultant plasma is available for injection the same day. This plasma can then be injected into a variety of acute and chronic tendon or ligament conditions. Applications include superficial and deep flexor tendonitis, suspensory desmitis, collateral ligament injuries, and muscle injuries. ACP and IRAP are both exciting technologies that can be incorporated into your horse’s current recovery and rehabilitation regime. 

Ultrasonography – Under construction

Gastroscopy/Upper Airway Endoscopy
Endoscopy is the visual examination of interior structures of the body using an endoscope. In the equine, endoscopy is most commonly employed for evaluation of the Upper Airway. However, the endoscope is versatile and can examine other structures such as the stomach, urinary bladder and reproductive tracts. A gastroscope is uniquely designed to allow visualization of the esophagus and stomach. Gastroscopy is used most commonly in the horse to visually assess the presence of gastric ulcer syndrome. Our gastroscopy clinics were quite popular in 2008 so make sure to check our upcoming events page for our 2009 dates.

Power Dental Equipment
The Power Float is an advance for routine dental care.  The Power Float allows our veterinarians to correct sharp points and abnormalities in dental wear more efficiently.

Laboratory Facilities
Our clinic has a fully equipped laboratory for most routine blood work including complete blood counts, fibrinogen, blood chemistry profiles, cytologic exams, fecal exams, bacterial cultures and antibiotic sensitivities. 

Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is effective in the management of chronic pain and lameness caused by a variety of musculoskeletal disorders.  The specific disorder must be identified prior to therapy, often using ultrasonography or radiography, in order to target the appropriate treatment area. Once the lesion had been identified high energy sound waves called shockwaves can be delivered to that location.

The reported effects of shockwave therapy are many and include enhancing nutrient delivery by increasing the blood supply to the lesion, stimulating specific cell types known to rebuild soft tissue and bone, promoting a local immune response, directing a more linear pattern of fiber healing in tendons and ligaments. The procedure itself takes about 10 minutes and may or may not need to be repeated. Response to therapy is related to the age and type of injury. 

Thermography
This diagnostic imaging tool is an infrared camera that can detect heat variation with a high degree of accuracy.  These images can be used to localize areas of inflammation and understand problems in horse’s joints, tendons, back and hooves. The heart generated between the saddle and the horses’s back during exercise can be evaluated to assist in evaluating saddle fit. Thermography is an excellent supplemental diagnostic tool because it is non invasive and it is very easy to use.