Surgery

• Purpose-built, dedicated surgical suites.
• Kruuse multi-tilt table.
• Rubber floored, purpose-designed standing surgical suite.
• Dedicated and fully qualified surgical nurses.
• Four fully-padded anaesthetic induction and recovery boxes.
• Assisted rope recovery system following anaesthesia, under specialist anaesthetist supervision.
• State of the art laparoscopic and arthroscopic equipment.
• Specialist dental extraction equipment.
• Diode laser for upper respiratory tract surgery and mass removal.
• Equipment and expertise to perform cervical fusion (wobbler surgery).
• Invasive blood pressure monitoring and blood gas analysis.
• Mechanical ventilation under general anaesthesia.
• CCTV-monitored recoveries.

We offer the following standing surgeries:

• Sinus surgery.
• Minimally invasive Steinman pin repulsion.
• Minimally invasive transbuccal extraction.
• Repair of selected fractures.
• Laparoscopic ovariectomy and cryptorchidectomy.
• Laparoscopy for investigation of chronic colic.
• Thoracoscopy.
• Penile amputation.
• Dorsal spinous process resection.
• Interspinous ligament desmotomy.
• Splint bone removal.
• Jugular vein thrombectomy.
• Cystotomy.
• Selected laryngeal surgeries.
• Eye removal and prosthesis.
• Cyclosporin implantation for recurrent uveitis.
• Vitreal injections.
• Corneal surgery.

We offer:

• Abdominal (colic) surgery.
• Upper airway surgery.
• Wounds and skin tumour removal.
• Skin grafting.
• Reproductive surgery.
• Thoracic surgery (chest wounds).
• Urogenital surgery (bladder and genital tract).

Whether your patient requires routine elective surgery, emergency surgery, keyhole procedures (laparoscopy) or targeted laser surgery, we can provide the expertise and technology to ensure the best outcome.

We can perform the rapidly advancing, minimally invasive surgical technique for ovariectomy (ovary removal) and cryptorchidectomy (abdominally retained testicles) in standing sedated horses.

With the latest instrumentation in vessel sealing devices available in the clinic, laparoscopic surgeries are now safer to perform in a shorter period of time.

These surgical advancements alleviate the requirement for general anaesthesia in most cases, result in smaller incision sizes, and can result in a more rapid return to work.

We can use this minimally invasive surgical technique to evaluate and treat a variety of conditions, from bone chip fragments and fracture repair to infection in joints and the evaluation of cartilage quality. 

We use the latest Arthrex arthroscopy units with ultra-high definition endoscope imaging to allow complete visualisation of the affected joint and the insertion of specialised instruments through additional incisions to the target site(s).

This procedure leads to more rapid healing, but return to training and joint function is often determined by the severity of the lesion(s) observed at the time of surgery.

We use specialised equipment to access lesions within the tendon sheath or bursa. 

Surgery is set up and performed, with soft tissue structures surgically assessed, and we utilise contrast enhanced CT and MRI to facilitate an accurate surgical approach, treat all injuries and shorten the duration of anaesthesia.

The upper respiratory tract is a complex and highly sensitive region in the horse that can have significant performance limiting effects, due to a variety of conditions.

Upper respiratory tract surgery is performed with either minimally invasive laser surgery for minor conditions or general anaesthesia and advanced surgery for more complex conditions.

Our clinic offers over-ground endoscopy for real-time assessment of the upper airway problem(s), and standing CT for 360-degree assessment of the head and larynx to determine if additional complicating factors are present before surgery is performed.

Orthopaedic surgery ranges from growth defects (angular limb deformities) in the foal, to osteochondrosis (OCD) in the young developing horse, to bone chip fragment removal, fracture repair and arthrodesis (joint fusion) in the adult horse.

Our team is equipped with the latest fracture repair equipment, and our highly specialised diagnostic imaging team utilises CT guided repair for the more complex fracture repairs. 

Fracture repair can be performed standing (depending on horse temperament, fracture type and safety) and under general anaesthesia.

A laser is an intense beam of light that is focused on an area to cut, seal or vaporise tissue. 

We use laser surgery through an endoscope for respiratory surgery or using a hand-held technique for tumour resection, given the laser reduces the risk of peripheral tumour cells remaining after resection, due to the heating effect from the laser.

We offer a wide range of minimally invasive advanced techniques for treating conditions affecting the teeth, sinus cavities, jaw and head.

Detailed 360-degree CT imaging of the affected region is performed increasingly frequently in our hospital, and routinely in cases with complex conditions.

We use the latest and safest standing sedative combinations with local anaesthesia, thus alleviating general anaesthesia in most cases.

We offer a full range of services similar to the human dentist from tooth decay prevention, tooth fillings, teeth braces to tooth removal.

We can perform cervical fusion for horses with ataxia (poor coordination) and neck osteoarthritis.

Our 24-hour emergency service offers colic (abdominal) surgery, caesarean sections, fracture repair and joint and tendon sheath surgery following wound trauma.

Anaesthesia is undertaken by board specialised and highly experienced veterinarians supported by state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, with the latest padded recovery areas meaning that the majority of horses have a rope-assisted recovery from general anaesthesia under full supervision.