๐โจCase Highlight - Diaphragmatic Herniaโจ๐
๐โจCase Highlight - Diaphragmatic Herniaโจ๐
This 6 month old standardbred colt was referred to hospital as he was displaying severe colic signs (rolling and thrashing on the ground). Based on the severity of clinical signs, laboratory results and ultrasonography, exploratory laparotomy (colic surgery) was recommended. โผ๏ธ
In theatre the surgeons found that a large section of the colon was displaced and trapped in the chest through a diaphragmatic hernia. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle between the chest cavity and the abdomen which keeps the bowel in the abdomen and the heart and lungs in the chest.
In this case, there was a large opening in the wall allowing bowel to move between both cavities. The colon had filled with food within the chest cavity (a colon impaction) preventing it from returning to its normal position. The anesthetists were surprised when our surgeons explored the hernia and said, โI can feel its heart beating in my handโ. If you look closely at the video you can see the heart beating! โค๏ธ
This type of diaphragmatic hernia is called a retrosternal or Morgagni hernia. โจ
After the colt had successfully recovered from the initial colic surgery, a second surgery was required to close the hernia, to prevent bowel from moving back into the chest cavity. Our team of surgeons used a sheet of non-absorbable mesh, which was sutured in place over the hernia and therefore closing the hole.
โก๏ธ There is no sex, age or breed predisposition for this condition; most diaphragmatic hernias are traumatic in origin or due to increased intra-abdominal pressure.
โก๏ธ In foals, they can develop in association with rib fractures that occur during a difficult birth.
โก๏ธ In mares the increased intra-abdominal pressure during birth can result in diaphragmatic hernias, especially during dystocia.
The colt was discharged from hospital a week later without complications and is doing well. We canโt wait to see what his future
It took a team approach to save this pregnant mare who was referred to TAHMU for a severe sand burden causing acute colic and a very distended abdomen.
She has received the all clear and is now happily back at home for the remainder of her pregnancy!
๐P.S. Can you spot the babyโs heart beating on the ultrasound!?! ๐
๐ Blood Transfusion๐
At TAHMU we are fortunate to have our herd of teaching horses, who not only teach the future generation of veterinarians, but a selection of which also are tested as universal blood donors. This patient received 3 bags of blood (12L) from teaching horse Luke over multiple transfusions!
The universal blood donors have the ability to donate 1/5 of their blood volume. For the average 500kg horse that is 8L per donation. For humans we donate one pint of blood (473ml)!
Just like your post-donation biscuit, our equine friends get an extra feed with added muesli for dinner, and are closely monitored before being retuned to the herd.
We are incredibly thankful for the many โjobsโ that our teaching horses take part in!
#teachinghorseappreciation
๐Highlight on โWobblersโ syndrome๐
A young thoroughbred gelding was referred to us for evaluation of gait abnormalities, including stumbling and abnormal limb placement, that had failed to improve following a spell.
Neurological assessment by Dr Guy Lester from our medicine team was performed. This test includes assessment of nerve function of the head and body, tests of reflexes, brain function, gait evaluation at the walk on a firm and sloping surface, circling, backing and tail pull. The gelding showed multiple abnormalities on examination, including abnormal foot placement, toe dragging and pivoting, consistent with an abnormality in proprioception (knowledge of the body in space) which is transmitted by the spinal cord to the brain. As all four limbs were affected, this is usually indicative of an abnormality in the cervical spine (neck).
Radiographs of the cervical spine obtained by the referring veterinarian were inconclusive; this is a common finding using a two-dimensional imaging modality for a complex structure such as the spine. A computed tomography (CT) myelogram was performed to obtain a definitive diagnosis. This involves injecting a contrast solution (radiographic dye) into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space around the spinal cord, which highlights areas where the spinal cord is compressed. Importantly, CT is able to image the spine in 3d dimensions.
The images confirmed a diagnosis of cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM), commonly known as Wobblers Syndrome, secondary to abnormalities of bone formation during growth. It is important to confirm the precise cause of neurologic signs, as there are multiple causes that can appear similar. Wobblers is often perceived as a grave diagnosis, but without confirming the precise reason for neurological disease, it is not possible to establish treatment options and prognosis. While severe, developmental causes of Wobblers are not usually treatable, other causes such as arthritis, a
TAHMU
๐โAlone we can do so little, together we can do so muchโ - Helen Keller๐
We might be biased, but we believe we have something special here at TAHMU.
We are incredibly grateful to work as part of such a diverse, knowledgeable, experienced and effective team. Just this week we have performed 8 standing CT, 1 general anaesthetic CT, 3 MRI, foals, dynamic scopes, dental extractions, countless surgeries, and extensive lameness exams in this immense heat!
We couldnโt be more proud! ๐
2023
๐ 2023 has been a year for the record books!
What a year it has been, a few of our highlights include:
- Installation of standing MRI
- Installation of standing CT
- Vet School accreditation visit
- Welcoming back Professor Guy Lester as part of the medicine team
- Welcoming back Dr Michaela Harcourt as part of the surgery team
- Completion of our day yards
We canโt wait to see what 2024 brings! ๐๐
Equestrian In The Park ๐
Less than 24 hours to go before one of the most exciting equestrian events gets underway in Perth! The Animal Hospital is proud to be sponsoring one of this years jumps. Our team have hard at work replicating a life size CT machine.
As a part of supporting the event, we have provided vouchers for services from our team, towards the place getters prize packages! ๐๐ค๐ผ๐
We canโt wait see everyone there, good luck to all the riders.๐ค๐ผ๐ ๐
The Animal Hospital At Murdoch University
Qalibra CT
Canon Australia
Equestrian In The Park
Hump Day? How about jump Day!
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After a short period in atrial fibrillation, and complications from chemical conversion with quinidine, electrical conversion was achieved today!
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We are extremely thankful for our referring clinicians, and clients, and their continued dedication to achieving the very best for the WA equine community. ๐๐๐
๐ At our hospital, we are proud to offer a multidisciplinary service, allowing us to treat a range of complex and varied conditions in one place, from diagnosis to treatment to recovery. For our team, this enables members to continually grow and learn new skills. We caught up with Veterinary Anaesthetist, Dr Stef about her role and working in the team at TAHMU.
Did you know that Murdoch University is the only WA university to offer veterinary medicine, with TAHMU providing a clinical setting for teaching, training and animal care. With more than 85 qualified vets and 150 support staff TAHMU provides veterinary care to a variety of animal species, including cats, dogs, horses, and farm animals. ๐
The Animal Hospital At Murdoch University
Murdoch University
๐ At TAHMU, we are fortunate to have a wonderful support team of vet nurses, vet nurse assistants and animal welfare workers. Not only do they care and treat our patients every day, but also support veterinary students to achieve their dreams. For the nursing and welfare team, TAHMU is a family, and a community united in one goal โ the care and protection of animals and the training of an outstanding veterinary workforce for the future.
Murdoch University is the only Western Australian university to offer veterinary medicine, with TAHMU providing a clinical setting for teaching, training and animal care. With more than 85 qualified vets and 150 support staff, TAHMU offers the full suite of services, including anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging (MRI and CT), clinical pathology, emergency services and provides veterinary care to a variety of animal species, including cats, dogs , horses, and farm animals. ๐
We are proud to share this video featuring Dr David Byrne, on the importance of knowledge and skills being passed on to the next generation of veterinary professionals. For David, TAHMU is a unique clinical facility, now backed by technology enabled learning facilities at the award winning Boola Katitjin academic building โ ensuring that our students graduate to become outstanding professionals.
Murdoch Uni is the only WA institution to offer veterinary medicine, with TAHMU providing a clinical setting for teaching, training, and animal care. With more than 85 qualified veterinarians and 150 support staff TAHMU offers a full suite of specialist services: surgery, medicine, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging (MRI and CT), clinical pathology and emergency services. Providing veterinary care to a variety of animal species, including cats, dogs , horses, and farm animals.
The Animal Hospital At Murdoch University
Murdoch University
The Equine Services team are proud to be a part of The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University and share with you a behind the scenes look at our Veterinary Hospital.
From training the next generation of veterinarians, to treating sick animals utilising the very latest medical technology, no two days are the same.
Murdoch University is the only Western Australian university to offer veterinary medicine, with our hospital providing a clinical setting for teaching, training, and animal care. With more than 85 qualified veterinarians and 150 support staff, TAHMU has a full suite of specialist services: equine medicine and surgery, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging (MRI and CT) and clinical pathology, and takes great pride in providing exceptional veterinary care to a wide range of animal species, including horses, cats, dogs and farm animals.
The Animal Hospital At Murdoch University
Murdoch University
Calyco Productions
Sneak Peak
๐๐ Sneak Peak ๐๐
Although we have been closed, we have reached a significant milestone with our Advanced Imaging Suite!
Our colleagues at Qalibra CT and Canon have been working tirelessly, day and night to install the only Exceed Large Bore CT in Australia, even among human scanners!
The transformation of the room wouldnโt have been possible without Rob, Nathan and Sean at Bayzacon.
This is only a short glimpse of an extraordinary advancement in equine imaging in Western Australia. To experience it in person register your interest on the link below!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q3ZN6MH
We are pleased to announce we are back open for all services, including standing CT cases, with our first patients scheduled this week! ๐คฉ
Qalibra CT
Canon Australia
Bayzacon - Carpentry Fit Outs and Renovations
The Animal Hospital At Murdoch University
#vet #veterinary #equine #university #vethospital #radiology #horsecare #equinehospital #vetlife #equineveterinarian
Did you know that horses sometimes get abnormal heart rhythms?! ๐โค๏ธ
The most common of these is atrial fibrillation, where the top chambers of the heart donโt beat in a coordinated manner. This usually doesnโt cause a problem in a horse at rest, but at high level exercise, leads to poor performance.
At The Animal Hospital, we are able to treat atrial fibrillation with medications or with electrical conversion (TVEC). This racehorse was initially treated by his referring veterinarian with medications, but unfortunately the atrial fibrillation returned. After an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to make sure there were no other problems. Our team of medicine specialists placed two long catheters with electrodes into the heart using ultrasound guidance, under sedation and additional monitoring by our anaesthesia colleagues. These catheters are uniquely designed for horses and ordered specifically for this procedure, from the only manufacturer in the world! The catheters need to be placed strategically within the correct chambers of the heart to make sure the procedure is successful.
The horse was then anaesthetised and the catheter positions within the heart were confirmed with both chest X-rays and ultrasound. Our small animal critical care colleagues then delivered carefully timed, low-dose electric shocks to the atria by the catheters.
Success!! The shocks led to restoration of a normal heart rhythm. The horse recovered uneventfully from the procedure, and after a few days of monitoring at the hospital, will have a period of rest before returning to race training.๐ช๐ฝ๐ช๐ฝ
If you suspect your horse has a heart problem, ask your vet for an examination. They may recommend referral to our team of equine medicine specialists. As with most things, early recognition, evaluation and treatment is key to a successful outcome. Thank you to the prompt referral by this horseโs veterinarian! ๐ฅ
Larkhill Equine Hospital
Meet Reba ๐คฉ๐ฆ
Reba presented to The Animal Hospital for evaluation for an acute onset of neurological signs, which resulted in her being recumbent for several days.
When she arrived, Reba had a head tilt to the right, leant on walls, and frequently became unbalanced. Our specialist medicine team performed a neurological exam which localised dysfunction of the vestibular nerve; this nerve sends information about balance and head position to the brain from the inner ear. In addition due to Rebaโs recumbency she also had pressure sores, including an abscess over her right side.
Reba underwent diagnostic radiographs of her head, which highlighted a fragment on the poll. This type of finding is suggestive of head trauma, commonly seen when horses fall. Computed tomography (CT) with contrast was recommended in order to rule out the presence of temporohyoid osteoarthropy, basilar skull fractures, or other pathology that may affect the treatment plan or prognosis. Undertaking this confirmed the presence of an avulsion fragment of the semi-spinalis capitis insertion likely due to trauma, but without any other significant bony pathology. These findings were encouraging for her recovery.
The abscess and remaining wounds were Rebas next hurdle. Our specialist Surgeons performed an ultrasound to investigate the severity of the abscess over her hip, and confirmed there was no damage to underlying structures. The abscess was surgically prepared, and lanced, to encourage drainage and allow for daily lavage. The fluid drained was cultured, which provided information for antimicrobial treatment.
Reba stayed at the hospital for over a month to allow the team to provide debridement of the abscess and staged neurological assessments.
Upon going home Reba had regained normal nerve function and her wounds were healing! Reba was an outstanding patient, being only a yearling! We are thankful for the dedication of the owners, who made the very long 12 hour journey to us, a
2022 - Another great year for our equine team at @the_animal_hospital_murdoch ๐
This year was undoubtedly a challenging one for our profession, but despite these, our close-knit team continued to work together to continue to provide the excellent service we are all so proud of. ๐
It was a year of ups and downs, as we welcomed several new team members (including 2 mini-team members ๐๐) but sadly said goodbye to two of our beloved teaching horses. We had some incredible cases; many that brought us so much joy but also some that broke our hearts. ๐
The past 12 months have seen some really exciting changes for our equine hospital! From installing cameras in our ICU stables to new rubber flooring for the breezeway, and the arrival of our standing MRI to site works starting in preparation for the installation of the standing CT - there is no doubt that 2023 is going to be a big year! ๐
On behalf of our equine team, we would like to thank you for your ongoing support. We are so excited for what the next 12 months has in store and we look forward to being there for you and your equine family in 2023! ๐
#equinevet #happynewyear #2023 #bigthingsarecoming #equinemedicine #equinesurgery #advancedimaging #equinemri #equinect #theanimalhospitalmurdoch
Itโs a groundbreaking day for our equine hospital, as our new standing MRI was finally secured in its new home!๐คฉ This advanced diagnostic imaging technology is going to revolutionise equine lameness and podiatry in Western Australia - all without the need for a general anaesthetic! ๐ Installing this modality to service our Western Australian horses would not have been possible without the generous involvement of @rwwaofficial; not to mention the support from @murdochuniversity, @the_animal_hospital_murdoch and @hallmarqveterinaryimaging. The standing MRI facility will be functional early in the new year, and we absolutely cannot wait! ๐ฅณ#hallmarqveterinaryimaging #rwwaofficial #racingwa #murdochuniversity #veterinarymedicine #equinelameness #equinevets #mri #equinesurgery #christmashascomeearly
There are some mixed emotions today at The Animal Hospital At Murdoch University (some sadness combined with a lot of love), as we send our gorgeous Amy off on her maternity leave. ๐
Amy is such an integral part of our equine team, and she will be greatly missed! We wish Amy and Nev all the best for the safe arrival of their little one, and we cannot wait to meet Baby Parker! ๐
#maternityleave #maternity #missyou #lovehorses #nosleepclub #babyontheway
2021 A Year in Review!
Well 2021 certainly was a year! ๐
It was the year of (too many) goodbyes, as Assoc. Prof. Cristy, Dr Rachael, Dr Michaela and Dr Jon all went on to pursue new and exciting challenges! RVN Gemma made a permanent comeback, as Dr Izzy and veterinary nurse Imii joined the ranks; and we also welcomed two new baby team members (with another on the way)! ๐๐๐
2021 brought us bushfires, lockdowns, a tragic horse truck accident, and the devastating loss of one of our final year students as well as a referring veterinary colleague. Throughout all of these challenges though, we remained united - a strong and cohesive team, that are more like family than co-workers.
Despite its lows, the past 12 months have also brought us a lot of great cases, wonderful clients, fun, laughter and cake! We are all so thankful for entrusting us with the care of your precious horses and ponies, and we cannot wait to see what 2022 brings! ๐
#equinesurgery #equinemedicine #veterinarymedicine #equinevet #2022 #HappyNewYear
