Vet in the Valley

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Vet in the Valley Ambulatory Equine and Veterinary Services, covering the Derwent and Coal Valleys.
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Equine Insulin dysregulation and laminitis Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. Its main job is to help move sugar...
15/11/2025

Equine Insulin dysregulation and laminitis

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. Its main job is to help move sugar (glucose) from the blood stream into the body’s cells to be used for energy.

Hyperinsulinemia Associated Laminitis (HAL) is the most common type of laminitis in horses and ponies, representing over 90% of cases. HAL develops gradually causing recurrent lameness due to high insulin levels that damage sensitive hoof tissues. This condition differs from other laminitis types caused by infection or over loading of a limb. The exact causes of HAL remains under studies but ongoing insulin imbalances may improperly activate receptors in the hoof, leading to tissue damage!

🐴 Let’s Talk About Sacroiliac (SI) Injections! 🩺Since our recent post about kissing spine, we’ve had lots of questions a...
11/11/2025

🐴 Let’s Talk About Sacroiliac (SI) Injections! 🩺

Since our recent post about kissing spine, we’ve had lots of questions about sacroiliac (SI) injections — and we thought it was the perfect time to clear up a few things!

The sacroiliac joint sits deep in the horse’s lower back, where the spine meets the pelvis. It’s a key part of how your horse generates power and movement from behind — so when this area is sore or inflamed, you might notice stiffness, reluctance to go forward, or difficulty with collection and engagement.

At Vet in the Valley, all of our SI injections are performed under ultrasound guidance, allowing us to accurately place medication right where it’s needed. But before we ever reach for a needle, we start with a comprehensive soundness and back evaluation. This helps us identify whether the sacroiliac region is truly the source of pain — or part of a bigger picture.

👉 Many horses diagnosed with kissing spine also show signs of sacroiliac pain. These two conditions are often linked — when one area hurts, horses tend to compensate by changing their posture and movement, which can place extra stress on the other. That’s why treating both issues together often leads to the best results in terms of comfort and performance.

Dr Fenella in action! 🩺🐴

Here’s a look at Dr Fenella performing ultrasound-guided sacroiliac injections on a horse showing signs of pain in this area. Using ultrasound ensures precise placement of medication right where it’s needed for the best results.

If your horse has been struggling with back soreness or performance changes, our team is here to help you get to the bottom of it and find the right treatment.

Kissing Spines — More Common Than You Think Kissing Spines (also known as Overriding Dorsal Spinous Processes) is a cond...
09/11/2025

Kissing Spines — More Common Than You Think

Kissing Spines (also known as Overriding Dorsal Spinous Processes) is a condition that affects many horses — sometimes without us even realizing it. It occurs when the bony spines along the horse’s back are too close together, causing pain, inflammation, and even behavioral changes.

Signs can include:

⚡ Resistance under saddle

⚡ Bucking, rearing, or refusing to move forward

⚡ Trouble with bending or collecting

⚡ Changes in temperament or sensitivity when grooming the back

⚡ Reduced muscle over the top-line

The good news? With the right diagnosis, management, and rehabilitation, many horses with Kissing Spines can return to comfort and performance. 💪

At Vet in the Valley, we take a thorough and thoughtful approach to diagnosing Kissing Spines. Each case begins with a comprehensive soundness evaluation to rule out or identify any contributing lameness issues using our lameness locator SLEIP. From there, we use radiographs (X-rays) and ultrasound to assess the spacing and alignment of the dorsal spinous processes along the spine.

In some cases, we may also perform diagnostic nerve blocks of the back to confirm that the area is indeed the source of discomfort.

This step-by-step process ensures we get the clearest picture possible — helping us create the most effective, individualized treatment plan for your horse. 🐎

If your horse is showing signs of back discomfort, it’s always worth having a professional assessment — early intervention can make all the difference. 🐎

Why are we posting a picture of a jar of jam? This is the last jar from a gorgeous client in Hamilton who, whenever she ...
05/11/2025

Why are we posting a picture of a jar of jam?

This is the last jar from a gorgeous client in Hamilton who, whenever she picked up medicine for her dog, would leave us a gift of homemade jams, relish and highly sought after Worcestershire sauce.

Unfortunately her elderly dog passed away, and we suspect things have changed for Mrs Sonners too.

We used to fight over who got what in her deliveries. 📦… the best jam in the Valley.

It’s these little things that make this community so special - the gift and the appreciation.

The things you find on a Upper Respiratory Scope! Do you know we perform them without sedation in order to accurately de...
05/11/2025

The things you find on a Upper Respiratory Scope! Do you know we perform them without sedation in order to accurately determine what the throat anatomy is doing!

🐴 A Brave Patient’s Journey – Eye Enucleation After Uveitis 💚Recently we cared for a beautiful horse who had been battli...
30/10/2025

🐴 A Brave Patient’s Journey – Eye Enucleation After Uveitis 💚

Recently we cared for a beautiful horse who had been battling uveitis, a painful inflammatory condition of the eye. Despite aggressive treatment, the inflammation led to a non-healing corneal ulcer — causing constant discomfort and putting the horse’s vision and quality of life at risk.

After careful assessment and discussions with the owner, the best option for comfort and long-term quality of life was to remove the affected eye (a procedure called an enucleation).

The procedure was performed safely in our portable crush, with the horse standing comfortably under sedation and local nerve blocks. This approach allows us to avoid general anaesthesia while keeping the horse calm, pain-free, and secure throughout the surgery.

Surgery went smoothly, and we’re thrilled to report that our patient is already recovering well! Horses adapt incredibly quickly to having one eye — and the relief from chronic pain often brings a noticeable improvement in their demeanor and energy. 🥰

It’s never an easy decision, but in cases like this, enucleation can truly be the kindest choice.

If your horse shows signs of eye pain — squinting, tearing, cloudiness, or sensitivity to light — please have them checked promptly. Early diagnosis and management can make a huge difference in protecting their comfort and vision.

💚 The Vet in the Valley team is always here to help your horses live their happiest, healthiest lives.

Pet 🐑 lambsWhat a joy they are! Until they eat your roses 🌹… 😐This is Daisy 🌼, a pet lamb at Dr. Libby’s farm. Daisy rec...
28/10/2025

Pet 🐑 lambs

What a joy they are! Until they eat your roses 🌹… 😐

This is Daisy 🌼, a pet lamb at Dr. Libby’s farm. Daisy recently had her vaccinations, ear tag, and tail docking. Daisy was very lucky as she received both long acting pain relief and local anaesthetic for her procedure. This is standard practice for Vet in the Valley as we believe in avoiding distress when at all possible. If you would like this for your pet lamb, please call 📞 61462255 to book in.

Breeding season is in full swing! We are proud to offer both frozen and fresh chilled AI programs, per cycle or per seas...
24/10/2025

Breeding season is in full swing! We are proud to offer both frozen and fresh chilled AI programs, per cycle or per season packages. 📦. Individual paddocks and on farm Agistment available.

🐴❤️

Reminder that today is a public holiday, but as always Vet in the Valley will be available for emergencies. Please call ...
22/10/2025

Reminder that today is a public holiday, but as always Vet in the Valley will be available for emergencies. Please call 0419306182 to leave a message and our dedicated team will return your call as soon as possible.

Dr. Josie Hale (Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist) will be gracing our shores again! How lucky are we...
19/10/2025

Dr. Josie Hale (Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist) will be gracing our shores again! How lucky are we! Dr. Josie will be consulting from both our facility in Plenty and the wonderful Coal Valley Equestrian Centre week commencing Monday 10th November. Spots are limited. Contact 6146 2255 to secure your spot.

15/10/2025

‼️‼️Warning - snake are active! ‼️‼️

Last week we had our first snake bite presented to Vet in the Valley Animal Hospital. In this case the outcome was very successful! Hooray! 🥳

Some key elements the owner did to facilitate this outcome was:
1. Immediately present to their closest veterinary clinic
2. Called ahead to warn their veterinarian- which allowed our team to be prepared and facilitate rapid response
3. Made clear and decisive decisions which gave our team direction for rapid and successful treatment

If you think your dog or cat has been bitten by a snake please take them immediately to your closest veterinarian, and ring ahead. Have a discussion within your family about limits and treatment.

What are signs of a 🐍 snake bite:

- Dilated pupils
- Drooling or vomiting
- Wobbliness or ataxia
- Blood in urine
- Muscle shaking or twitching

Hopefully we don’t see too many over the warmer months, but rest assured we have a team and the equipment for the best initial care possible.

This is what we love! ❤️ our first mare 🐴 pregnancy of the season! Vet in the Valley offers full season and per cycle pa...
15/10/2025

This is what we love! ❤️ our first mare 🐴 pregnancy of the season! Vet in the Valley offers full season and per cycle packages for both frozen and chilled semen at our property in Plenty.

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Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00
Thursday 08:30 - 17:00
Friday 08:30 - 17:00

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+61419306182

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