Galley Hill Equine Surgery

31/05/2024

HERMAPHRODITISM IN HORSES

Hermaphroditism is a very rare condition where a horse is born with both male and female reproductive organs. This can be a complex medical issue, often discovered during routine veterinary exams or when unusual behaviour or physical traits are noticed.

We were contacted when one of our wonderful clients noticed their pony was displaying ‘stallion like’ behaviour around mares and when being handled, even though they were under the impression she was a mare. Tahiyya, our head equine veterinarian surgeon, went out to examine the pony and found she (arguably also a he!) had external female and male reproductive organs but then also internal male reproductive organs resulting in extremely high testosterone levels in the blood.

Our visiting surgeon Bryan then came to our clinic to laparoscopically remove two testicles that were in the abdomen.
Within a few days after the surgery, our clinical team had already began to notice a huge difference in her behaviour.

The ponies recovery was smooth and uneventful so was discharged. This now meant that ‘she’, even though still a hermaphrodite, could go on to lead a normal and happy life being turned out with both mares and geldings.

Signs:
• Ambiguous external genitalia
• Behaviour typical of the opposite s*x
• Infertility or difficulty in breeding

Diagnosis:
• Physical examination
• Hormonal tests
• Ultrasound
• Genetic testing

Treatment and Management:
While there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, options may include:
• Surgical intervention to remove one set of reproductive organs
• Hormonal therapy
• Ongoing veterinary care to monitor health and behaviour

Risks of Owning a Hermaphrodite Horse:
While these horses can live healthy lives, there are some risks and challenges to be aware of:
⚠️ Health Complications:
Increased risk of infections or medical issues related to the reproductive organs.
Potential for hormonal imbalances that could affect overall health
⚠️ Behavioural Issues:
Possible behavioural problems due to hormonal inconsistencies, such as aggression or unusual mating behaviours.
⚠️ Breeding Challenges:
Infertility or complications in breeding programs. Horses with hermaphroditism are often sterile, which can affect breeding plans.

Hermaphroditism in horses is extremely rare. While exact statistics are hard to come by, it is estimated that this condition occurs in a very small fraction of the equine population. Most horse owners and breeders may never encounter it, which makes awareness and understanding even more crucial so if you have any concerns or questions about any of the points raised above then please feel free to get in contact with us!

Thank you to the owners for letting us sharing their story! 🐴

14/03/2024

🐴 PRE-COMPETITION MOT 🐴

Is your horse/pony ready for the upcoming 2024 competition season?

Ensure peak performance and optimal health for your equine athletes with a pre-season health check. Our wonderful senior vet Fernando holds a RCVS Certificate in Equine Surgery Orthopaedics and specializes in assessing the well-being of competition horses, addressing any potential issues, and providing tailored recommendations.

What is involved in the performance health check?
- On your yard or at our clinic examination (travel fee applies if we go to your yard)
- Clinical examination (Heart, lungs, basic teeth check)
- Orthopaedic examination
o Back and neck palpation
o In hand trot up
o Lunging
o Flexion test
- General blood profile
o Screen for any signs of infection, anaemia, inflammation, vital organ function, muscle enzymes etc

Benefits of a pre-season health check:
- Early detection of health concerns
- Customized care plans for individual horses
- Enhanced performance and reduced risk of injuries

⭐️ We are currently offering this for only £120 per horse! ⭐️

If there are any issues identified during the trot up or examination, we are offering 20% off any diagnostics on sites of concern. Diagnostics include:
o Radiographs
o Ultrasound
o Endoscopy/gastroscopy

Don't leave your horse's well-being to chance. Book your pre-season health check today and give them the competitive edge they deserve!

📞 To book please call us on 01992 762 185 or 💻email us at [email protected]

04/03/2024

🚗 TRAVEL OFFERS 🚗

A friendly reminder to all our clients about our two discounted travel offers!

Booking on one of these days can help save you some money so please give us a call to find out which travel day you qualify for! 🐴

20/02/2024

🌸🌼 Spring Castrate Offer 🌸🌼

For the whole month of March we have our very popular castrate offer back!

We are now offering a 5 day full livery package which includes all post-operative care if the castration is done at our clinic! Please contact us for prices.

☎️ 01992 762 185
💻 [email protected]

07/12/2023

⛄️Christmas Opening Hours! ⛄️

We would like to wish all of our wonderful clients a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

12/09/2023

🍂 OCTOBER CASTRATION OFFER! 🍂

Please contact us on 01992 762 185 or email us at [email protected] to book in!

04/09/2023

After recently having had some very rare cases of Teta**s occurring in our area, we thought we can help more by educating owners about Teta**s.

Teta**s is a serious bacterial infection that can be life-threatening for our equine friends as the toxins being produced by the bacteria attack the nervous system. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is commonly found in soil, manure, and even rusty objects.

Horses can contract teta**s through wounds, especially deep puncture wounds, as the bacteria thrive in anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) environments.

Symptoms can include:
🐴Stiffness and muscle spasms: Horses with teta**s often experience stiffness, particularly in their jaw muscles, neck, and limbs. This stiffness can progress to muscle spasms, causing the horse to have a rigid stance or difficulty moving.
🐴Difficulty swallowing: Teta**s can affect the muscles involved in swallowing, leading to difficulty in eating and drinking. Horses may exhibit a reluctance to eat, drooling, or even regurgitation of food.
🐴Stiff tail: A characteristic sign of teta**s in horses is a stiff, elevated tail. The tail may be held out straight or slightly raised, and the horse may have difficulty lowering it.
🐴Sensitivity to touch and sound: Horses with teta**s may become hypersensitive to touch and sound. They may react strongly to even gentle stimuli, such as being touched or approached.
🐴Increased heart rate and breathing: Teta**s can cause an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate in affected horses. These changes may be noticeable if you monitor your horse's vital signs.

It's crucial for horse owners to take preventive measures to protect their beloved companions. Here are a few tips to help prevent teta**s in horses:
🐴Vaccination: Ensure your horse is up to date on its teta**s vaccination. Regular boosters are necessary to maintain immunity.
🐴Wound care: Promptly clean and treat any wounds your horse may have or consult us directly.
🐴Environment management: Keep your horse's living area clean and free from debris, including rusty objects that may harbor the teta**s bacteria.
🐴Bio-security: Practice good bio-security measures to minimise the risk of exposure to teta**s and other infectious diseases.

Remember, early detection and treatment are crucial if you suspect your horse may have teta**s. Contact us immediately if you notice any symptoms such as stiffness, muscle spasms, difficulty swallowing, or a stiff tail.

28/07/2023

Wow wow wow 🤩

An amazing client of ours does bespoke oil painting and charcoal drawing commissions of animals and we are thrilled to be able to display her AMAZING work in our reception! Please do pop in and have a look.

The horse painting we have displayed is of her very special thoroughbred ‘Alfie’ who we adore so please contact Alison if you are interested in a bespoke painting of your furry friends! 🐴🐶🐱🐰
https://astubbingsart.co.uk

11/07/2023

Granulosa Cell Tumour (GCT)

The owner of this lovely mare called Tahiyya, one of our veterinary surgeons, out following changes in her behavior such as an “extreme affinity for other horses” and bringing all the other mares in her stable block into season. She was so “horse obsessed” that she would do anything to get to the other horses, which she had never done before. After an examination, an ultrasound and a blood test, it was found that she had an ovarian tumour called Granulosa Cell Tumour.

This type of tumour is the most common ovarian tumour and is almost always unilateral, functional and benign. Clinical signs can include:

- Persistent, irregular or absence of oestrus (seasons)
- Difficulty in breeding and getting into foal
- Behavioural changes such as displaying stallion-like behavior (mounting, aggression, striking and squealing)

These changes are due to an increase in the excretion of specific reproductive hormones by the tumour such as testosterone, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin. A GCT can be found in mares at any age but the average age is 11 years and the reason they develop these tumours is unknown.

Ovariectomy, or surgical removal of the affected o***y, is the treatment of choice for these cases so our specialist surgeon Bryan came to us to remove the tumour laparoscopically (using a camera and specialized equipment). The surgery was performed standing in our stocks at our Galley Hill clinic under sedation and all went very well.

Following surgery, the normal o***y should resume normal reproductive function which can take 6-8months and luckily for this lovely mare, she healed really well thanks to her doting owner and is now back in ridden work.

If you have concerns about your mare and changes in her behavior, please feel free to contact us! 🐴

Thank you to the owner for letting us share her story ☺️

14/06/2023

We absolutely love receiving updates from clients! A wonderful client sent us this picture of their newest addition and we thought it was way too cute to not share it… look at those ears! 🥰

23/05/2023

*RIDE LONDON 28th MAY*

Just to make clients aware, there will be many road closures in our area this Sunday (28th May) due to Ride London. We are available for emergencies however there may be a slight delay in the vet arriving should you need us due to the route going straight through the area we cover which means many of the main roads we use to access yards will be closed. We will of course try our best to avoid a delay in the vets arrival but just please be aware.

If you are planning on a fun bank holiday trip out with your horse, make sure you plan your journey ahead of time! 🐎

https://mc-04a1be25-8972-4318-8794-517700-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/files/ridelondon/road-closure-leaflets/2023/frl-2023-road-closures-ess*x-v2.pdf?rev=a484f8d22e5243f4b9aa796e8c89b7db

21/04/2023

🌱Sycamore Poisoning🌱

Unfortunately, we have recently had cases of sycamore poisoning so please be vigilant and check your fields for ‘helicopter’ seeds and sycamore seedlings. The seeds contain a toxin that stops or slows energy production in muscle cells which can affect the heart and the muscles which enable the horse to stand and breath.

If you notice any of the signs below please call us:
- Muscle weakness
- Struggling to walk and stand
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy/fatigue
- Muscle trembling
- Dark urine
- Colic symptoms (sweating etc)
- Dullness

Just as little as 20g (50 seedlings) is enough to be fatal and survival rate is around 30-40% so please be vigilant!

Any questions then please contact us! 🐴

17/02/2023

Spring Castration Offer!

With the fields beginning to open again soon, this means our spring castrate offer is back for the whole month of March! Just in time for your youngsters go out and enjoy the summer!

Please call us on 01992 762 185 or email us at [email protected]

14/02/2023

Our phones are down again!

Please call us on 07879421850 if you need to contact us!

We are so sorry for the inconvenience!

13/02/2023

We are having issues with our phone lines - please call us on 07879421850 if you need to contact us. Sorry for the inconvenience!

02/02/2023

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SSC)

This beautiful boy, Flash, was admitted to us back in 2021 when his very caring owner noticed a strange cauliflower structure on his left eye. After sending some images to our specialist surgeon Peter Clements Clements Equine Surgery, it was decided the eye needed to be removed (enucleation) as he was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. SSC is a form of skin cancer that frequently occurs in lightly pigmented/non pigmented horse breeds such as appaloosas.

The eyelids, conjunctivae, third eyelid and edges of the cornea can be affected as well as other parts of the body. Also in most cases only one eye is involved, which was the case with Flash.

Thankfully for Flash, he recovered very well and adapted very quickly to his new way of life - he even qualified for Hickstead last year!!

Thank you to his very caring owner for letting us share his photos 😄

19/12/2022

☃️ Christmas and New Year Opening Hours ☃️

We would like to wish all our wonderful clients and their furry friends a lovely Christmas and New Year.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2023! 🍾

19/12/2022

🎅❄️ Christmas & New Year Opening times 🎅❄️

We would like to wish all our wonderful clients and their furry friends a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year!

We look forward to seeing you all in 2023!

12/12/2022

❄️ATTENTION ❄️

Due to the snow and difficulty accessing the practice, our office will be closed for the day but our staff are on hand working remotely from home and Fernando is on call today for all emergencies as he is equipped with a 4x4.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused! If you have any concerns or questions then please contact us via phone, email or DM us!

Below is Charlie, owned by our Equine Nurse Marissa, enjoying the snow this morning ☃️

24/11/2022

Dear all clients,

Our office will be closed from 1.30pm on Friday 25th November for our staff Christmas Party 🎉

Incase of an emergency, please call us on our normal contact number 01992 762 185.

We apologise for any inconvenience but we appreciate your cooperation!

Kindest regards,
Galley Hill Equine Team

14/11/2022

MELANOMAS IN HORSES

Melanoma is a common skin growth of grey horses and typically appears between 4 to 8 years of age however some breeds such as Arabians, Lippizanners, Andalusians and Percherons are also predisposed. They look like black or grey pigmented skin nodules, single or in clusters. The most frequent locations are the tail, around the a**s, lips and eyelids but they can occur internally in areas including the heart, lungs and intestines. Melanoma may have little effect on an individual organ until it reaches a size that interferes with the function of that organ, however in some sites such as the eye and the spinal cord, even small tumours can have a devastating effect.

WHAT CAUSES MELANOMAS?
In humans, melanomas are associated with exposure to sunshine and increased risk of sunburn but in horses it is a change in genetic structure of the cells which triggers an expanding clone of abnormal cells. A single gene mutation (aka “The grey gene”) inherited by all grey horses regulates the coat colour and the susceptibility to develop melanomas. Although melanomas are variable in shape, behavior and broadly considered benign, early melanomas should be considered precancerous with potential to grow and develop malignancy so if you have any concerns then always speak to your vet.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR HORSE HAS MELANOMAS?
Owners of grey horses older than 3 years with melanomas should monitor at least every 12 months for the number of masses, size and location. Some melanoma lesions may not alter for many years but it is worth keeping an eye on them.
Grade 1 and 2 tumors which are defined as: single nodules of 0.5 cm, multiple nodules of 0.5 cm and/or single nodules of 2cm at typical locations should be removed surgically (yearly).

TREATMENT
It is now widely recommended that small growths should be surgically removed as early as possible when their location allows and before they enlarge sufficiently to cause problems. This prevents the problems associated with larger tumours and removes the risk of the tumours becoming malignant at a later date.
Removing a small single growth is typically far less complicated and results in better healing than when dealing with a larger cluster of melanomas

Below are some before and after photos of lovely Storm who had multiple melanomas removed under his tail with our surgeon Bryan at our surgery in the beginning of summer, and look how well they have healed all thanks to his wonderful new owners and their meticulous care!

Grey horses with uncomplicated skin melanomas have very good prognosis following surgery.

11/11/2022

Don’t forget! We do a vaccination and dental combo offer when both procedures are carried out at the same time!

Please call or email us to book! 🐴

21/09/2022

🍂 OCTOBER CASTRATION OFFER!🍂

Our very popular castrate offer is back! Please contact us either by phone, email or directly on our social media to book your slot now! 🐴

21/09/2022

🍂 OCTOBER CASTRATE OFFER 🍂

This offer is valid throughout the month of October 2022

Please contact us to book your place! 🐴

15/07/2022

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)💉

What is PRP?

PRP therapy is a very simple but effective procedure. It utilizes your horses own blood to jump start the healing process.

PRP therapy is effective because the injection contains concentrated amounts of growth factors and other proteins found in the blood’s platelets and plasma. Growth factors are what the body uses to heal damaged soft tissue and bone injuries as well as wounds. Growth factors, in concentrated amounts, can be especially helpful in areas of the body where blood flow is minimal. The less blood that flows through an area, the slower the injury will heal.

It is a safe and natural way for the body to accelerate the healing process, rather than blocking or masking their pain.

How does it work?

A sample of blood is taken from the horse, and processed using specialized equipment to increase the number of platelets and growth factors it contains. This is done by placing the blood sample taken in a centrifuge housed at our Galley Hill Equine Surgery premise. Then separated again using another piece of equipment to obtain our PRP sample. The PRP sample can be ready to inject into the horse within 15-30 minutes after taking the blood sample.

The patient will normally be sedated and the injured area to be injected will be numbed with local anaesthetic. The damaged area is visualised using an ultrasound scanner. A needle is then inserted into the injured site, using the scanner, to help guide the needle and to confirm correct placement at the site. The PRP is then injected under sterile conditions.

When is PRP used?
Degenerative Joint Disease
Sacroiliac
Ligament injuries
Tendon Injuries
Stifle meniscus tears
Damaged Cartilage
Non-Healing Wounds
Periostitis
Stress Fractures
Corneal Ulcers

What is the recovery expectations?

Most patients find themselves back in their daily routine the day after the procedure. Healing gradually happens over the course of 2-6 weeks and can continue for up to 12+ months.

Initially after the injections, we ask owners to monitor for swelling, discharge or excessive lameness.

Complications?

Complications are rare with PRP therapy. This is because the therapy involves the use of a horse’s own body fluids. There is a very small risk that the site of the injection could become infected but that risk is the same whenever a horse receives a shot.

PRP vs Stem Cells?

The difference between PRP and Stem Cell therapy has been described metaphorically as the difference between fertilizing your garden, and seeding & fertilizing your garden. One factor is efficacy and the other is the duration of the healing process. High grade PRP has been shown to be highly effective for many conditions. It is generally less invasive, and has a lower cost than Stem Cell. PRP’s continued healing potential can progress for 6 to 12 months, and sometimes that’s all you need.

Stem Cell therapy contains all the beneficial growth factors of PRP, but has a higher potential to heal via differentiation and MSC recruitment. Stem Cell therapy usually has a higher cost, because it is more invasive and time consuming. Studies have shown Stem Cell’s healing potential can have a 12 to 18 month duration.

Using PRP alongside our K-Laser, we have seen brilliant recoveries so please get in touch if this is something you are interested in.

27/05/2022

Please join us for a 'Blessings of the Animals Service' to be held Saturday 11th June at our small animal branch in North Chingford, VetCall Veterinary Surgery.

All furry friends are welcome 😀

“Blessing of the Animals Service” VETCall Veterinary Surgery Saturday 11 June 2022 at 10am, a short special service of thanks and blessing for the furry and non-furry animals in our lives.
Everyone welcome all creatures great and small! Please keep all animals on a lead, in a carrier or bring a picture of your pet for the blessing. Please invite your friends and their pets.
After the blessing, please form a pet parade for a walk to join the Chingford Village Festival on The Green.

24/05/2022

Good Morning,
We are updating client records, so please email us with any changes to your contact details. If you have moved yards please update where you horse is stables or even to add new horses to your account.
Many thanks
The Galley Hill Equine Team
[email protected]

10/05/2022

After such a heartbreaking few days for one of our very special clients… the power of social media meant their beautiful mare could go on to save this sweet little foal 🐴🍼

Seeing this picture of the two of them together makes us so happy!

02/03/2022

Good Morning

We are updating client records, so please email us with any changes to your contact details, or to add new horses to your account.

Many thanks
The Galley Hill Equine Team
[email protected]