VetEquine Otago

11/04/2024

Great catching up with these 2 today. Every horse needs a Charlie Munro.

22/12/2023

The clinic will be closed from the 23rd December until Wednesday 27th December. We will be available for emergencies only.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas.

18/12/2023

Happy 25th Birthday to our very own Peter Gillespie

13/11/2023

Congratulations to Heather Sadler who won our winter dental competition and received an equine first aid kit. Thanks to everyone who entered.

16/10/2023

Such a great time of the year. Love receiving photo's like these from clients.

01/08/2023

The Otago Equine Hospital is repeating its winter dental offer.
Be in to win an Equine First-Aid Kit worth $350.
Every horse that has a dental examination between the 1st April and the 30th September 2023 will be automatically entered into the draw.

We have set our price at $132.25 (incl GST) which includes our farm visit fee, sedation, a full dental examination with mouth speculum and illumination, followed by floating of enamel points and bit seating (there may be an additional charge for sedation-top-ups, depending on the amount required). The price does not include malocclusion treatment or extractions.
Our price does not cover travel charges which obviously can be greatly reduced if group bookings are arranged.

Call us on 03 489 8516 to discuss your requirements or to book an appointment.

09/06/2023

“When you walk up to a horse with an idea in your mind, remember that it’s your idea, not the horse’s”……………………….so said Master Farrier, Dave Duckett.
Last month, the Otago Equine Hospital was privileged to host Dave for an ‘in-house workshop’ attended by our resident farrier team of Trevor Sutherland, Daniel Miller and Blythe Cruickshank.
Students of equine podiatry will be familiar with the term “Ducketts Dot”. A quick Google perusal best explains the term. “A simple rule of thumb called “Duckett’s Dot,” helps farriers locate the internal structures of a hoof without the use of X-rays. Shared first at the 1988 American Farrier’s Association Conference, Duckett’s Dot remains the most comprehensive, easy-to-follow system for evaluating the balance of the foot, something every horse owner should understand”.
Dave is amongst the most accomplished and acclaimed farriers and equine podiatry educators. A fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (FWCF) founded in 1356, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of London for his prodigious contribution to the welfare of the horse. He is a member of the International Farriers Hall of Fame, in recognition of his original research into biomechanics of the equine foot.
Dave has competed in, and won many shoeing competitions, including the Calgary Stampede’s World Championship Blacksmiths Competition on two occasions.
Originally from England he has lived in Pennsylvania (USA) for the last 30 years.
Dave was invited to the 2023 Wanaka A&P Show to judge the inaugural Farrier/Blacksmith Competition, organised by accomplished Canterbury farrier, Gareth Griffiths and our valued colleague (and sage), Trevor Sutherland.
The competition was held over two days and included teams from New Zealand and Australia. The event was close and competitive with the Australian team of Stephen Riggs, Kane Green and Adam Tye, judged the overall winners.
It was an honour to host Dave for the two day workshop. In between the making of shoes and the sharing of knowledge, there were many humorous career moments relived.
Thank you Dave …………and a special thank you from our staff for their T Shirts.
Knowledge is for Sharing.

06/06/2023

If ever a win was deserved.

Congratulations to one of our lovely trainers Dennis O'Connell. Having had a few health issues with his horses, Dennis had a terrific win at Invercargill on the weekend with Aveross Majesty.

02/06/2023

Photos from our 2023 Otago Equine Hospital Vet Farrier Workshop.

A diverse group of vets, farriers, physiotherapists and trimmers, some travelling considerable distances, attended our two day event.
The aim of the workshop was to give participants the opportunity to apply remedial techniques for foot pathologies they may not see in their everyday work.
Foot conditions covered included;
- Keratomas
- Naviculoid Syndrome
- Hoof Wall Avulsions
- Angular Limb Deviations.
- Acute & Chronic Laminitis
- White Line Disease
- Pedal Bone Fractures
- Foreign Body Pe*******on
Time was also spent on gait analysis in relation to corrective trimming and shoeing applications. Radiographic evaluation of the foot to best manage foot mechanics was also demonstrated.
It was pleasing to watch the exchange of ideas amongst the attendees. As the saying goes………….”knowledge is for sharing”.

26/05/2023

An equine welfare charity that promotes and protects the welfare and wellbeing of NZ's sport horses.

25/05/2023

The more we use our new gastroscope, the more we realise it was worth the investment.

Dr Kim has become a ‘dab’ hand in guiding the scope around the stomach wall, through the puddle of gastric fluid into the pyloric area and ultimately, the upper duodenum (small intestine).
If only we had this technology back in the day!

If you think your horse may be affected by Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, give the clinic a call to talk with Angela or Kim.

22/05/2023

15/03/2023

"Can I help you?"
Meet our new office assistant.

25/12/2022

Feeding our hospital patients on Christmas Day.
There are many equine veterinary nurses dedicated to their profession but none more so than our Angela Wilson.

09/11/2022

We are pleased to announce the three winners of our recent Dental Promotion, each of whom will receive one of our Equine First Aid Kits.
The promotion ran from January to September, with over 450 horses giving their owners the opportunity to win.
Congratulations to Gary Fentiman, Kyla & Imogen Mullen and Nicole Malcolm.

18/10/2022

𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀

Spooky horse? Twitchy, sensitive or uncoordinated? Or maybe a little anxious all of a sudden? Your horse may have Grass Staggers. The condition can occur with varying degrees of severity, from horses being more sensitive to noise than usual, to muscle twitches and trembling, and rarely severe illness depending on the toxin load. The condition is more likely to occur in late summer and autumn, but can happen any time the weather causes grass flushes. It is most likely to affect horses and ponies on pasture, or even the wee mini lawn-mower who nibbles on your garden plants.

Perennial rye-grass (‘dairy grass’) is the main culprit for causing Grass Staggers in New Zealand horses, due to the presence of the mycotoxin lolitrem B in the grass. Toxins are present in other types of grass, shrubs, and ornamental plants, found mostly in the leaf and flower heads.
Medical and/or dietary management are usually necessary in these cases. This includes feeding a toxin binder to help eliminate toxins from the horse’s gut. We can advise you on management and supply a proven high-quality toxin binder.

If you suspect your horse or pony may have Grass Staggers, contact us for advice on 03 489 8516.

11/10/2022

We love this time of year. Looking at these photos you can understand why.
Well done Ingri and Demi.

05/10/2022

Because staff are still unable to get to the clinic we will be closed for the day. If you have an emergency please call Rebecca Shepherd: 027 242 5949.

05/10/2022

Due to weather conditions the clinic is closed this morning. If you have an emergency please call Rebecca Shepherd: 027 242 5949. We will post an update at 10.30.
Stay warm.

04/09/2022

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆.

We are pleased to announce that the Otago Equine Hospital has purchased a 3.0 metre gastroscope that is proving to be a game changer for patients we suspect are affected by Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (GUS).

Since acquiring the scope, we’ve been regularly examining and treating individual cases. We’ve now decided to run scheduled gastroscopy days; Tuesday 13th September will be the first of these, run in conjunction with Randlab NZ. There are limited places available so call the clinic to reserve a place for your horse.

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘂𝗹𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Is there something up with your horse that you can’t quite put your finger on? Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, or ‘stomach ulcers’, is a common condition that often goes undiagnosed in horses due to the symptoms being non-specific and easily attributed to other body systems.

The non-specificity of the symptoms makes it difficult to confirm a diagnosis without actually visualising the stomach lining. Our 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

The physical distance from a horse’s mouth to its stomach makes it impossible to confirm the presence of gastric ulcers using a standard 1.8-metre endoscope. In late 2021, our practice purchased a 3.0 metre gastroscope, giving us the ability to visualise not only the stomach lining, but also the upper part of the small intestine (Duodenum). Duodenal ulcers are often found in GUS horses.

Our gastroscope is more than proving its worth in cases involving unexplained weight loss and/or poor performance. Importantly, it’s giving owners the confidence to persevere with appropriately targeted ulcer medication.

Ask yourself these questions about your horse;

• Is there an unexplained reduction in athletic performance?
• Is he/she losing weight with no change in diet or exercise levels?
• Has there been a behaviour or attitude change; are they suddenly more ‘girthy’ or grumpy to handle?
• Has their appetite changed?
• Have they occasionally displayed mild colic symptoms?
• Is their coat dull or rough, despite a good diet?
• Are you seeing strange behaviours around feed times; ears back, pawing or stamping?

If you have answered “yes” to any of these, or even if your horse has other non-specific symptoms, it’s worth discussing these with us. It may be that your horse has pain and inflammation resulting from gastric ulceration.

We hope to make our gastroscopy days a regular occurrence. Horse’s need to be starved for 16 hours prior to the procedure so may have to be admitted to our hospital the day before examination.

Our usual fee for an individual gastroscopy examination is $385.00 plus GST. For our inaugural gastroscopy day, we are reducing the price to $320 plus GST. In addition, if a gastroscopy-day patient requires medication, we are offering Omeprazole paste or granules at a reduced price.

Dr Rebecca Shepherd is in charge of our gastroscopy programme; call our office on 03 489 8516 to discuss whether a gastroscopy examination might be appropriate for your horse.

The photo on the left shows a grade 2 gastric ulcer lesion while the photo on the right shows normal gastric lining. Note the redness and thickening of the stomach lining on the left compared to the smooth and pale mucosa in the healthy wall. (Photo courtesy of Randlab)

16/08/2022

VETERINARY STABLEHAND FULL TIME POSITION
We are seeking a fit and able person who is confident around horses, to join our experienced veterinary team.
While the position largely involves the day-to-day management of hospital patients, the successful applicant will be required to assist our veterinarians with a variety of procedures.
The opportunity to pursue more advanced career options, whether they be veterinary nursing (NZ Diploma in Veterinary Nursing) or animal technology (NZ Certificate in Animal Technology) will be encouraged.
The successful applicant should possess the following attributes;
- A satisfactory academic record.
- Confidence in handling horses.
- Well organised with a good work ethic.
- The ability to follow instructions and show initiative when working unsupervised.
- Good communication skills in both oral and written formats.
Expressions of interest should be emailed to [email protected]
Applications close on the 26th August 2022.

07/08/2022

AEINM - ANZ
ANIMAL EMERGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT NETWORK – AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND

I was invited recently to speak on behalf of the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust (NZHAT), at the inaugural ANIMAL EMERGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT NETWORK – AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND (AEINM-ANZ) Stakeholder Forum held at the University of Melbourne. I thought the forum’s title alone was impressive, so happily accepted the invitation.
Our achievements in establishing a New Zealand-wide horse ambulance fleet had not gone unnoticed by our Australian colleagues, hence the invitation to share our story.
The forum was open to those involved in the oversight and delivery of animal emergency services throughout Australia and New Zealand; in other words, first-responders, veterinarians, administrators, educators and representatives from farming, government and animal welfare organisations.
It was a privilege to be part of the weekend. The presentations were largely from first responders and veterinarians working at the ‘coal face’ so to speak; men and women with multiple animal rescues under their belt, sharing their knowledge and experiences.
I came away thinking of how we could grow such a network in New Zealand, starting with identifying the organisations already active in the field and then looking at ways of integrating them into a nationwide emergency response network.
Already my discussions with fellow NZHAT trustees, MPI colleagues, Massey University and FENZ large animal rescue coordinators, suggest establishing such a network is indeed possible.
There are currently two fire brigades in New Zealand with the specialised equipment necessary for large animal rescue operations. Kumeu and Silverdale, just north of Auckland, are two of the most densely populated equestrian areas in New Zealand.
Massey University, under the guidance of Professor Chris Riley, has an established Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT) servicing the Manawatu and Whanganui regions.
As far as the rest of New Zealand goes, there are no organisations trained and equipped to attend large animal rescues. Nothing at all in the South Island.
Each year, FENZ attend around 60 large animal rescues, mostly involving horses. Talking with colleagues, we estimate that veterinarians attend roughly three times that number, without the assistance of Fire and Emergency crews. Invariably, rescues are attempted without specialised equipment, making a successful outcome harder to achieve.
So, here’s the challenge;
1. To build a New Zealand wide inter-agency network, capable of responding quickly and effectively to emergencies involving horses and farm animals.
2. To equip the appropriate agencies with the bespoke rescue equipment, thereby improving chances of successful outcomes.
3. Develop a nationwide Large Animal Rescue Training programme for first responders, veterinarians, veterinary students and technicians, farming, transport and animal welfare organisations.
4. Establish regional registers of veterinarians and trained personnel whose assistance could be immediately sought to assist at emergency incidents.
Hopefully we can make some progress over the next 12 to 24 months. If we could build a national ambulance service from scratch in the space of six years, a national large animal rescue network shouldn’t be too difficult.

01/08/2022

To all our valued clients.
We wanted to let you know that we are currently one vet short as the boss has been injured. We are doing our upmost to cover appointments but unfortunately, there may be delays on occasions. As always, we will continue to give priority to urgent calls.
Please be patient; with your help we’ll get there.

Thank you for your understanding.

13/07/2022

Congratulations to two of our good clients, Imogen and her mother Kyla. Coco and Jasper are two well cared for donkeys.
It is satisfying to see young people so passionate about the welfare of their animals.

Spending two hours honing her skills every day has gained a 12-year-old Dunedin girl national recognition in a little-known field. Imogen Leaper...

14/06/2022

Thanks to the generosity of the NZ Equine Veterinary Association, each horse ambulance has a Kimzey splint on board if needed.

A Kimzey splint aligns the pastern, coffin and navicular bones for stabilization and immediate pressure relief on an injured area, so the horse is standing on its tip toe but can walk, even in cases where a tendon or ligament is injured.

The brace allows a horse to be walked on to the horse ambulance and taken for further evaluation at an equine vet.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association

14/06/2022

The Best Equine Dental Promotion South of the Waitaki.
The Otago Equine Hospital are offering not only the most comprehensive equine dental service in Otago, but also the chance to win one of three Equine First-Aid Kits worth $250 each.
Every horse that has an OEH dental examination between the 1st January and the 16th September 2022 will be automatically entered into the draw. This includes those horses who have already had dental examinations thus far in 2022.
We have set our price at $125.00 (incl GST) which includes our farm visit fee, sedation, a full dental examination with mouth speculum and illumination, followed by floating of enamel points and bit seating (there may be an additional charge for sedation-top-ups, depending on the amount required). Sheath cleaning for geldings is also included.
For an additional $20.00 - $25.00 (incl GST) we can worm your horse (actual price dependent on size of horse).
This represents outstanding value compared to other equine dental service providers in our region.
If corrective rasping procedures or wolf tooth extractions are required, these will be discussed with owners at the time.
Our price does not cover travel charges, which obviously can be greatly reduced if group bookings are arranged.
To be able to offer a great deal like this to both our existing and new clients, we require payment on the day, by cash or overnight bank transfer. We do not offer credit on a deal like this.
Call us on 03 489 8516 to discuss your horse’s requirements or to book an appointment.
Our Equine First Aid Kit is like no other on the market; it’s not crammed full of one company’s products; it’s been put together by veterinarians who are well versed in practical solutions for emergency situations.
Here’s the list of what it contains;
Digital Re**al Thermometer (1)
Stethoscope (1)
Hand Sanitiser 500ml (1)
Plastic Bucket 4 Litre (1)
Stainless Steel Bowl (1)
Plastic Jug 1 Litre (1)
60ml Irrigation Syringe (1)
60ml Oral Dose Syringe (1)
18G Blunt-tip Irrigation Needles (10)
1000ml Distilled Water (1)
500ml Betadine Solution (1)
500ml Chlorhexidine Solution (1)
Melonin Dressings 10 x 10 (3)
Melonin Dressings 10 x 20 (3)
Paranet Gauze Dressings 10 x 10 (10)
Soffban Bandages 10cm (3)
Cohesive Bandages 10cm (3)
Tensoplast Adhesive Bandages 7cm (3)
Duct Tape (1)
Gamgee 30cm Roll (1)
Gamgee 45cm Roll (1)
Bandage Scissors (1)
Haemostats (1)
Cotton Wool (Roll 1)
Disposable Nappies (3)
Charcoal Wound Powder (1)
Magnesium Sulphate 750gm (1)
Sugar(dine) 750gm (1)
Flamazine Ointment 125gm (1)
White Petroleum Jelly 250g (1)
Hydrogel Wound Gel (1)
Cotton Application Pads (30)
Prescription Drug Storage Box (1)
Latex Free Examination Gloves (20)
The draw for our Equine First Aid Kits will take place on Friday 30th September 2022

24/05/2022

The Best Equine Dental Promotion South of the Waitaki.

The Otago Equine Hospital are offering not only the most comprehensive equine dental service in Otago, but also the chance to win one of three Equine First-Aid Kits worth $250 each.
Every horse that has an OEH dental examination between the 1st January and the 16th September 2022 will be automatically entered into the draw. This includes those horses who have already had dental examinations thus far in 2022.
We have set our price at $125.00 (incl GST) which includes our farm visit fee, sedation, a full dental examination with mouth speculum and illumination, followed by floating of enamel points and bit seating (there may be an additional charge for sedation-top-ups, depending on the amount required). Sheath cleaning for geldings is also included.
For an additional $20.00 - $25.00 (incl GST) we can worm your horse (actual price dependent on size of horse).
This represents outstanding value compared to other equine dental service providers in our region.
If corrective rasping procedures or wolf tooth extractions are required, these will be discussed with owners at the time.
Our price does not cover travel charges, which obviously can be greatly reduced if group bookings are arranged.
To be able to offer a great deal like this to both our existing and new clients, we require payment on the day, by cash or overnight bank transfer. We do not offer credit on a deal like this.

Call us on 03 489 8516 to discuss your horse’s requirements or to book an appointment.
Our Equine First Aid Kit is like no other on the market; it’s not crammed full of one company’s products; it’s been put together by veterinarians who are well versed in practical solutions for emergency situations.
Here’s the list of what it contains;
Digital Re**al Thermometer (1)
Stethoscope (1)
Hand Sanitiser 500ml (1)
Plastic Bucket 4 Litre (1)
Stainless Steel Bowl (1)
Plastic Jug 1 Litre (1)
60ml Irrigation Syringe (1)
60ml Oral Dose Syringe (1)
18G Blunt-tip Irrigation Needles (10)
1000ml Distilled Water (1)
500ml Betadine Solution (1)
500ml Chlorhexidine Solution (1)
Melonin Dressings 10 x 10 (3)
Melonin Dressings 10 x 20 (3)
Paranet Gauze Dressings 10 x 10 (10)
Soffban Bandages 10cm (3)
Cohesive Bandages 10cm (3)
Tensoplast Adhesive Bandages 7cm (3)
Duct Tape (1)
Gamgee 30cm Roll (1)
Gamgee 45cm Roll (1)
Bandage Scissors (1)
Haemostats (1)
Cotton Wool (Roll 1)
Disposable Nappies (3)
Charcoal Wound Powder (1)
Magnesium Sulphate 750gm (1)
Sugar(dine) 750gm (1)
Flamazine Ointment 125gm (1)
White Petroleum Jelly 250g (1)
Hydrogel Wound Gel (1)
Cotton Application Pads (30)
Prescription Drug Storage Box (1)
Latex Free Examination Gloves (20)

The draw for our Equine First Aid Kits will take place on Friday 30th September 2022