Equine Clinic of the University of Pretoria at Onderstepoort

Equine Clinic of the University of Pretoria at Onderstepoort Welcome on the page of the Equine Clinic of the University of Pretoria.

🔍 Mystery Solved: Rope Knot Causes Colic in Donkey 🫏This donkey presented with intermittent colic and severe abdominal d...
13/02/2025

🔍 Mystery Solved: Rope Knot Causes Colic in Donkey 🫏

This donkey presented with intermittent colic and severe abdominal distention over several days. Despite partial response to medical management, symptoms recurred whenever food was reintroduced. Due to the donkey’s small size, a re**al examination was not possible, leading our team to perform an exploratory laparotomy.

📸 In this photo series:
1️⃣ The surgical team performing the exploratory laparotomy.
2️⃣ A hard mass discovered in the lumen of the small colon.
3️⃣ The culprit—a knot of rope—removed via enterotomy.

This unusual foreign body was causing a blockage, leading to the recurring colic episodes. The rest of the abdominal exploration was unremarkable, and the donkey recovered well from anesthesia.

He is now recuperating in hospital under the watchful care of our medicine team, and we are hopeful for a full recovery! 💙

✨ Case Spotlight: Laparoscopic Ovariectomy for a Granulosa Cell Tumor ✨This mare presented with a large granulosa cell t...
10/02/2025

✨ Case Spotlight: Laparoscopic Ovariectomy for a Granulosa Cell Tumor ✨

This mare presented with a large granulosa cell tumor (27x22x17 cm, weighing nearly 10 kg), requiring a laparoscopic ovariectomy for treatment. These tumors are the most common type of ovarian tumor in mares and can cause significant hormonal and behavioral changes.

📸 In this photo series:
1️⃣ A final-year veterinary student holding the removed o***y post-surgery.
2️⃣ Standing laparoscopy being performed with the mare under sedation and local anesthesia.
3️⃣ The ovarian pedicle being ligated, first with suture material and then sealed using the Ligasure vessel sealing device for precision and efficiency.

🚨 Diagnosis & Clinical Signs:
Granulosa cell tumors are often diagnosed through:
• Re**al palpation and ultrasound (revealing a large, often cystic o***y).
• Hormonal testing, including elevated anti-Müllerian hormone levels.

Clinical signs may include:
• Persistent or irregular estrus behavior (mareishness or aggression).
• Anestrus (failure to cycle).
• Stallion-like behavior due to excess testosterone production.

🛠️ Treatment:
Surgical removal of the affected o***y is the treatment of choice. Standing laparoscopy offers a minimally invasive approach, reducing recovery time and postoperative complications compared to traditional open surgery.

💡 Prognosis:
Excellent! Most mares return to normal hormonal cycles and behavior within a few months of surgery. Fertility in the unaffected o***y is typically preserved, and the mare can go on to have a productive career.

A huge congratulations to the surgical team and students for successfully managing this case! 💙

🌾 Spotlight on Sand Colic 🐴Sand colic is a common condition in horses grazing or eating off sandy or dry, dusty ground. ...
07/02/2025

🌾 Spotlight on Sand Colic 🐴

Sand colic is a common condition in horses grazing or eating off sandy or dry, dusty ground. This recent case highlights the serious impact of sand accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract—but thanks to the swift intervention of our medicine team, the patient is recuperating well! 💙

📸 In this photo: A radiograph revealing sand trapped in the colon folds in the ventral abdomen.

🚨 Signs of Sand Colic:
• Diarrhea or loose stool
• Fever and other signs of colitis (e.g., lethargy, dehydration)
• Abdominal discomfort (rolling, pawing, lying down)
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss or poor condition

🛠️ Treatment:
• Oral administration of psyllium husk to bind and remove sand
• Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce gut inflammation
• IV fluids for hydration and support
• In severe cases, surgery may be required to evacuate large amounts of sand from the colon and prevent further damage.

🛑 Prevention Tips:
• Feed hay in raised feeders or on mats to reduce sand ingestion.
• Regularly monitor your horse with simple sand tests.
• Provide psyllium supplements periodically to prevent accumulation.

Sand colic can be life-threatening if left untreated, but early diagnosis and intervention make all the difference!

🦶 Managing Laminitis with Therapeutic Shoeing 🐴Laminitis is a painful and debilitating condition requiring a multifacete...
05/02/2025

🦶 Managing Laminitis with Therapeutic Shoeing 🐴

Laminitis is a painful and debilitating condition requiring a multifaceted approach, including specialized shoeing to support the hoof and redistribute pressure. In this case, we used two different shoeing techniques to aid in the horse’s recovery.

📸 Featured in this post:
1️⃣ Wooden clog – Provides a broad, supportive base to reduce pressure on the compromised laminar structures. It also shifts the break over back, reducing pull on the deep digital flexor tendon.
2️⃣ Reverse shoe with solar support over the frog – Shifts weight off the toe and encourages proper load distribution.

A huge thank you to Mark Trethewey for traveling all this way to shoe this patient and help us provide the best care possible! 💙

🔬 Mystery Tumor in a Colic Case – Can You Guess the Diagnosis? 🐴During an exploratory laparotomy for colic, our surgical...
03/02/2025

🔬 Mystery Tumor in a Colic Case – Can You Guess the Diagnosis? 🐴

During an exploratory laparotomy for colic, our surgical team discovered this tumor on the mesentery of the small colon. Masses like these can contribute to colic by causing obstruction, strangulation, or impaired gut motility.

❓ What do you think this tumor is? Drop your guesses in the comments! ⬇️

💡 Common Differentials for Mesenteric Tumors in Horses:
🔹 Lipoma – The most common, these fatty tumors can wrap around intestines, causing strangulating colic.
🔹 Lymphoma – A malignant cancer affecting lymphoid tissues.
🔹 Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) – A rare but possible mesenchymal tumor.
🔹 Mesothelioma – A tumor of the peritoneal lining, occasionally found in horses.

Final diagnosis pending histopathology—stay tuned for the results! A big shoutout to our surgery team for their expertise in managing challenging colic cases. 💙

🔬 Multiple Limb Arthroscopy: Treating OCD in All Four Limbs 🐴This athletic horse underwent arthroscopic surgery on all f...
30/01/2025

🔬 Multiple Limb Arthroscopy: Treating OCD in All Four Limbs 🐴

This athletic horse underwent arthroscopic surgery on all four limbs to remove osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) fragments—a procedure aimed at preventing long-term joint damage and optimizing performance.

🚨 What is OCD?
OCD is a developmental joint disease where abnormal cartilage formation leads to loose fragments within the joint. It’s common in young, growing horses and can cause:
• Joint swelling (effusion)
• Lameness or stiffness
• Decreased performance

🛠️ Treatment & Prognosis:
• Arthroscopic removal is the gold standard, allowing minimal tissue trauma and faster recovery.
• Horses typically return to full athletic function with appropriate rehabilitation.

This horse is already on the road to recovery, and we’re excited to see it back in action soon! A big well done to the surgical team for their precision and care. 💙

🩺 Septic Tenosynovitis 🐴In this case, our surgery team performed a tenoscopy to remove a suspected foreign body (likely ...
15/01/2025

🩺 Septic Tenosynovitis 🐴

In this case, our surgery team performed a tenoscopy to remove a suspected foreign body (likely a splinter or wood) from the digital flexor tendon sheath of a mare. This mare presented with 4/5 lameness (AAEP scale) and was diagnosed with septic tenosynovitis, a serious and painful condition requiring urgent intervention.

Through tenoscopy—a minimally invasive procedure—we successfully located and removed the foreign body, flushing the tendon sheath thoroughly to reduce infection and inflammation. This precision procedure gives horses the best chance at recovery while minimizing tissue damage.

We’re hopeful this mare will be back on her feet soon and thank the entire team for their dedication to ensuring her care. 💙

✨ Shining a Light on Lameness: Hindlimb Scintigraphy in Action ✨In these photos, we’re showcasing a hindlimb scintigraph...
13/01/2025

✨ Shining a Light on Lameness: Hindlimb Scintigraphy in Action ✨

In these photos, we’re showcasing a hindlimb scintigraphy study, featuring our incredible imaging sister Bev Olivier and final-year veterinary students. This advanced imaging technique helps pinpoint areas of abnormal bone activity, making it invaluable in cases of chronic, non-specific or subtle lameness. 🐴🔍

Scintigraphy is particularly useful for identifying issues that might not show up on standard X-rays or ultrasounds, giving us a clearer picture of what’s going on beneath the surface. This allows for more targeted treatment and better outcomes for our equine patients. 💙

📍 Did you know? Onderstepoort Equine Clinic is the only facility in South Africa currently performing scintigraphy.

🌟 Welcome to the Team, Dr. Kirsten Steyn! 🌟We’re thrilled to introduce one of our new equine interns, Dr. Kirsten Steyn!...
10/01/2025

🌟 Welcome to the Team, Dr. Kirsten Steyn! 🌟

We’re thrilled to introduce one of our new equine interns, Dr. Kirsten Steyn! 🐴✨ Originally from Johannesburg, Kirsten completed her CCS year in Middelburg, Eastern Cape. Her passion for horses—both in the saddle and in the clinic—has brought her to OP Equine. 💪

Kirsten joined the internship to gain hands-on experience with a wide variety of equine cases, from surgery to medicine, and we’re excited to watch her grow in her new role. 💙

In the photos you can see that no time is wasted and she’s already gaining hands on experience in her first week. 🎢

Stay tuned as we introduce our other intern, Dr. Chantelle Steyn, next!

🌟 Welcome to the Team, Dr. Chantelle Steyn! 🌟We’re excited to introduce our second new intern, Dr. Chantelle Steyn! 🐴✨ O...
10/01/2025

🌟 Welcome to the Team, Dr. Chantelle Steyn! 🌟

We’re excited to introduce our second new intern, Dr. Chantelle Steyn! 🐴✨ Originally from Polokwane, Chantelle completed her CCS year at the Agricultural Research Council in Irene. Her lifelong love of horses, which began before she could walk, has fueled her dream of becoming an equine veterinarian.

Chantelle joined the OP Equine Clinic internship to build a strong foundation for her ultimate goal: specializing in equine surgery. With her dedication and enthusiasm, we know she’s on the right path, and we’re proud to be part of her journey! 💙

Fun fact: When she’s not in the clinic, Chantelle is training for her first marathon—now that’s commitment! 🏃‍♀️

🎥 Behind the Scenes at GrootPlaas! 🦏✨ Here’s a snapshot of Mia Slabbert (Anker), Dr. Elza Hollenbach, and Dr. Yolandi S...
09/01/2025

🎥 Behind the Scenes at GrootPlaas! 🦏✨

Here’s a snapshot of Mia Slabbert (Anker), Dr. Elza Hollenbach, and Dr. Yolandi Smit in the GrootPlaas studio after an inspiring interview about Binti, an orphaned rhino who underwent surgery with our team. We’re thrilled to share that Binti is thriving at home and making a remarkable recovery! 💙 Follow her journey at The Rhino Orphanage therhinoorphanage

A huge thank you to Grootplaas for giving us the platform to talk about Binti’s journey. 🐾

📺 Watch the full interview here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW-Ml8OUKZY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW-Ml8OUKZY)

🔍 A KICK, A WOUND, AND A PIECE OF HOOF 🐴This brave mare came to us after being kicked, resulting in a nasty wound on her...
08/01/2025

🔍 A KICK, A WOUND, AND A PIECE OF HOOF 🐴

This brave mare came to us after being kicked, resulting in a nasty wound on her distal tarsus. During her treatment, we removed this nearly 10cm-long piece of hoof embedded in the injury! 🦶😱

Our dedicated team, including final-year veterinary students, provided comprehensive care, from wound cleaning to meticulous bandaging. In this photo series, you can see the initial injury, the surprising foreign object we removed, and one of our students applying a forelimb bandage to another wound on the same mare.

Today, this patient heads home to continue her recovery. We’re rooting for a full recovery.

🩺 Why Checking Foal IgG Levels is Vital 🐴This is a stall-side IgG snap test showing partial failure of passive transfer ...
05/01/2025

🩺 Why Checking Foal IgG Levels is Vital 🐴

This is a stall-side IgG snap test showing partial failure of passive transfer (FPT). Foals rely on colostrum from their mares for essential antibodies to kickstart their immune systems. If these antibodies aren’t adequately absorbed within the first 24 hours, foals are at risk of life-threatening infections.

🛑 Why it matters:
FPT often goes unnoticed without testing, but its consequences can be severe. That’s why we recommend IgG testing for all newborn foals to ensure they’re getting the immunity they need.

💉 What happens if FPT is diagnosed?
• Partial FPT can sometimes be corrected with oral colostrum if caught early.
• For more severe cases, intravenous plasma transfusions are necessary to boost immunity and protect the foal.

Routine IgG testing and timely intervention save lives! Speak to your vet about checking IgG levels to give your foal the best start in life.

03/01/2025

🚨 The Serious Side of Choke in Horses 🚨

In this case, we treated a horse that developed severe pleuropneumonia following an episode of esophageal obstruction, commonly known as choke.

Pleuropneumonia can cause significant fluid buildup in the chest, making it difficult for the horse to breathe. This video captures a thoracic drain, where we removed 12L and 15L of fluid from each side of the thorax. The infection was caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus.

Thanks to the expertise and dedication of our medicine team, this horse fought through and has been safely discharged to recuperate further at home. 💪🐴

This case highlights the potential complications of choke and underscores the importance of prompt treatment. If your horse shows signs of choking, seek veterinary care immediately!

02/01/2025

✨ Behind the Scenes: Equine Heroes in Action! ✨

Check out this incredible sight—16 freshly collected blood bags from one of our amazing equine blood donor heroes! 🩸💪 These donations will be carefully processed into life-saving plasma.

Plasma therapy is a crucial tool in treating critically ill horses and foals, especially those with failure of passive transfer or severe infections. Thanks to our dedicated donors and team, we’re able to make a difference when it matters most. 💙🐴

A big thank you to our donor horses for their calm cooperation and to our veterinary team for their precision and care. Every drop counts!

Happy New Year
31/12/2024

Happy New Year

We’re happy to help
20/12/2024

We’re happy to help

Address

Old Soutpan Road (M35)
Pretoria
0110

Telephone

+27761433655

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Equine Clinic of the University of Pretoria at Onderstepoort posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Equine Clinic of the University of Pretoria at Onderstepoort:

Videos

🚨 The Serious Side of Choke in Horses 🚨 In this case, we treated a horse that developed severe pleuropneumonia following an episode of esophageal obstruction, commonly known as choke. Pleuropneumonia can cause significant fluid buildup in the chest, making it difficult for the horse to breathe. This video captures a thoracic drain, where we removed 12L and 15L of fluid from each side of the thorax. The infection was caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus. Thanks to the expertise and dedication of our medicine team, this horse fought through and has been safely discharged to recuperate further at home. 💪🐴 This case highlights the potential complications of choke and underscores the importance of prompt treatment. If your horse shows signs of choking, seek veterinary care immediately! #EquineMedicine #Pleuropneumonia #ChokeInHorses #HorseHealth #OPequine

✨ Behind the Scenes: Equine Heroes in Action! ✨ Check out this incredible sight—16 freshly collected blood bags from one of our amazing equine blood donor heroes! 🩸💪 These donations will be carefully processed into life-saving plasma. Plasma therapy is a crucial tool in treating critically ill horses and foals, especially those with failure of passive transfer or severe infections. Thanks to our dedicated donors and team, we’re able to make a difference when it matters most. 💙🐴 A big thank you to our donor horses for their calm cooperation and to our veterinary team for their precision and care. Every drop counts! #EquineHeroes #PlasmaTherapy #HorseHealth #OPequine #makingadifferencetogether

Shortcuts

Share

Category