In-Hospital
Ranch Call
Surgical
Acupuncture
We’re able to provide acupuncture treatments in the field and at the clinic. We have 3 doctors certified in acupuncture and Dr. Emma Deane provides the majority of these services. Acupuncture can be used as a treatment for ongoing pain or following an acute injury. It provides great analgesia (pain relief) and can help with muscle tension, muscle atrophy, nerve pain and nerve dysfunction. It is a great therapy to combine with chiropractic to increase longevity of the treatment and overall performance. Acupuncture can also be used for chronic conditions such as laminitis, facial nerve paralysis, sacroiliac disease and neck pain, as well as pain relief and GI stimulation for post-operative colics.
Castration
We perform castrations both in the field and at the hospital. Our doctors are accompanied by a technician to make this procedure as safe as possible. Cryptorchid castrations are performed at the clinic.
Chiropractic
We offer chiropractic services in the field and at the clinic. Dr. Emma Deane provides these services and has availability approximately 3 days per week. She schedules clinics at local barns as well as individual appointments. Chiropractic is a great adjunct therapy for improving performance, treating back, neck and pelvic pain, dealing with compensation from chronic injuries, improving and maintaining joint mobility and most importantly, keeping horses comfortable and pain free.
Choke
(aka esophageal obstruction) This is a potentially life-threatening emergency that occurs when food becomes lodged in the esophagus. The horse is not able to eat or drink and frequently saliva and feed material will begin to drain out of the nostrils. Fluids and feed can enter the lungs and cause severe pneumonia. Choke is a common emergency in our practice and we have a number of techniques to remove the food obstruction including stomach tubes, endoscopic removal, and even surgery. Our success rate in resolving this condition is extremely high, but choke is an emergency and should be treated as quickly as possible.
Colic
Abdominal discomfort typically causes clinical signs such as pawing, rolling, and a decreased appetite. Colic is the most common emergency that we treat (up to 10-12 cases daily) but many horses improve with a simple veterinary visit including a stomach tubing. Other more serious cases may require hospitalization with IV fluids or even surgical correction. We strive to make an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible and then help our clients decide the best treatment protocol. We have a 24/7 surgical staff on-call if they are required.
Dentistry
Equine dentistry has become an increasingly important aspect of routine veterinary care. Our doctors perform approximately 3000-4000 routine teeth floats each year and attend continuing education on this ever-advancing field of veterinary medicine. Additionally, we provide more specialized dental procedures including x-rays, tooth extractions, and fillings.
Dermatology
Routine and emergency skin diseases are common appointments at the clinic. Allergic skin disease (hives, rubbing raw skin, etc.) are frequent reasons to seek veterinary care. Our doctors can assist with diagnosis and treatment to provide immediate relief for your horse.
Emergency & Critical Care
Equine emergencies can be frightening for both the horse and owner. We have one of the largest and most highly trained emergency service staff in the country. The hospital is staffed with two specialists in emergency and critical care as well as additional specialists in internal medicine and surgery that treat a wide range of equine emergencies. We typically have 5-6 emergency doctors on call at any given time to respond to emergencies in the field and at the hospital. We are happy to talk with you on the phone and help you decide if your emergency needs to be seen immediately and what you can do until veterinary help arrives. LBEMC is used as a referral hospital for equine emergencies from around California as well as Oregon and Nevada.
Endoscopy
We have five different endoscopes (cameras) that we use for various evaluations. Most commonly we scope the stomach looking for ulcers, but we also evaluate other areas including the throat, airways, esophagus, and urinary bladder. In many (but not all) cases we are able to let the clients watch while we perform this procedure which can be interesting and educational. Using endoscopy, our doctors can obtain biopsies and perform certain surgical procedures. Endoscopy provides a less invasive way to treat some common equine problems. Endoscopy can be performed both in the hospital and in the field.
Hospitalization
Our hospital facilities are completely new, constructed in 2013. We have approximately 20 stalls in our two main barns and 20 rubber-matted covered paddocks that remain dry year-round. An expansion is planned to be completed in 2018 which will increase our ICU stalls from 4 to 6 and our isolation stalls from 2 to 4. Our ICU stalls are climate controlled and have oxygen available for critical cases. Our ICU cases include post-operative colics, newborn foals, and a variety of other emergency cases. We have a large 100’ x 200’ covered arena that we use for lameness evaluation and rehab for horses that are housed at the clinic.
Internal Medicine
Our private hospital is unique in that we staff two specialists in equine internal medicine (Dr. Diane Rhodes and Dr. Fiona Wensley). These doctors offer expertise in many areas including respiratory, gastrointestinal, and renal diseases that affect horses. Dr. Rhodes and Dr. Wensley accept referral appointments from veterinarians outside of our practice but also consult on in-house cases.
IRAP
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein is a treatment used for joint disease in horses. IRAP may be used for a variety of injuries involving the joint. Please talk with one of our doctors about specific reasons why this treatment may be best for your horse.
Joint Injections
We perform hundreds of joints injections each year with the hock and coffin joints being the most common areas that are treated. Steroids are most commonly used with joint injections, but other treatments include hyaluronic acid, IRAP, and stem cells. Many horses receive yearly joint injections for the treatment of arthritis and are able to continue moving and exercising pain free.
Lacerations
Lacerations are the second most common equine emergency (following colic). Many lacerations are simple and may require just a few sutures, but our surgeons are available for more complex injuries that may involve joints or the abdominal cavity. If your horse sustains a laceration, please let us talk with you about the location and depth of the wound so that we can advise you on the best treatment.
Lameness
Evaluations for lameness are an incredibly important part of equine practice. Our doctors can perform these examinations in the field or here at the clinic. We have boarded specialists in equine surgery (DACVS) and equine sports medicine (DACVSMR) that are available for more complex cases. Our portable x-ray and ultrasound equipment are available should these be required as part of the lameness evaluation process.
Laminitis
Founder/laminitis is an important and serious cause of lameness in horses. This condition can be associated with life-threatening emergencies (grain overload, diarrhea) or chronic foot problems. Laminitis can be associated with Equine Cushing’s disease and Equine Metabolic syndrome, especially if these horses are allowed to eat too much rich green grass. Laminitis should be treated as an emergency when the signs (reluctance to move, difficulty walking, and lameness) are first noticed.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is one of the best ways that we can image the soft tissue structures in your horse. We most commonly perform this diagnostic test for the lower parts of the limb (foot, pastern, and fetlock) but we can also image areas up to the knee and hock. MRI has completely revolutionized the diagnosis of equine lameness and has allowed us to help a much larger number of horses recover from lameness. Most MRI examinations are approximately $1000 but imaging multiple locations can increase the cost.
Ophthalmology
Horses frequently come in with eye problems that include traumatic injuries (corneal ulcers, lacerations), uveitis (inflammation in the eye), allergies, and cancer. Our doctors can evaluate eye problems both in the field and at the clinic. We are fortunate to have Dr. Nick Faber as our consulting ophthalmologist.
Pharmacy
Due to the size of our hospital and the number of doctors, we have an extensively stocked pharmacy with medications that are often difficult to find. We are able to purchase large quantities of common medications (Adequan, gastrogard, pergolide, etc.) and provide these at lower prices than many of the online sources. If your horse requires long-term medication, please talk with us about potential savings from buying these medications through your veterinarian at LBEMC.
Pre Purchase Exams
We’re well-known for our comprehensive pre-purchase evaluations. We have a large staff of veterinarians with varying interests and training in specific aspects of the horse industry. We have 4 digital x-ray systems that can be brought to the pre-purchase appointment to avoid delays. Similarly, we can bring ultrasound and endoscope equipment to the appointment if requested ahead of time. We provide a comprehensive written report of the evaluation. If you are considering the purchase of a new horse, please talk with us so that we can help you decide what type of evaluation is best suited for your specific situation.
PRP
Platelet Rich Plasma is a treatment that we use most commonly for tendon and ligament injuries. This treatment is often combined with a rehabilitation program and sometimes with other treatments such as shockwave. PRP is typically performed in a single visit here at the hospital and involves the collection and processing of a large blood sample. Our doctors then use ultrasound to guide injection of this special plasma into the injured tissue.
Radiology
Our doctors take thousands of x-rays every year to aid in the diagnosis of lameness, colic, and a variety of other equine medical problems. The practice has 4 x-ray systems that can be used both in the field and at the clinic. We take pride in the quality of our x-rays and we provide these images to other hospitals and veterinarians around the world.
Reproduction
We offer a variety of equine reproduction services including breeding evaluations and insemination with cooled and frozen semen. The hospital also offers more advanced reproductive techniques such as embryo transfer. In 2018, we’re expanding our reproduction services to include stallion collection and semen processing.
Rescue
The rescue of horses trapped in trailers, ditches, or other precarious situations is a technical and challenging task. Our doctors have specific training in how to safely extract horses from these dangerous situations. Our rescue equipment includes slings, lifts, and glides that can help stabilize and remove trapped horses. Please call if you need our emergency rescue assistance.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave is a great non-invasive treatment modality for musculoskeletal problems, soft-tissue injuries and bone injuries in horses. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy generates high-intensity pressure waves for a specific site. It provides excellent pain relief (especially for neck and back pain), decreases inflammation, and stimulates blood flow. It is often used to improve the quality of healing and fiber alignment in tendon and ligament injuries. Shockwave therapy can penetrate the deep musculature and joints of the neck and back and improve healing of large and/or chronic wounds.
Shoeing (Routine & Corrective)
Farrier services are available at the clinic by appointment. Our farriers typically work in conjunction with one of our doctors to develop a treatment plan. X-rays are often used to guide shoeing protocols and can be performed both before and after shoeing.
Stem Cell Therapies
Stem Cell Therapy continues to receive a lot of attention as a promising treatment for a variety of equine injuries. We can provide treatment with both adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived stem cells. Please talk with one of our doctors so that we can help advise you on the ideal treatment protocol for your horse.
Surgery
Dr. Jason Errico and Dr. Dustin Major are our two primary surgeons. They perform a wide variety of routine soft-tissue and orthopedic procedures and are available to consult on cases with our other doctors. Our surgeons alternate on-call so that we are able to provide emergency surgeries as quickly as possible. We also offer more specialized surgical procedures including (but not limited to) arthroscopy, laparoscopy, and laser surgery. Please schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons if you would like to discuss a possible surgical procedure for one of your horses. Dr. Errico and Dr. Major accept referral appointments from veterinarians outside of our practice as well.
Ultrasonography
We perform over 1000 ultrasound examinations each year that include evaluations of the abdomen, chest, and legs. Additionally, our doctors use ultrasound for reproductive services such as breeding and pregnancy checks. Ultrasound is also a very effective way to diagnose soft-tissue injuries and is an important part of many of our lameness evaluations.
Vaccinations
Each year, we give over 10,000 vaccines as part of our commitment to preventative health care for horses. We recognize the importance of vaccination for preventable diseases such as West Nile Virus, tetanus, and influenza. We offer a 15% discount for vaccine clinics of 6 or more horses, and we strive to make vaccines as affordable as possible to ensure that we can vaccinate as many horses as possible.
