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CHECK LIST:
WHAT TO BRING
EQUINE SURGERY
Preparing your horse
for surgery...
Don’t forget your toothbrush!
Sarah Aston REVN
Hook Norton Veterinary Group
You will normally be asked to bring
your horse in clean condition the
day, or evening before surgery to
ensure they get settled in and can
be starved appropriately overnight;
we can resist those big brown eyes
when we need to!
As with human anaesthetics it is important
to follow eating and drinking guidelines for
similar reasons. They will normally have their
hay/haylage for the evening, enough to last
them until the early hours, then no further
food prior to surgery. A full stomach will put
pressure on the diaphragm whilst under
anaesthesia which will reduce their lung
capacity. A period of starvation also helps
reduce the risk of impaction colic after surgery
which can occur due to reduced gut
movements during the anaesthetic.
Arrival
Once you arrive at the surgery please visit
reception before unloading your horse and
bringing him/her into the yard. A nurse will
come and help you fill in the paperwork and
assist with unloading if necessary.
Why do I need to complete
paperwork?
Consent forms are a legal document to
say the horse has been left in the care of the
veterinary practice. It will state the procedure
to be performed and that you understand the
work that is going to be undertaken and how
it may affect your horse. It also states that
you understand that you will be billed for the
procedure and that you are expected to pay,
or contact your insurance company.
We will also ask you to provide an
emergency contact number. Please remember
to bring your horse's passport which should
legally accompany your horse at all times.
Hand-over
You can now put your horse in his/her
allocated stable. It is always best to let the
horse go and explore their new surroundings
and to do the usual... have a wee and a roll,
this is normal!
Feel free to bring rugs that your horse will
normally wear at home including a thermatex
or a sweat sheet if you have one. These are
useful for recovery after surgery. We will ask
you all the necessary questions about your
horse. Please tell us what is normal for
him/her at home no matter how odd. It
will save us having to call and worry
you unnecessarily.
Most hospitals are equipped with hay/
haylage and a standard low energy
mix/cubes but please check at the time
of booking if you need to bring feed. Bear in
mind your horse will be off work for a few
days at least (obviously surgery dependent)
so it is advisable to reduce high energy hard
feeds and keep them on a maintenance diet.
Please bring any medications or special
supplements your horse needs.
This is now the hard part… you need to
leave! Your horse will be in our capable
hands and we will treat them like we would
our own, if there is ever any problem we
will contact you.
Pre-operative assessment
and treatment
Once your horse has settled in his/her
stable the anaesthetist or nurse will do
an assessment. This will include; normal
heart and breathing rate, temperature
(if compliant!) and general demeanour.
Blood samples may also be taken for analysis
at this time. This is just to ensure that there
are no underlying conditions that may
affect the anaesthetic.
Veterinary Nurse
Sarah Aston
XLVets Equine Practice
Hook Norton
Veterinary Group
So… Your horse has been booked in for an operation and a few
nights stay at the surgery, what should you pack? And what
should you expect at the practice when you arrive? All XLVets
Equine practices with facilities for surgery and hospitalisation
have a dedicated team of vets and nurses on-hand to look after
your horse during its stay.
11
EQUINE MATTERS
q
Horse passport
q
Insurance documents
q
Your contact details
q
Rugs
q
Medications
q
Specialist supplements
q
Feed and hay/haylage -
check with the surgery