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Recovery
Once surgery has been completed your horse
will be moved to the padded recovery area.
The anaesthetist will stay with them until their
tube has been removed. They will be constantly
monitored and the anaesthetist stays on hand
should any problems occur. Once standing,
they will still be quite wobbly so they will stay
in recovery until they are safe to move.
Back to bed
Once ready, your horse will be slowly walked
back to his/her stable. After an anaesthetic
some horses struggle with temperature
regulation so the nurses always ensure
appropriate rugs are put on and adjusted as
necessary. You will normally now be contacted
by telephone to let you know how the surgery
has gone and how your horse is doing. Once
they are awake enough to eat, nurses will start
to give small handfuls of forage, they are
normally very hungry! There is an increased
risk of choke if they are fed too much too
soon. They are monitored throughout the day
for the following; signs of pain, lameness,
swelling, any bleeding from dressings/wounds
and dropping production. If necessary your
horse will be checked through the night by
the on-duty nurse.
The day after
The nurses will ensure your horse has had
a comfortable night and feed them and
muck them out. The surgeon will normally
re-examine them and discuss their further care
plan. Rugs will be changed as necessary and
they are given a nice groom, this not only is
good for hygiene reasons, they also really
enjoy the interaction and normality.
Coming home
Once the vet is happy for your horse to be
discharged they will ring you to discuss further
care at home and to arrange an appropriate
time for collection. Discharge notes will be
printed out for you and any medication/
dressings dispensed if required.
Please always feel free to call your surgery
and speak to a nurse about what you need
to bring with your horse to the clinic. It may
also give you some reassurance knowing
that you've spoken to someone who will be
looking after your horse during his/her stay.
EQUINE SURGERY
Your horse will be weighed on a weigh
bridge or have their approximate weight
calculated, to ensure that all drugs are given
at the correct dosages. An intravenous
catheter will be placed in a jugular vein. This
is to allow the administration of medications
and fluids before, during and after surgery.
Shortly before surgery, the anaesthetist will
give antibiotics, pain relief and a small dose
of sedation (pre-med) before the horse is
moved to the induction area. This will prevent
any unnecessary pain and make for a much
smoother anaesthetic. The horse will be
groomed; feet picked out and mouth
thoroughly washed so that the mouth is
free from food (and bedding!) as a tube
will be passed down the windpipe for
the anaesthetic.
Induction
About thirty minutes after the pre-med, your
horse will be taken down to the padded
induction box. Drugs will be given that will
slowly and calmly bring your horse under the
general anaesthetic and make them lie down.
The tube is passed into the windpipe to
administer oxygen and anaesthetic gas to
keep the horse asleep during surgery. He/she
will be positioned on the theatre bed, the
area clipped and cleaned. At this stage
surgery will begin.
SUMMER 2012 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
12
After an anaesthetic some horses struggle with temperature
regulation so the nurses always ensure appropriate rugs
are put on and adjusted as necessary.
S ARAH A S TON
R E VN
Prior to surgery your horse will have a full
pre-operative assessment
After surgery horses are made comfortable
back in their stable
In the padded induction area
Medications will be administered via an intravenous catheter in the jugular vein