Mobile Equine Diagnostics Devon
We provide mobile equine diagnostics throughout Devon and the West Country. Our vets carry state of the art wireless equipment including digital x-ray, ultrasound, video gastroscopes and endoscopy machines. This means that in most cases, we can diagnose any problems at the time of the examination. To arrange a visit from our vets for mobile equine diagnostics in Devon and the South West, please get in touch.
Mobile Equine Veterinary Services
Our mobile equine veterinary services can diagnose problems with your horse quickly and efficiently. We can undertake diagnostic investigation and advanced procedures to assess lameness and other orthopaedic problems such as back pain, developmental abnormalities and neuromuscular issues. Bringing ultrasonography and a top-quality portable x-ray system allows us to view images instantly and make a diagnosis at the time of examination.
Whether your horse has an emergency colic, a wind problem or is performing poorly, we can undertake laboratory analysis, endoscopy and ultrasonography to achieve a rapid diagnosis.
Conditions such as weight loss and skin infections can often prove frustrating. Our diagnostics will help you to find the way forward.
Inflammation of the eye or traumatic injuries can lead to serious consequences in horses. Using modern Ophthalmoscopes, we can rapidly assess the degree of damage to your horse´s eye and begin treatment in the stable.
Mobile Radiography for Horses
Our portable x-ray machines allow us to perform mobile radiography at your yard. X-rays are often required to identify the cause of lameness and allow us to look at the condition of the bones and joints. Radiographic surveys can also be undertaken for insurance purposes and pre-purchase exams.
Ultrasonography for Horses
Our vets can perform ultrasonography for horses for a number of reasons. Ultrasounds are non-invasive and this method is used to diagnose many problems including issues with tendons, ligaments and the internal structure of joints. They are also used for pregnancy scanning.
Lameness Evaluations
Lameness can occur for a multitude of reasons. Our vets can perform lameness evaluations to diagnose the problem so we can recommend the best treatment to speed up the recovery rate and return your horse to complete soundness.
Our lameness evaluations include the following:
- Assessment of your horse’s gait, movement and limb placement through a ridden or non-ridden examination.
- Palpation of the limbs and muscles.
- Nerve blocks to identify the exact area of concern.
- X-rays and ultrasounds as appropriate.
Gastroscopy and Endoscopy
At West Ridge Equine we are lucky enough to have a portable video scope system which enables live video examination of your horse’s respiratory tract and stomach. The crystal clear video image enables a quick diagnosis to be made, without having to move your horse out of the comfort of their stable, making the whole experience much less stressful for yourself and your horse.
Gastroscopy is when a camera is placed down the oesophagus and into the stomach. This is usually done to check for gastric ulcers, but it can be used for taking biopsies, and checking for any other health worries such as bot larvae, tumours or strictures.
Endoscopy is for airway examination and is often used for a quick and easy diagnosis of airway disorders such as laryngeal paralysis, epistaxis (nose bleeds), soft palate displacements, and airway inflammation. It can also be used for examination of guttural pouches, taking aspirates directly from the airway and visualising foreign bodies such as thorns that may be stuck in the airway.
Allergy Testing
All our vets are passionate about pushing the boundaries of diagnostics and treatment options for allergies in horses. Allergic disease can be frustrating and debilitating for the horse and the owner, and we are always trying to be the first to test out new therapies. A dermatology consultation with one of our vets, involving a thorough examination of your horse’s skin and management routine can be critical in making an assessment of how to help your horse. We also offer intradermal skin testing, which can help isolate which pollens/insects/feeds your horse is allergic to.
Sweet itch, an allergy to culicoides midges, is probably the most common allergy we come across. It can cause the horse to rub their mane and tail excessively, sometimes to the point of bleeding. Fly repellents and fly rugs are the mainstay of preventative therapy currently, but we have been trialing a vaccination originally intended for ringworm. The vaccination consists of two injections two weeks apart and must be given in winter before the midge season starts. If you are interested in trying this product on your horse please get in touch.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)
Shockwave therapy is used in equine orthopaedics to treat a wide range of conditions. We have had excellent results in tendon and ligament injuries, for example proximal suspensory desmitis, bowed tendons and suspensory branch injuries, boney problems such as splints, impinging dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines) and angular limb deformities in foals, and it can be used to relieve muscular problems anywhere in the body.
The machine generates a high energy pressure wave which is emitted and directed onto the injured area. This increases blood flow and inflammatory markers to the area, which instructs the body to heal the injury and also has a direct pain relieving effect to the area.
For most injuries, we recommend a four-week course (once a week) which is carried out at your stable. We have also been excited to see the results shockwave therapy can give when used in horses with chronic pain, such as kissing spines, arthritis and navicular syndrome, as a way of helping to manage the pain long term, sometimes reducing the need for bute and intra-articular corticosteroid injections.
Contact West Ridge Equine Vets
If you require further information about our mobile equine diagnostics in Devon, then please get in touch. We can arrange emergency call outs if required, or we can arrange an appointment at a suitable time for you.
