Frequently Asked Questions

If your horse is staying at the hospital please bring their rugs and any stable bandages that they usually wear. We stock most usual feedstuffs and the nurse that admits your horse will take a note of what he/she usually eats.

Additionally, don't forget your passport, insurance details and claim form. 

Some surgeries such as laser surgery, sinus surgery and laparoscopy can be performed under deep sedation with the horse still standing. General anaesthesia is required for most other equine surgeries, including arthroscopy (joint surgery), some wind ops, colic surgery and closed castrations.

Whilst there is always a small risk with any general anaesthetic, we have a well trained anaesthesia team. Horses are routinely monitored during general anaesthesia with ECGs and blood pressure monitors, and blood gas analysis for critical patients such as colic.

Updates: One of our team will call you each morning to update you on your horse's progress. If we have performed a significant procedure or surgery, one of our vets will call you once that procedure is completed. If your horse is in a critical state, our team will always update you immediately of any significant change.

Visiting: Visitors are welcome within working hours but please call reception ahead of your visit to let us know that you are coming. 

*Horses are usually starved overnight prior to having a general anaesthetic.

*An intra-venous catheter will be placed in the neck, so a patch of hair will be clipped there. The anaesthetist will examine your horse before they sedate and pre-medicate him/her with appropriate medications, including antibiotics and pain relief.

*Anaesthesia is induced in our padded induction room using an intravenous drug.

* Your horse is then moved into the operating suite and positioned on the operating table ready for surgery.

* Hair will be clipped at the surgery site and small patches in other places on the body to allow positioning of anaesthesia monitoring equipment.

* After surgery has ended, the horse is moved back into the padded room to recover from the anaesthetic.  

A vet will ring you when your horse is back up on its feet. After general anaesthetic (or deep sedation for standing surgery), horses can be very groggy for several hours, so be aware of this if you plan to visit. Your horse will be fed once he/she is no longer sedated. When your horse is ready to go home, discharge instructions will be printed and a nurse or intern will go through these with you when you come to pick them up.

A report will be sent to the vet that referred your horse into the hospital so that they are up to date with the case and know if any follow-up treatment is required.