Author: sussex_admin

Due to expansion of staff at our hospital, we have filled all of our in hospital accommodation and are now looking for rooms for our visiting students and trainee nurses to rent when they are working at the hospital.

Throughout the year, we have students visiting for a two week period at a time and we currently have three trainee nurses that will be starting with us for 12 month placements. We are looking to compile a list of accommodation available locally to the hospital to pass onto our students/trainee nurses, whilst they work with us.

If you are able to assist, please contact: Natasha Homewood

Over the last year or so the vets at the Sussex Equine Hospital have been using Class 4 laser therapy (K Laser) to treat numerous conditions including tendon and ligament injuries with fantastic results in terms of speed and quality of healing. One of the main uses for the K laser is for treating wounds, see the following case as an example.

The following is a description of how laser treatment works. Laser therapy uses selected wavelengths of light to stimulate key molecules in human tissues. Decades of medical research have identified the wavelengths, energy level and frequencies that induce changes in cellular metabolism (Photobiostimulation), for instance melanin absorbing sunlight changes skins pigmentation. K-Laser delivers energy from superficial to deep tissues activating a cascade of photochemical reactions that promotes cell function, enabling treated tissues to accelerate the stages of the healing process and reduce pain sensation. This is a safe and non-invasive technique that uses the body’s own reparative processes.

1. INCREASED METABOLIC ACTIVITY
By stimulating key molecules (haemoglobin, water, cytochrome c) K-Laser therapy improves tissue oxygenation, ATP synthesis and intercellular exchanges, activating a cascade of photo-chemical reactions that speeds up the healing, regenerative process.

2. IMPROVED VASCULAR ACTIVITY
K-Laser therapy induces vasodilation in the treated area and promotes angiogenesis, thus improving blood circulation, optimising tissue nutrition and removal of cell waste and inflammatory factors. K-Laser boosts the lymphatic drainage system as well. As a result, there is a reduction in swelling caused by bruising or local inflammation.

3. ANTI INFLAMMATION
Laser therapy accelerates the termination of the inflammatory process. Interleukin-1, a cytokine that has immune and pro-inflammatory actions, is proven to be reduced by laser treatment, and the antioxidant Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) levels are enhanced, helping reduce damaging free-radical activity.

4. IMPROVED NERVE FUNCTION
Laser therapy is proven to facilitate the normalisation of nerve signal transmission in the autonomic, sensory, and motor neural pathways. Both Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP) and Nerve Latency values show improvement following laser treatment. It is also proven to stimulate axonal sprouting and cell regeneration in damaged nerves.

5. ANALGESIC EFFECT
Pain relief is the result of nerve activity alteration, reduced localised inflammation and swelling, proven to happen following a K-Laser therapy course.

6. ACCELERATED TISSUE REPAIR AND CELL GROWTH
K-Laser wavelengths, power and pulse frequencies penetrate at depth into tissues and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth by increasing their metabolism. As a result, the cells of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones are repaired faster.

7. REDUCED FIBROUS TISSUE FORMATION
Early K-Laser Therapy can prevent the accumulation of scar tissue following tears, burns or surgery. Once healed the tissues are proven to be more elastic with minimal scarring, reducing the onset of chronic pain associated with scars.

8. IMMUNOREGULATION
Acceleration of Leukocytic activity and enhanced Lymphocytic response have been observed in treated tissues (enhances the removal of nonviable tissue components and rapid repair). Wounds treated with the K-Laser are more resilient to secondary infections.

9. FASTER WOUND HEALING
Laser therapy optimises collagen and elastin deposition: wounds treated with the K-Laser are proven to heal faster, with increased tensile strength preventing further breakdowns. K-Laser therapy is effective on Chronic Diabetic Ulcers and traumatic wounds.

10. ACUPUNCTURE POINTS
K-Laser therapy stimulates acupuncture points allowing needleless acupuncture.

The images show the progress of a nasty wound, across the front of a hock, that Ed Lyall treated for a few weeks with standard bandages and laser treatment each time the bandage was changed. The wound healed very quickly, reducing the number times the bandages had to be changed and the cosmetic result is excellent so far.

For further information and prices, please call the hospital on 01903 883 050.

Gastric ulcers are a common complaint affecting both pleasure, sports and race horses and ponies. Clinical signs can be very variable ranging from dislike of tightening the girth, teeth grinding, dull coat, lack of condition to poor performance and mild-moderate colic. The only way to definitively diagnose gastric ulcers is to pass a video endoscope into the stomach under-standing sedation. The procedure is tolerated very well and takes around 15-20 minutes. If you horse has ulcers then we can advise on the best treatment plans.

On the 9th and 10th March 2022, we are running a gastroscopy clinic at Sussex Equine Hospital. For horses booked in on these days only gastroscopy will be half price costing £145 including VAT and routine sedation.

If ulcers are diagnosed treatment would incur additional costs.

To book your horse in please call Jess Smart on 01903 883050 spaces are limited and you must already be registered as a client of Sussex Equine Hospital.

To ensure the safety of our staff and clients, we ask that anyone coming into the hospital must wear a face covering (unless you are exempt) and please use the hand sanitisers located around the hospital.

If one of our vets is visiting your horse or you have an appointment at the hospital, please observe social distancing, if this is not possible then please wear a face covering.

Lastly, if you have any symptoms of Covid, please do not attend the hospital and give our reception team a call on 01903 883 050 to cancel and reschedule your appointment.

Gastric ulcers are a common complaint affecting both pleasure, sports and race horses and ponies. Clinical signs can be very variable ranging from dislike of tightening the girth, teeth grinding, dull coat, lack of condition to poor performance and mild-moderate colic. The only way to definitively diagnose gastric ulcers is to pass a video endoscope into the stomach under-standing sedation. The procedure is tolerated very well and takes around 15-20 minutes. If you horse has ulcers then we can advise on the best treatment plans.

On the 11th and 13th October 2021, we are running a gastroscopy clinic at Sussex Equine Hospital. For horses booked in on these days only gastroscopy will be half price costing £145 including VAT and routine sedation.

If ulcers are diagnosed treatment would incur additional costs.

To book your horse in please call Jess Smart on 01903 883050 spaces are limited and you must already be registered as a client of Sussex Equine Hospital.

EQUINE EXPORTS!

Please remember that it now takes longer to obtain all the necessary documentation, blood tests and test results needed to export horses to the EU, Ireland & Northern Ireland therefore you need to plan ahead accordingly.

For further guidance please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-horses-and-ponies-special-rules?fbclid=IwAR3g_1CsSfoKSg7Eq3NpNb8Ypyf55LpIyq1HYase3_fCpTjjeOOx0cM63gM

Have you heard of what3words?

It is an easy way to identify precise locations. what3words has given every 3m square in the world a unique 3 word address. The words are randomly assigned to each square and will always stay the same! This enables you to find any precise location, using just three simple words.

When it’s hard to describe where you are in an emergency, you only need to read out three words for people to pinpoint your exact location!

This is beneficial to our vets as it means they will be able to easily find your location, even if your horse is kept in a remote field, especially crucial when its an emergency call out!
Download the what3words app today and when booking your next appointment, provide the what3words location of your horse!

https://what3words.com/bound.shortcuts.daredevil

Our very own surgeon, Dr. Luis M. Rubio-Martinez has now published a book called ‘Complications in Equine Surgery.’

‘Complications in Equine Surgery’ is the first reference to focus exclusively on understanding, preventing, recognizing, managing, and prognosing, technical and post-procedural complications in equine surgery. Edited by two noted experts on the topic, the book presents evidence-based information using a clear approach, organized by body system. Featuring color images, the book contains detailed coverage of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, musculoskeletal, urogenital, and neurological systems.

Each chapter contains a short introduction of the procedure with explanations of when and how the procedure is to be performed. All chapters review how to recognize and prevent technical complications and explain how to manage post-operative complications.

Great work Luis!!