PRE- SURGICAL ASSESSMENT

When considering general anesthesia and elective surgery, it is important that the patient is in optimal health. Any indication of respiratory disease, fever, abnormal intestinal function or skin abnormalities in the surgical area would result in the procedure being delayed until the horse is a suitable candidate for surgery.

What to look for:
- Nasal discharge or coughing
- Fever
- Abnormal appetite or abnormal manure
- Scabs, skin scurfs or sweats in the surgical area


POST-SURGICAL ASSESSMENT

After surgery and general anesthesia, it is important that the horse receives limited feeding for a couple of days to allow the intestine to recover normal function. We recommend that you DO NOT feed GRAIN/SWEET FEED for 3 days, then feed according to the level of exercise. The amount and type of exercise allowed post-operatively will be recommended by the surgeon, depending on each individual horse.

What to look for:
- The horse becomes increasingly lame
- Larger amounts of swelling and heat are noted
- Pus or discharge from the surgical incision
- Decreased appetite or the horse not passing standards amount of normal manure
- General discomfort (pawing, kicking, stall-walking)
- Cough or nasal discharge

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us at 905-854-2111