Horses can be affected by various diseases or conditions that require urgent medical attention and professional care. These primarily include colic, choke, tying-up, laminitis, and various injuries. Our equine patients receive veterinary care around the clock. Our range of services includes rapid clinical diagnostics, supported by our own laboratory, ultrasound examinations, and digital X-ray technology, allowing us to obtain valuable information in a short time, which plays a crucial role in determining further treatment options. This enables your horse to receive professional and intensive care on-site.

Dental treatments for horses are of great importance to their health, as dental issues can significantly affect feeding, digestion, and overall well-being. Due to the natural chewing movement of horses, hooks, points, or sharp edges can form on their teeth. Regular examinations, depending on the age and condition of the teeth, are essential. We also offer the removal of wolf teeth as well as the extraction of loose incisors or molars. Horses with a healthy and well-maintained set of teeth can chew their food better and are generally healthier. We always perform dental treatments under light sedation. This ensures the procedure is stress-free and quick for the horse. Any observed mouth or dental abnormalities can also be treated immediately.

Surgical procedures on horses are carried out on-site when transport to a clinic is not possible or practical, or when the procedure can be safely performed under field conditions. Suitable procedures in the stable include wound care, such as suturing cuts, treatment of deep skin or muscle wounds, castrations, especially in young stallions, abscess drainage for abscesses in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, removal of small skin tumors like sarcoids or melanomas, surgical removal of wolf teeth or retained milk teeth, hoof surgery for treating hoof abscesses, and eye surgery, such as the removal of foreign bodies or treatment of injuries or eyelid abnormalities.

Lameness diagnosis in horses is a central component of the orthopedic examination and is used to determine the cause of movement disorders. It combines a systematic clinical examination with specialized diagnostic procedures. Common causes of lameness include hoof problems such as hoof abscesses, laminitis, and navicular disease, tendon and ligament injuries such as suspensory ligament inflammation, joint diseases like arthritis, synovitis, and chip fractures, bone issues such as fractures, periostitis, and overuse reactions, muscle problems such as myopathies or muscle tension, as well as back issues like kissing spines and sacroiliac joint problems.

1. Anamnesis

A thorough anamnesis provides valuable clues:

• Duration of lameness: Acute or chronic?
• History: Previous injuries or illnesses.
• Workload: Type and intensity of work.
• Changes in training or management: E.g., new hoof trimming, ground conditions.

2. Clinical Examination

• Posture Assessment

  • Symmetry: Comparing muscle mass and limb alignment.
  • Posture: Relief posture or deviations from normal stance.
  • Swelling or wounds: Visible signs of injury or inflammation.

• Movement Assessment

  • Walk and trot: On straight lines and in circles (hard and soft ground).
  • Lameness evaluation: Localization and severity (e.g., 0-5 scale according to AAEP).
  • Compensation: Abnormalities in other limbs or the back.

• Flexion and Provocation Tests

  • Flexion tests: Excessive bending of a limb to provoke pain.
  • Hoof tester: Checking for tenderness in the hoof.

3. Local Anesthesia

If the cause of lameness is not evident through the clinical examination, diagnostic anesthesia can help:

• Nerve blocks: Nerve blockages from distal to proximal (e.g., hoof or fetlock area).
• Intra-articular anesthesia: For diagnosing joint pain.

4. X-rays

X-rays are highly useful for detecting bone changes (e.g., arthritis, fractures, chip fragments).

The in-house laboratory for immediate diagnostics is an essential component of modern veterinary practices, allowing us to quickly obtain precise diagnostic information about an animal's health. By utilizing on-site diagnostic labs, many tests can be performed directly at our practice, reducing treatment time and enabling a swift response to health issues. Accurate and rapid lab diagnostics are crucial and serve as an important tool, allowing us to act promptly and effectively in providing the best care for your animal.

Digital X-ray Diagnostics

Digital radiographic diagnostics are an essential tool and an indispensable part of our ongoing pursuit of precise and rapid diagnoses. The digital X-rays are taken on-site and processed using specialized digital software, providing immediate results for effective treatment planning. This technology ensures high-resolution images for accurate assessments, allowing us to diagnose various conditions efficiently and with great precision.

Ophthalmology in Veterinary Medicine

Ophthalmology in veterinary medicine is a specialized field focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye diseases in animals. Eye problems in horses, for example, can cause significant discomfort and, if left untreated, lead to severe complications such as blindness. Common procedures in our veterinary practice include slit-lamp examinations, tonometry (eye pressure measurement), ophthalmoscopy, and eyelid surgeries. These diagnostic and treatment methods help us maintain the eye health of your animal and prevent further complications.

In ophthalmology, we offer specialized diagnostics and treatment for eye diseases in horses. Whether it's injuries, infections, or chronic eye problems – we provide swift relief and work to preserve your horse's vision. Our goal is to ensure the best possible care for your horse's eye health, helping to prevent further complications and maintain its well-being.

Die rektale Ultraschalluntersuchung bei Stuten ist eine unverzichtbare Methode in der modernen Pferdegynäkologie, da sie eine detaillierte und nicht-invasive Beurteilung ermöglicht. Sie hilft sowohl bei der Optimierung der Fortpflanzung als auch bei der Diagnose und Behandlung von Erkrankungen. Sie ermöglicht eine genaue Beurteilung der inneren Geschlechtsorgane und wird in verschiedenen Phasen des Reproduktionszyklus eingesetzt.

Clinical ultrasound diagnostics is a non-invasive method that allows us to gain detailed insight into the internal organs and tissues of animals. This technique is commonly used to diagnose conditions affecting soft tissues such as tumors, inflammation, or organ disorders. It is also valuable for monitoring pregnancies, examining joints, muscles, and tendons, as well as assessing heart and circulatory conditions. Clinical ultrasound diagnostics enables us to make fast and accurate diagnoses without subjecting your animal to invasive or painful procedures.

Reproductive medicine in horses includes the diagnostics, therapy, and care surrounding breeding, pregnancy, and birth. It is an essential aspect of horse husbandry and breeding to ensure the production of healthy foals and fertile breeding animals. Through specialized examinations, monitoring, and treatment, we support the reproductive health of mares and stallions, helping to optimize fertility, manage pregnancies, and ensure successful births. This comprehensive approach contributes to the overall health and success of the breeding process.

Hormonal treatments are frequently used in reproductive medicine for mares to regulate the estrous cycle, enhance fertility, or address specific reproductive issues. These treatments play a crucial role in optimizing breeding success and managing fertility disorders. By carefully adjusting hormone levels, we can address irregular cycles, support mares with conception difficulties, and ensure a healthy pregnancy. Hormonal therapy is key to improving reproductive health and achieving optimal breeding outcomes, contributing to the overall success of horse breeding programs.

A well-structured vaccination program and effective parasite management are essential to ensure the health of horses, prevent diseases, and maintain their performance. Vaccinations protect horses from serious infectious diseases and help reduce the spread of pathogens within horse populations. These programs should be tailored to the individual needs of the horse, its living conditions, and regional risks. Regular parasite control is equally important to prevent internal and external parasites that can compromise a horse's health. Together, these preventive measures contribute significantly to the overall well-being and longevity of horses.

Following vaccinations are administered:

1. Tetanus

   • Pathogen: Clostridium tetani
   • Risk: Life-threatening wound infection
   • Vaccination schedule:
     • Initial vaccination: 2 doses, 4-6 weeks apart, booster after 12 months
     • Booster: Every 2 years
       
       

2. Influenza

   • Pathogen: Equine influenza viruses
   • Risk: Highly contagious, respiratory illness
   • Vaccination schedule:
     • Initial vaccination: 3 doses (Day 0, 6 weeks, 5 months)
     • Booster: Every 6 months for competition horses (FEI requirement), otherwise annually
       
       

3. Herpes (Equine Herpesvirus, EHV-1/4)

   • Pathogen: EHV-1 (abortion, neurological form), EHV-4 (respiratory illness)
   • Vaccination schedule:
     • Initial vaccination: 2 doses, 4-6 weeks apart
     • Booster: Every 6 months
   • Recommendation: Especially for breeding mares and horses in large populations
     
     

4. West Nile Virus (WNV)

   • Pathogen: Arbovirus, transmitted by mosquitoes
   • Risk: Neurological symptoms, sometimes fatal
   • Vaccination schedule:
     • Initial vaccination: 2 doses, 3-5 weeks apart
     • Booster: Annually, preferably in spring

Parasite prophylaxis in horses is an essential part of healthcare, as parasites can significantly affect a horse's health, performance, and quality of life. Effective management involves a combination of targeted deworming, hygiene measures, and pasture management.

Important Parasite Species in Horses:

• Gastrointestinal Worms:

  • Small and large strongyles (Cyathostominae, Strongylus vulgaris)

• Roundworms:

  • Especially in young horses (Parascaris equorum)

• Tapeworms:

  • Anoplocephala perfoliata

• Stomach Worms:

  • Habronema muscae (summer sores)
  • Stomach bots (Gasterophilus intestinalis)

• Lungworms:

  • Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (common in mixed herds with donkeys)

• Skin Parasites:

  • Lice, mites, and mange

• Flies and Ticks:

  • Vectors of diseases such as summer sores or Lyme disease

Regular and targeted deworming, along with monitoring for skin parasites and fly infestations, are crucial for maintaining the well-being and health of horses.

1. Targeted Deworming:

• Fecal Sample Analysis: Regular testing (every 3 months) for worm eggs to determine the need for deworming treatment.

2. Strategic Deworming:

• Administration of Dewormers: Deworming treatments based on findings from fecal analysis.

3. Recommended Active Ingredients:

• Ivermectin: Effective against roundworms and stomach botflies.
• Moxidectin: Long-lasting, effective against encapsulated larvae.
• Pyrantel: Effective against tapeworms.
• Praziquantel: Specifically for tapeworms.

4. Pasture Management:

• Regular Manure Removal: Clean pastures at least twice a week.
• Pasture Rotation: Switching grazing areas to reduce infection pressure.
• Limiting Horse Numbers: Control the number of horses per hectare to prevent overcrowding.

5. Hygiene:

• Stable Cleanliness: Regular cleaning of stables, feeding, and water troughs.
• Avoiding Fecal Contact: Regular bedding changes to reduce exposure to manure.

6. Fly Control:

• Use of Fly Sprays, Sheets, and Traps: Reduce the fly population around horses.
• Minimizing Moist Areas: Eliminate breeding grounds for flies