Vermont Large Animal Clinic has three equipped trucks
to provide full service care for your horses in a field setting. Our
patients include show, performance, pleasure, trail, and even retirees!
Our comprehensive ambulatory services include primary care, preventative
medicine and vaccinations, new foal wellness exams, lameness and
pre-purchase examinations, reproductive services, and dental procedures.
We also perform regular re-examinations of horses after discharge from
our hospital so we can assure that patients are continuing with their
progress. Diagnostically we have the ability to perform radiographic
(X-ray), and ultrasonography examinations in the field when necessary.
Doctors are available for 24-hour emergency coverage within our practice
area.
Lameness evaluation is a major part of the hospital
caseload. Lameness workups are done in the field as well as at the
hospital. Diagnostic imaging is an exciting area of growth in the
practice of equine medicine and surgery. VLAC - Equine Hospital offers the latest in
equine radiography with it's new EKLIN digital X-ray System. This allows
our veterinarian to obtain excellent quality radiographs, including the
neck, shoulder, head, stifle and withers. The basics of diagnostic
workups such as nerve blocks, flexion tests, physical exam, and gait
analysis are performed routinely at VLAC - Equine Hospital.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave
therapy (portable)
Extracorporeal
shockwave therapy
is a relatively new method
of treatment for lameness in horses. Shockwaves have been used in humans
for over 20 years for the treatment of kidney stones and orthopedic
diseases such as stress fractures, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis (heel
pain), and non-union fractures. Shockwaves are high-energy sound waves,
which are transmitted to the affected body part. There, they enhance
healing by trigger natural repair mechanisms. Shockwaves have been shown
to stimulate bone formation, healing of tendons and ligaments and
produce marked analgesia (pain relief). Shockwave therapy constitutes a
new modality for treating lameness of horses, and is useful for a number
of conditions causing lameness in the horse: suspensory ligament
disease, bowed tendons, ringbone, bone spavin, splints, sore backs,
navicular syndrome, and delayed or non-healing fractures.
Medicine
The facility at Vermont Large Animal Clinic allows
our veterinarians and staff to provide in depth medical and
hospitalization services. We have eight indoor stalls, including one for
isolating horses with infectious diseases. We are fully able to
provide work-ups and treatment for medical colic, respiratory disease,
ill neonates, and many other problems. We have an in-house laboratory
where we monitor basic blood values for critical patients, as well as a
reference laboratory where we receive complete blood count’s and blood
chemistry results within 12-24 hours. Advanced diagnostics including
endoscopy and ultrasound are routinely used to evaluate complex medical
cases. An endoscope is a video scope that allows the veterinarian
to visualize structures in the upper respiratory tract, urethra bladder, and uterus. Our video endoscope is equipped with a
monitor to allow clients to see structures during the exam, as well as
record images for records and consultations. This technology is
especially useful in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric ulcers
in horses. Ultrasound technology can assist in the diagnosis and
monitoring of various conditions in the horse. Soft tissue
ultrasonography plays an important role in diagnosing medical problems
including pneumonia, abdominal pain, umbilical infections, bladder
conditions, masses and swellings, early pregnancies and late term fetal
monitoring.
Pre-purchase exams
Pre-purchase exams are routinely performed by the staff veterinarians at
VLAC - Equine Hospital. A through soundness and physical exam is complimented by advanced
diagnostic equipment at VLAC - Equine Hospital. Radiography, ultrasonography,
video endoscopy, and complete laboratory services. A large number of
pre-purchase exams are performed annually for a large variety of equine
disciplines.
Reproduction
Our
philosophy at Vermont Large Animal Clinic is to provide high quality
individualized care and attention to mares and foals here at our clinic.
We feel that this is the best way to maximize reproductive success.
Reproductive services are also available on an ambulatory basis. We
provide a wide range of services for both mares. Please call us with
questions regarding your specific needs.
Surgery
Surgical services
provided by Vermont Large Animal Clinic include video assisted
arthroscopy, general orthopedics, soft tissue surgery including colic
surgery, reproductive surgery, dental surgery and a wide
variety
of routine and emergency procedures. The surgeries are performed by Dr.
William Valentino and Dr. Philip D. van Harreveld who are Board Certified in Equine Surgery.
The surgical suite is complete with a hydraulic table, gas anesthesia
with positive pressure ventilation, blood pressure monitoring, EKG,
blood gas monitoring, medical and emergency support, padded recovery
room, climate control, and a wide variety of other medical and surgical
equipment.
Acupuncture
Dr. Emilie Beaupré offers our equine clients
acupuncture services to help horses suffering from back pain, muscle
soreness, orthopedic ailments amongst other problems. A caring and
objective approach to acupuncture by Dr. Emilie provides our patients an
alternative to traditional medicine.
services. Including colic surgery, we are able to handle most cases
either at your farm or at our hospital facilities. To reach a
veterinarian for an emergency, just call our office phone number during
working hours (802-893-6800) or the emergency answering service (802)
860-8266 after hours and they will page us.
