Equine Surgery

What are some common equine surgeries?

In this section, we’ll explore a short list of some of the most common equine surgeries. There are many other types of equine surgery, but these occur most frequently.

Orthopedic Surgery

We offer a variety of solutions and treatments for your horse's orthopedic issues, including orthopedic surgery. We understand that orthopedic problems can be a challenge for both horses and horse owners so we are dedicated to working with you and communicating with you throughout the process.

Orthopedic surgery can be needed any time there is a problem with the joints, limbs, or connective tissues in your horse's fetlocks, knees, hocks, stifles, or other joints. We are proud to offer orthopedic surgery services for the South Texas communities.

Soft Tissue Surgery

We are proud to offer surgical procedures for injuries and conditions to the soft tissue of your horses's body. Common surgical procedures include: neuroctomy ( for navicular disease), tracheostomy, "tie-back" surgery (for "roarers"), and surgery to correct epiglottic entrapment. We are also equipped to perform procedures like enucleation, tumor debulking (removal with chemotherapy treatment locally), and cryptorchid castration, just to name a few. We utilize diagnostic imaging techniques like video endoscopy, ultrasound and contrast-imaging radiology to enhance our capabilities for soft tissue surgery, ensuring that your horse has access to the highest standard of veterinary medicine.

Our surgical team is highly trained and experienced in soft tissue orthopedic procedures, so you can rest assured that your horse is in good hands. We promise to communicate with you throughout the process, and make your horse's surgery as stress-free as possible.

Abdominal Surgery

Horses who have severely swollen abdomens, ruptured intestine, or intestinal blockage may require abdominal surgery. This type of surgery is more routine in horses than in other animals but is still a more invasive procedure than many of the other most common ones listed here.

Fracture Repair Surgery

When a horse breaks a bone, he may need surgery to repair and set it as best as possible. The severity and location of the break will determine whether or not surgery is a possibility, and if so, how invasive it needs to be.

Laceration Repair

If a horse becomes injured with a deep laceration or other type of open wound, he may need surgery to repair the damage. This may even include skin grafting in some situations, although this is less common than more traditional methods of laceration repair. This type of surgery is often not very invasive

Eye Surgery

If a horse’s eye is injured or becomes badly infected, he may need to have eye surgery. Horses may also sometimes receive surgery for cataracts, depending on the specific situation and the individual horse. Eye surgery is considered an elective surgery in most instances and is minimally invasive.

Mass Removal

Horses who have a mass that may or may not be cancerous should have it removed. Mass removal from the outside of the horse’s body, such as masses on the skin or just under the skin, are minimally invasive. Removal of internal masses can require a more intense surgical procedure.

What conditions warrant surgery in horses?

Colic

A horse with severe colic may suffer from a badly distended abdomen and may, in extreme cases, have a ruptured intestine because of it. In this case, horses will require immediate emergency surgery to assess the damage and repair any problems that have occurred due to the colic.

Birth

When a foal is born, it is at risk for some health complications that may require immediate emergency surgery, such as strangulating hernia. This can also happen to the mare, who may also sometimes suffer a ruptured bladder during the birthing process. Mares may also need C-sections, which are another type of surgery.

Birth defects

If a horse is born with a birth defect, such as limbs that are not aligned correctly,surgery may be able to repair the problem. Your veterinarian will check over the foal in question thoroughly to determine whether or not surgery is a viable solution for the issue.

Tendon or ligament injury

Horses who suffer from injuries to their tendons or ligaments will likely need surgery in order to correct these problems. They will also need follow-up care and treatment such as chiropractic therapy or other types of physical therapy. Injuries such as these are very common in horses, so the surgeries to correct them are fairly routine.

Cancer

If a horse has cancer, or if your veterinarian suspects that a mass is cancerous, it will need to be removed. Cancer as well as benign tumors and growths on a horse’s body account for many of the surgeries performed on horses annually.

Remember that the lists above are not exhaustive ones. There may be a variety of other problems that can cause your horse to require surgery. Your vet will be your best source of information on this topic, and will likely provide you with everything you need to know when choosing whether or not to proceed with surgery to treat your horse’s condition or injury.

The more you understand about equine surgery, the more easily you will be able to make that decision if the time ever comes. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask your veterinarian or other horse owners in your area for more information

For More Information...

Retama Equine Hospital practices the highest level of medicine and care, so you can rest assured that your horse is in good hands with our surgical team. We are proud to have an experienced and knowledgeable team that is trained to provide your horse with the best care possible.

If you have any questions about our surgical procedures, would like to learn more about how we can care for your horse, or if you are a referring veterinarian, please contact us today at (210) 651-6375.