News Archive
December 2011
Milbourn Vets help Etna the Rhino
Milbourn vets Howard Newitt & Alasdair Graham were recently called in to help a female Black Rhino at Port Lympne Zoo with choke suspected to be due to a carrot! The Rhino, called Etna, was distressed and producing large volumes of saliva which is the characteristic symptom of choke in horses and Rhinos. The zoo vet administered sedation whilst Howard and Alasdair investigated the blockage with our video-endoscope . This was followed up by passing a stomach tube up her nose and into her oesophagus to flush out any loose food material and provide lubrication to the obstruction. Following the procedure, Etna was given pain-killers, muscle relaxants to help the obstruction to pass and antibiotics and spent the night “nil by mouth”. She was much improved the following day and has gone on to make a full recovery.
Nick Mills Memorial Lecture 2011
Howard Newitt and David McDonald attended the third Nick Mills lecture held again at the Lloyds of London Library. This event which is run by the Lloyds bloodstock committee provides one of the few opportunities for leading equine vets and insurers to meet.
This year’s lecture was given by Professor Derek Knottenbelt from the University of Liverpool Equine Hospital. Derek recalled many collaborations with Nick particularly in the area of wound healing which was a subject of great interest to them both. The main body of the lecture was on Professor Knottenbelt’s current research area of headshaking for which an association with EHV is proposed and this condition may be analogous with trigeminal neuralgia in people.
The lecture concluded with impassioned pleas for better relations between insurers and the veterinary profession and also further support for the ‘Horsepower’ charitable campaign of which Derek Knottenbelt is a leading figure.
Dynamic Endoscopy
We have recently acquired the ability to offer dynamic over ground endoscopy either at our clinic or your premises or gallops. Dynamic endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure for use in horses that make a respiratory noise (roar/whistle) and/or show poor performance.
The equipment uses an endoscope passed up the nose as for conventional respiratory endoscopy but in this case the endoscope is attached to a custom made bridle and transmits images to a remotely held monitor. The horse is then exercised under the same conditions that normally produce the noise/poor performance.
This technique allows us to diagnose conditions that occur at exercise which are impossible to detect with standard resting endoscopy. We are therefore better able to offer the most effective treatment based upon accurate diagnosis.
For further details please contact any one of the clinics.
Christmas Gift Vouchers
Run out of Christmas present ideas?
Milbourn Equine are pleased to announce that we are selling Christmas Gift vouchers this year.
A great gift idea for the animal lover in your life. These vouchers can be redeemed against all products and services we offer, including routine preventative health care such as vaccinations, teeth rasping and worm egg counts or just to pay off a veterinary bill.
These vouchers are available from all Milbourn Equine branches in denominations of £5, £10 and £20 and are valid until the end of 2012.
November - 2011
ATYPICAL MYOPATHY
We had two cases of this seasonal disease recently in East Sussex and there are reports of cases in West Sussex and Hampshire. The disease essentially causes a severe bout of azoturia/tying up which is not related to exercise and occurs in horses at grass. Signs to watch out for include muscular stiffness/reluctance to move, lethargy, colic/distress & dark urine. This condition requires prompt treatment so contact the practice if you are concerned about your horse. Further details can be found on the following website from the University of Liege who are researching this condition:
http://www.myopathieatypique.fr/en/
Acorn Poisoning
We have seen several cases of acorn poisoning in the last couple of weeks. We would like to ensure that all clients are aware of the toxic effects of consuming acorns and the best way to protect your horse from this horrible condition. Read more
October 2011
EQUINE FLU DIAGNOSED IN EAST SUSSEX
We have just heard that Equine Flu has been diagnosed in East Sussex.
We recommend that if your horse has not been vaccinated, it is worth starting vaccinations now. If he or she is fully vaccinated, but hasn’t had a vaccine within the last six months, it is worth considering give a booster. To monitor your horse for equine flu, please watch for any nasal discharge, fever or going “off feed”. Please be careful taking your horse’s temperature – we don’t want anyone injured if your horse objects to the procedure.
Please call your nearest Milbourn Equine clinic with any queries or concerns that you might have.
Ashford 01233 500505 Hawkhurst 01580 752301 Rye 01797 222265
We will endeavour to keep you informed as we hear more. Click here for more information.
September and October - £15 off Cushings testing
Equine Cushing’s Disease is the most common hormonal disorder of older horses and ponies. We understand that over 15% of horses and ponies over 15 years of age are affected. Read More
Autumn Health Evening
30th September 2011 - click here to find out more.
August 2011
Milbourn Equine provided four vets on duty at Chilham Park Horse Trials on 13/14th August 2011. Sarah Emptage, Claudia Patricio, Nicky Kerbyson & Kate Davison represented the practice to provide veterinary care to any horse injuries although thankfully there were no serious injuries. We are the regular yard vets for Chilham Park and are pleased to be associated with their successful Horse Trials. Further details on Chilham Park can be found at www.chilhampark.co.uk
July 2011
Brightling International Horse trials were held on 16th/17th July and we provided both treating vets (David McDonald, Kate Davison & Alasdair Graham) and an FEI vet (Howard Newitt). Brightling is an important stepping stone for up and coming horses and we are proud to be associated with the Horse trials in their 25th anniversary year.
Howard Newitt & David McDonald were FEI vet and treating vet at the recent Bodiam CRI reining event which is part of the Garden of England circuit and hosts competitors from all over the UK & Europe.
Milbourn Equine are pleased to be involved in the following evening at Golden Cross Equestrian Centre,
Friday 29th July at
7.15pm
An Evening with Team Sam Penn & her Sponsors Fit to Ride?
Find out more
April 2011
Catsfield Point to Point - The fifth race, ran in memory of the late Nick Mills - read more
