Surgical Services
There are times when surgery is in the best interest of your horse. If that time should arise, you can feel confident entrusting the surgical team at the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center with your horse's health.
The Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center's surgery unit is headed by board-certified surgeons and provides 24 hour surgical coverage. Our surgeons are assisted by a team of well-trained surgical technicians and anesthetists to provide excellent care for any emergency or elective procedure. Although we are known as the premiere colic referral center in the tri-state area, we also specialize in arthroscopic, orthopedic, laparoscopic and upper respiratory surgery.
For your horse's complete safety and comfort, we offer two state-of-the-art surgical suites. One surgical suite is used for surgeries with the highest risk of contamination, such as colic or abdominal surgeries. The other surgical suite is used for sterile surgical procedures such as orthopedic and upper respiratory tract surgeries. We work hard to ensure each surgical procedure is completed according to the highest surgical standards, and is as stress-free as possible for you and your horse.
Our board-certified surgical equine veterinarians, Dr. Janik Gasiorowski, Dr. Jessie Tyma and Dr. Singen Elliott, perform a wide range of elective and emergency surgeries.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a thin, lighted tube inserted through a small incision. Laparoscopy is can be used to evaluate your horse's intestines, lungs and chest cavity, abdominal cavity, ovaries, or to obtain tissue samples for biopsy. The technology represents the latest advancement in minimally invasive surgery for equine patients. The advantages of minimally invasive surgery include shorter recovery times, fewer complications and in many cases, better outcomes.
The evolution of laparoscopic technology, including better optics and light and advancements in durability, make it especially well-suited to handle the rigors of equine surgery. Furthermore, the tiny incisions required virtually eliminate intra-operative bleeding and reduce post-operative pain. In many cases, general anesthesia is no longer required; most of these surgeries are performed under sedation and local anesthesia. From improved cosmetic results to more rapid return to function, laparoscopy has much to offer.
Our surgeons have years of experience with laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery. In addition to having managed a variety of cases with this technology, they have taught the use of laparoscopic techniques to interns, residents and aspiring surgeons.
The Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center is proud to offer these equine services to you and the horses under your care. Horses are fasted for 24 hours (water is not withheld) prior to surgery and most leave the hospital less than 24 hours after surgery.
Anesthesia
Ensuring the health and safety of your horse during surgery is our utmost concern and requires an anesthetic and monitoring regimen that adheres to the highest principles and ideals of quality care. Our veterinarians and surgical technicians utilize a multi-parameter monitoring and anesthesia system to ensure your horse's safety during surgery.
Prior to undergoing anesthesia, your horse is examined and a pre-surgical blood screen is performed. The results of these tests and your horse's breed, preexisting conditions, age and the duration of the procedure to be performed are all used to create an individualized injectable and inhalant anesthesia protocol. During surgery, your horse is carefully monitored by a well-trained, experienced veterinary technician using our state-of-the-art monitoring technology, which tracks blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and oxygen level.
Postoperative Care
Attentive and skilled care following surgery is vital for your horse's safe recovery. All horses are carefully monitored and assisted by our trained staff during recovery from anesthesia in a well-padded room.
Once the patient no longer needs advanced medical care, monitoring or intravenous medication, your horse will be discharged from the hospital with a detailed report. The report will include the diagnosis, description of the work-up, diagnostic results and most importantly, detailed instructions for after-care. Activity restriction will be predicated on the procedure performed and the horse's stage of recovery. You will be asked to monitor your horse's temperature, appetite and manure production. Many horses may require antibiotics and/or other medications in the post-operative period and we will discuss with you personally the route of administration and any potential side effects before your horse goes home. Occasionally you may need to perform bandage changes or apply topical dressings. We will demonstrate these procedures for you if needed.
Our goal is to get your horse home to you as quickly as possible. They will leave once they are healthy enough and you feel confident in your (or your barn's) ability to perform the necessary aftercare. If you have any questions or concerns, you can speak with a doctor twenty-four hours a day. In the event you are not comfortable with the necessary after care, or your schedule does not allow it, we can recommend local lay-up facilities that work closely with our doctors to ensure your horse receives the best and most appropriate care possible after leaving our equine medical facility.