We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and have a large team of on call veterinary surgeons and nursing staff to deal with any type of colic or emergency situation.

 

A deposit will be required on admission of the horse to the hospital and this will be discussed by the duty veterinary surgeon.  Always try and bring the horses’ passport. 

 

Colic is a potentially fatal disease for horses.  Accurate diagnosis and treatment in the field is not always possible and early referral is essential.  Rapid decision-making and proper pre-referral preparation of the patient can save lives.  Information gathered at time of examination pre-referral should be communicated in full to the duty vet.  Always include a full list of medications administered and the time of administration.  Pre-travelling preparation such as placement of a nasogastric tube for decompression is preferable, and this can be discussed with the duty veterinarian at the time (the tube can be taped in place for travelling).  Sedatives, NSAIDS or antibiotics if warranted should be given.  We recommend that it is best to transport the horse to the hospital as soon as the decision for referral has been made.

 

Full doses of flunixin meglumine should be used in caution in colic cases which are potential candidates for referral to the hospital.  Flunixin meglumine is a very potent painkiller and can mask the signs of colic and endotoxaemia in many instances.  This can delay prompt referral and surgery.