Troytown GreyAbbey is happy to accept referrals form veterinary surgeons around the country for a broad range of problems.  The hospital aims to provide a high level of experience and expertise coupled with good value for money.  It strives to inform owners and veterinarians of the range of options available for any problem and to tailor the diagnosis and treatment according to their wishes.

 

Colics are a common referral, and not all require surgery, but it is vital to get these animals early to the hospital for assessment.  If surgical intervention is required the sooner it is done the better.  [Read more]

 

Lameness diagnosis can range from a simple examination with a hoof tester to a detailed MRI scan.  Bone scanning has also proven to be an invaluable aid in the diagnosis of back, pelvis and hind limb injuries.  It shows up many conditions not visualised by radiography.  Troytown GreyAbbey has in-house and mobile digital x-ray units and has installed a high frequency gantry mounted Toshiba system for x-ray of backs shoulders and hip.  There are a range of specialist high acuity ultrasonographic machines for detailed imaging of soft tissue structures.  These give the very best quality images currently available.

 

The diagnosis of upper respiratory or wind problems in horses has been revolutionised by the introduction of dynamic endoscopy.  The installation of the high speed treadmill in 2002 revealed numerous conditions previously not recognised.  Troytown GreyAbbey has worked with a German engineering firm to eventually develop a saddle based overground endoscopy system with a high powered light source and moveable controls.  This system gives superb images while horses are been worked on the gallops.  However, the treadmill is certainly not redundant, as we have found it to be more accurate in many cases for diagnosis, than working on the gallops.  Therefore, although three quarters of our dynamic endoscopies are done on the gallops a quarter are still being done on the treadmill.

 

The treatment of lameness has advanced hugely in the last decade ranging from shockwave therapy and mesothearpy to biological and sophisticated techniques in ultrasongraphic guided joint injections. Arthroscopic and screw fixations are all provided for.  There is special swing saver sling mechanisms for supporting horses with laminitis and the use of special wooden clogs in laminitics has been invaluable.

 

Reproduction services have always been very important for both the thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred population. Treatments vary from laparoscopic flushing of oviducts and electro-cautery removal of intra-uterine cysts to the introduction of the new Equilume mask for light therapy.  The hospital offers stallion semen assessment alongside frozen and chilled artificial insemination.

 

The foal intensive care unit has been carefully designed for the best management of sick foals, whilst maintaining the bond between mare and foal, and is run by a highly experienced medical team equipped with every necessary monitoring gadget and treatment regime.

 

Professor Celia Marr has recently been appointed as a consultant to the team.  She is one of the world’s most experienced equine medicine specialists and is the editor of the Equine veterinary journal, the pre-eminent horse veterinary scientific publication in the world.  Although based in England she visits the hospital on a regular basis and is always available for phone and internet consultation. 

 

The new laboratory at the hospital is state of the art and equipped to test for a wide range of parameters.  It works in coordination with many laboratories around the world including the world famous Irish Equine Centre.  The advantages of having our own laboratory is that results can be obtained fairly quickly, 24 hours per day, all year round, in emergency cases.

 

Cardiac ultrasonographic and electrocardiograms and exercise ECG's can also be performed at the hospital.