Latest news

1. New Surgery for "Kissing Spines" Over a year ago

   Pain in the back region of racing thoroughbreds is not uncommon and can result in lameness and poor performance.   Most horses with sore backs don’t want to stretch out properly, have a shortened hind limb “action” and may even buck when being ridden.  There are multiple causes which include muscle strain, ligament injury, spinal and joint disease. The diagnosis of the cause of back pain can be difficult but includes palpation, nerve blocks, radiography (x-ray), ultrasonography and nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan). At the Ballarat Veterinary Practice over 250 horses have a bone scan every year and one of the more common findings in horses presented for evaluation of back pain or poor performance is dorsal spinous impingement of the thoracolumbar vertebrae.  This is commonly known as “kissing spines”. In horses that have “kissing spines” the normal gaps between the spines (see Figure 1) are no longer present and the spines “rub” or knock into each other causing pain when the horse is exercising. Some horses tolerate this without problems and even may have abnormal x-rays. Other horses however can get very painful backs, show reduced muscle mass (atrophy) along the “top line” and diagnostic tests such as x-rays, bone scan and nerve blocks need to be used to confirm that “kissing spines” is indeed the problem.

    

   Please see the first THREE figures in the media panel at left of screen

    

   Traditional therapy for the pain caused by this condition includes local pain relieving injections, shock wave, massage and alteration in training methods.  While these treatments can be successful they don’t often last.  Due to our frustration with this therapy we have started to surgically remove the tops of the offending spines which are rubbing (Figure 4).

   This surgery was first reported by surgeons in Europe mainly on sport horses but we have begun operating on racing thoroughbreds to see if we can achieve a more permanent cure. The surgery is performed in the standing sedated horse and so avoiding the risks of a general anaesthetic. It takes three months before exercise can begin and it will probably take 6 months before horses are back in full work. 

   The ideal candidate is a young proven horse where no other performance limiting condition exists, the diagnosis is confirmed and plenty of time for recovery is possible. The results in sport horses indicate approximately 72% of horses returned to full work without back pain.  The success in racing thoroughbreds is not yet known but this technique offers promise for a longer lasting resolution to the pain that is stopping good racehorses from competing.

    

   Please see the FOURTH figure in the media panel at the left of screen

    

   For further information regarding this surgery, please contact Dr Brian Anderson at the equine clinic

2. New Tie-back Surgical Technique for "Roarers" Over a year ago

   In the first week of March Dr Ian Fulton travelled to Paris to attend the European College of Veterinary Surgeons workshop on upper respiratory tract surgery in horses. The conference was held at Maison Alfort Veterinary School, the second oldest Veterinary School in the world. The meeting was a combination of morning lectures covering the most recent research on new surgical techniques for operating on the respiratory tract concentrating on the larynx and soft palate. The afternoons were spent performing the new techniques under the tutelage of 3 of the top European equine surgeons.

   Of particular interest was a new method for performing the “tie-back” surgery otherwise known as a laryngeal prosthesis for horses affected with “roaring” (laryngeal hemiplegia). This new technique uses small titanium implants to allow more reliable placement of the prosthetic suture and also reduce the chance of loosening of the implant that is frequently seen with the existing method.

   With this new technique the outcome for trainers will be more reliable. In the past the tie-back surgery often started out well but over time there could be a drop in of the affected cartilage reducing the distance horses could race over and ultimate winning of races.

   While the Ballarat Veterinary Practice is known for performing the nerve graft procedure for “roarers”, the tie-back is frequently also used for older horses and those race horses where there is a shorter window of opportunity for them to resume racing. The most common age to perform the nerve graft is in yearling and 2 year old horses when there is adequate time for reinnervation take place.

3. New Chief Operating Officer Over a year ago

    

   After 6 years of fantastic service Mr Michael Scarlett is leaving the practice for greener pastures. The Partners of the Ballarat Veterinary Practice are pleased to announce the commencement of Mr Paul Dempsey who will be the new Chief Operating Officer for the practice. He will officially start on Tuesday October 25 and will work with Michael for the following 2-3 weeks to “learn the ropes”.  Welcome Paul and good luck Michael. We will be having a few “cups of tea” with Michael over the next few weeks to say thanks for a job well done and so long. In the mean time below you can read a little about our new man. 

    

   Paul comes to BVP with over 15 years experience in senior management and leadership roles in the Agribusiness and retail sectors. With skills in general and operations management, Paul is a commercial business leader who adopts a pragmatic, hands-on approach. Originally from the Canberra region, much of Paul's experience has been gained throughout many areas of NSW including the New England, Hunter Valley and Southern NSW regions before moving to Ballarat nearly 10 years ago with his wife and family.

    

   Paul has a degree in Agriculture from the University of Western Sydney, a Masters in Business Administration from the University of New England and more recently has completed the Advanced Management Program through the University of Melbourne's Mt Eliza Business School.

    

   Paul is a keen local cricketer and self confessed DIYer and enjoys spending time with his family and staying fit with long distance running.    

4. Practice of Excellence Over a year ago

   We are extremely proud to annouce that the Ballarat Veterinary Practice Equine Centre is the winner of the Large Animal Practice of Excellence Award for 2011. The Award is open to all practices in the country and is judged by the Australian Veterinary Association.

5. Euan Laidlaw Joins our veterinary team Over a year ago

   Euan was born and raised in Ayrshire, Scotland around working dogs and mixed farming before being accepted to the University of Glasgow Vet School in 2006.  During his studies Euan developed an interest in horses while preparing Thoroughbred yearlings for sale and conducting a research project on the diagnosis of wobblers disease in America.  As part of his final year Euan spent 2months working at different equine referral hospitals in Australia.  Euan has ridden trackwork and is especially keen to work with racing and other performance horses; while aspiring to complete a residency in equine surgery.  Outside of work Euan takes every opportunity to go skiing, play his bagpipes, and is hoping to improve his surfing whilst here in Australia.