Internal Medicine

Ashbrook Equine Hospital has an extensive range of facilities enabling us to provide a highly specialised medicine service both for the investigation and treatment of medical disorders. Common medical conditions investigated and treated at Ashbrook include respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, medical colics, diarrhoea, head shakers, liver and kidney disease, weight loss, cardiology and ophthalmological conditions, dental problems and sick foals.

We have state-of-the-art ultrasonography which is used extensively to visualise the abdomen in cases of weight loss, diarrhoea and medical colics. This machine can also be used to scan and monitor the heart in cardiology cases and visualise the lungs and thoracic cavity in cases of respiratory distress i.e. pleuropneumonia and Rhodoccocus Equi infection in foals. Ultrasound guided liver and biopsies can be performed, as well as comprehensive examination of the eye.

Video Endoscopy allows detailed examination of the respiratory tract along with Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) and Tracheal wash (TW). This is especially beneficial in cases of Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), Bronchopneumonia, Epistaxis, and guttural pouch mycosis.

Having our own Gastroscopy machine is invaluable in the early diagnosis and treatment of gastroduodenal ulceration, and is very useful in poor performance, weight loss and recurrent colic cases.

We hold Dermatology clinics once a month with visiting specialist; Sue Paterson MA Vet MB DVD DipECVD MRCVS RCVS and European specialist in Veterinary Dermatology. Intra-dermal allergy testing followed by immunisation vaccine are commonly performed at these clinics and can provide a good aid in treating horses suffering from allergic dermatitis.

With our intensive care stables, CCTV and facilities to provide fluid therapy, we are equipped to perform around the clock intensive nursing and constant observation of the critically ill patient. This provides vital care in post operative colics, diarrhoea cases, infectious diseases and sick foals.

We have our own in-house laboratory which is in use 24 hours a day. This forms a crucial component in the work up of a medical case and gives speedy results when we are treating critically ill patients in the middle of the night. We have a designated Isolation Unit which allows us to investigate and treat horses suffering from contagious diseases.