Cosmetic Repair/Growth Removal

Dr. Winter takes pride in his surgical abilities. He is very skilled at suturing wounds and fixing minor defects. He often says, “I should have been a plastic surgeon”. There are a million reasons repairs are needed. Such as: a fresh injury, an old injury that was not properly cared for, or a growth/abnormality that is cosmetically unpleasant. Fresh injuries should be addressed as soon as possible to ensure the best results. If a wound is over 24 hours old, it is more difficult to repair and may take longer to heal. Dr. Winter will perform an exam and discuss treatment options.

Castration

Gelding of stallions, or as Dr. Winter calls it, “Brain Surgery”, can be performed on your farm or at CVS. A palpation is performed to confirm that both testicles have descended. The horse is given a sedative mixture, antibiotic injection and a tetanus vaccination (if not current). Dr. Winter prefers to do a standing castration, because he feels it is safer and easier for the horse. The complete procedure takes about 30 minutes. Post castration, owners need to monitor the incision site for abnormal swelling or discoloration. We recommend giving bute to help reduce pain and inflammation. CVS recommends exercising your horse twice daily for ten days. We will provide you with a post care instruction handout.

Cuts, Scrapes and Lacerations

Horses are fight or flight animals that are notorious for injuring themselves. There are many types of wounds — from abrasions and bruises to puncture wounds and lacerations. Proper care after the wound occurs will make a difference in how quickly it heals, and whether it may become career-ending or life-threatening.

Wounds that are more than a day old may not be able to be sutured because of contamination or dead/damaged tissue. There are differences between contaminated wounds and infected wounds. Contaminated wounds can be cleaned to wash away germs and dirt from the surface. Infected wounds have had time for the bacteria to penetrate the tissue and multiply.

Cold water is helpful in cleaning wounds. It sooths, reduces pain and swelling and flushes foreign material away. For dirty wounds, add a small amount of iodine to warm water and sponge it on the area. This helps to remove contaminates. To aid in the healing process, it is important to keep the wound clean and moist.

Lower leg injuries are more serious than they appear because there is no muscle to buffer the tendons and ligaments. Soft tissue injuries can affect the future soundness and use of the horse. If unsure about the severity of any cut or injury, we advise you call and schedule an appointment to have Dr. Winter examine the injury.

Navel Hernia Repair

A hernia is defined as a "protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening." During the development of the fetus, the abdominal wall surrounding the umbilicus is one of the last areas of the body wall to close. If the body wall does not completely close, a navel hernia may develop. Foals can be born with an umbilical hernia, or it may develop within the first week. Hernias may increase in size, and once they become too enlarged, it becomes difficult to repair them. If the intestine is within the hernia, digestive problems and damage may occur, resulting in colic. As soon as a hernia is detected, it’s recommended that Dr. Winter examine the foal.