At Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital we try to serve all of your horses’ needs. For basic health care we offer specific vaccine protocols, deworming programs and nutritional advice for the individual horse or large farm. We also provide equine dentistry services ranging from routine floating to major corrective procedures. For emergencies, we have a doctor on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more complicated procedures, Pilchuck is proud to have the latest equipment available within its expanded facility. Both portable and in-house radiology equipment allows us to take radiographs (x-rays) of all parts of the equine skeleton. Our ultrasound capabilities allow us to visualize the chest and abdomen in addition to pregnancies and tendons. A video endoscope is on hand to evaluate airway and gastrointestinal problems. By utilizing our shock wave therapy unit, we are able to promote healing of soft tissue and bone injuries that have not responded fully to conventional therapies. In addition, we also staff a full laboratory, which gives us quick turn-around times on blood work, bacterial cultures, and Coggins tests.

Because of our size, Pilchuck is able to provide special services to the equine community. Our hospital is equipped to handle both elective and emergency surgeries, and treat complicated medical cases. Our reproduction center provides stallion and mare care including semen evaluation and freezing, embryo transfer and fertility problem solving. For those looking for other options, we also offer a full range of alternative medicine including chiropractic, acupuncture, and herbal medicine evaluations and treatment.

Equine Referral Hospital Pilchuck provides veterinary services for horses at the farm (ambulatory) or at our Snohomish hospital on either an outpatient or inpatient basis. The equine hospital consists of one surgical suite with two induction/recovery stalls, two large treatment areas with stocks, a complete in-house laboratory and pharmacy, three critical care stalls, two isolation stalls, and 14 general medical and post-surgical stalls in our newly completed barn. Approximately 1000 horses are seen at the hospital each year as outpatients or inpatients. The staff performs an average of 250-300 elective and emergency surgeries with general anesthesia each year.

Save time when you get to the hospital by filling out the admission forms ahead of time: Admission Agreement » Client Information » Patient History Form »

For more in depth discussions visit the health topics for horses in the Animals section or explore some of the links in our Resources section.

Alternative Medicine
Breeding & Reproductive Health
Dentistry
Deworming
Emergencies
Endoscopy
Hospital
Laboratory
Lameness
Nutrition
Pre-Purchase Exams
Radiology
Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)
Surgery
Ultrasound
Wellness & Preventive Medicine

Alternative Medicine Many forms of therapy fall into the broad category of alternative medicine. Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital provides chiropractic, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as alternatives to standard veterinary care. Alternative care is most often asked for in cases where conventional, or Western medicine fails in its ability to diagnose or treat a medical condition. Side effects of conventional medication will sometimes make treatment more dangerous than the disease, for example, stomach problems created by anti-inflammatory medication.

Chiropractic care is used for cases of poor performance, back pain or when subtle lameness is present. Acupuncture is commonly used for pain relief as well as the management of more complex medical conditions. Herbal medicine is useful in diseases that are difficult for conventional medicine to categorize and/or treat such as immune system disorders or chronic organ disease. Herbal formulas can often replace or reduce the dose of common pharmaceuticals.
More information about alternative medicine

Breeding & Reproductive Health The services offered by Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital for your horse’s reproductive health can be divided into mare, stallion and foal. Mare breeding services include breeding soundness examinations (which include a complete history, physical examination and reproductive examination), uterine cultures, endometrial biopsies, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, pregnancy diagnosis, twin reduction, and high-risk pregnancy management. A custom breeding program can be designed to meet your needs whether you plan to use live cover under low intensity management or need the specialized monitoring necessary for insemination with frozen semen. Services are provided on the farm or on a haul in basis to the Puget Sound Equine Reproduction Center (PSERC) at Puget Sound Farms in Snohomish. Stallion services include breeding soundness examinations, live cover, training to the phantom, semen collection and evaluation, and testing semen for use as fresh-cooled (Equitainer) or for freezing. These services are provided at PSERC on a haul in basis.

Foal services include advice on managing the late term mare, ambulatory or hospital service for foaling problems, routine post-natal care for the normal neonate and intensive hospital care for the sick neonate. At the 24-hour post foaling examination, the mare is assessed for any trauma induced by foaling – don’t forget to save the placenta for examination. The foal is given a physical exam and blood is drawn to check immunoglobulin levels to assess passive transfer of antibodies from the mare to the foal in the colostrum. This is a good time to discuss preventive health care for your foal’s first year with your veterinarian.
More information about the breeding center

Dentistry Recent developments of practical motorized dental equipment have stimulated a large new interest in the benefits of proper equine dentistry. Veterinary schools and equine dental associations are educating and training veterinarians in dentistry for horses. Frequently observed conditions that may bring your horse to the dentist are weight loss, or trouble chewing. More subtle indications for dentistry such as head shaking, lameness, or unusual aggressive behavior are also seen. Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital is able to offer both mobile and in clinic equine dentistry for your horse. More information

Deworming
Deworming is an important component of a well-rounded health maintenance program for your horse. A regular deworming program should be tailored to your horse’s environment to help prevent future illness. Pilchuck’s in-house laboratory performs fecal examinations to identify any potential threats to your horse from parasites, or if your current dewormning program is adequate. Pilchuck veterinarians can help you design a deworming program suited to your horse’s environment and lifestyle.



Emergencies
If this is an emergency call 360-568-3111 or 800-208-9192 immediately. Our operator will page the veterinarian on call. If you are in doubt as to whether or not you have an emergency, call.

The most common question asked of this practice is "What exactly is an emergency situation?" Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. Some horse owners with more experience may feel comfortable treating many common ailments on their own or with a little guidance from their veterinarian. However, there are some situations that will almost always need immediate attention:

1. Colic – colic pain that persists or worsens after 30 minutes of hand-walking.
2. Eyes – eye injuries can go from bad to worse very quickly and should be seen as soon as possible.
3. Gaping wounds – cuts that need to be stitched should be stitched within the "golden period" of 8-12 hours for the best chance of healing.
4. Severe lameness – horses that can barely walk may have something as simple as a foot abscess, but could also have a fracture or severe infection. Either way, a horse in that much pain should be seen quickly.
5. Down horses – any horse that cannot rise on its own may be in serious trouble.
6. Obstetrics – mares having difficulty foaling, or foals that don’t appear to be healthy should be seen as soon as possible.
7. Choke or esophageal obstructions – don’t let the sun set on a choke. If you see feed material coming from their nose or green nasal discharge remove all food and water and call the vet.

Two more pieces of advice: a horse’s temperature can be a very helpful piece of information. Keep a thermometer handy and have a recent reading available to tell the vet on call. And always, if you are in doubt as to whether or not you have an emergency, call.



Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a useful tool for performing upper airway exams and diagnosing cases of choke, stomach ulcers, and bladder stones.

Hospital It is a universal fact: no one likes to go to the hospital, but we’re all very glad they are there when we need one! Pilchuck’s equine hospital services horses, camelids (llamas and alpacas) and small ruminants (goats and sheep) on both an outpatient and inpatient basis. All types of outpatient services can be provided on a haul-in basis at the hospital. Outpatient services range from a quick Coggins test to an in depth pre-purchase examination, or any type of veterinary service that you would receive on an ambulatory call. This is particularly helpful when seeking a controlled environment for certain procedures like a cerebrospinal tap or simply to have your radiographs developed and evaluated immediately. We provide inpatient services for any animal requiring ongoing veterinary care that may be difficult or impossible to provide on the farm. This may include surgical cases or medical cases requiring intensive care and monitoring. Our hospital is staffed to provide the highest quality, 24-hour care to your animal. Licensed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and equine veterinarians provide hands-on nursing care and monitoring to help your horse recover from surgery, whether it is a straight forward knee chip removal or a complicated colic. Our facility is uniquely equipped to handle equine emergencies 365 days a year. An on-call surgical team including a surgeon, assistant surgeon, anesthetist, and surgery technician are always on call for any surgical emergency. We see colics, chokes, lacerations, dystocias (difficult birth), fractures and a variety of other problems that simply cannot wait until morning. Many cases are referred to Pilchuck by equine ambulatory veterinarians from throughout the Puget Sound area. You do not have to be referred to the hospital but you must call first to assure that our team is on-site and not already in surgery when you roll in the driveway.

The ability to provide quality round the clock care for critical cases is one of the benefits that only a hospital with a large team of dedicated professionals can provide.

Save time when you get to the hospital by filling out the admission forms ahead of time:

• Admission Agreement »
• Client Information »
• Patient History Form »

Laboratory
Tests on blood, urine, stool or tissue can be very helpful in diagnosing both illness and health. Pilchuck’s in-house lab can run complete blood counts (CBCs), serum chemistry, and urinalysis to diagnose or monitor the progress of disease. We also offer Coggins tests, which provides quick turn around times for horses leaving the state. For less common tests and for tissue biopsies we send out to other labs. Pilchuck’s in-house lab is a resource that enables our doctors to get fast results on many diagnostic tests.
More information about our Laboratory services



Lameness
With the ever increasing levels of equine athletic competition, soundness issues increasingly cause the need for veterinary assistance. At Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, we are able to provide either in hospital or at the farm evaluation of your horse’s lameness. We have the clinical expertise and the diagnostic equipment needed to accurately assess the horse’s problem, including radiography, ultrasonography, and thermography.



Nutrition
Proper feeding of horses by offering them a balanced ration is becoming more and more important with the increased demands placed on horses for performance and breeding. Hay analysis and appropriate supplements can make the care of an equine athlete, a growing youngster, or an aged friend most beneficial for good health. At Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, veterinarians trained in equine nutrition are available to help you form the best diet for your horse.



Pre-Purchase Exams
Pre-purchase exams usually include a physical exam and lameness evaluation, often with x-rays. They are a valuable tool for prospective buyers to decide if a horse is the right mount for their intended use. We can perform exams at the farm or at the hospital.

Radiology
Radiographs, or x-rays, are useful for diagnosis of certain conditions. Portable equipment allows us to image your horse at the farm, or you can haul to the hospital. Our new 1000MA radiography machine is a powerful, high-speed x-ray machine that makes it possible to image the larger and thicker body parts such as the neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis of large adult horses.

There’s good news for anyone who’s ever been frustrated by having to wait for their veterinarian to return to the hospital to process and review their horse’s radiographic films (x-rays) before calling to discuss the findings with them.

Digital radiology (DR) technology uses a special plate and a standard radiographic machine to convert the energy from the x-ray into a digital image, which is then viewed on a computer screen. The digital image can be enhanced, lightened, or darkened on the screen to highlight soft tissue or bone, depending upon the area of focus. DR allows for potentially greater detail than conventional radiography by permitting each digitized image to be processed by the computer.
Read more »

Shock Wave Therapy
When a soft tissue or bone injury responds with limited success to conventional treatment, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) can often aid the healing process. ESWT is a non-invasive procedure that utilizes the production of acoustic sound waves to produce high pressure waves that are focused at a point of tissue or bone to stimulate healing. Studies have shown that it reduces inflammation, thereby reducing pain as it promotes healing. It appears to be especially effective where ligaments attach to bone or where there’s an arthritis problem. ESWT has been used successfully to treat bowed tendons, suspensory ligament injuries, stress fractures, splint bone fractures, bone spavin, navicular syndrome, overriding spines (withers), sacro-iliac conditions (Hunters Bumps), & back pain. It can be done on an out-patient basis at the hospital or at an owner’s barn. Patients are sedated and treated standing, which takes approximately 10-15 minutes once the sedation has taken effect. It customarily takes from one to three treatments (two to three weeks apart), depending upon the severity of the condition and the type of tissue being treated.

It is also used in dogs for the treatment of arthritic conditions, such as hip dysplasia, tendon injuries, and non-healing fractures.



Surgery
The surgical services at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital are provided by a staff of three board-certified equine surgeons,assisted by veterinarians and technicians as anesthetists, assistant surgeons and scrub technicians. Surgical services can be classified many ways – elective, emergency, soft tissue, orthopedic, arthroscopic, laparoscopic, and laser.

A surgical case begins with a diagnostic workup. First we diagnose the specific problem, followed by consideration of therapeutic options, including if and what type of surgery is indicated. A discussion of prognosis, after care and estimated cost is also part of a complete presurgical workup. For referral cases, an ambulatory veterinarian has completed some of these initial steps. Upon consultation with one of our surgeons, further diagnostics may be employed to decide the optimal plan for your horse.

Elective surgeries offered at Pilchuck include any non-emergency procedure scheduled in advance, for example, arthroscopy for removal of bone chips in joints, and hernia repairs in foals.

Emergency surgeries are typically classified those which need to occur as soon as possible, preferably after the patient is stabilized for the best prognosis. These may include colic surgeries, certain lacerations, ceasarian sections, and certain fractures.

Orthopedic surgeries (surgeries of the musculo-skeletal system) provided at Pilchuck include many electives such as periosteal transections (for angular limb deformities in foals) and splint bone removals. Other orthopedic surgeries include fracture repair (including plating of selective long bone fractures) and arthroscopic surgery.

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and correct disorders within joints such as the fetlock, carpus, hock and stifle. It is used for removal of OCD fragments, small chip fractures and to diagnose soft tissue injuries within the stifle joint.

Soft tissue surgery encompasses many types of surgical procedures in body systems other than the musculoskeletal system. Examples of soft tissue surgeries include laryngoplasty ("tie-backs" for roarers), mass removals, ovariectomy (for mares with an ovarian tumor or to stop heat behavior), cryptorchidectomy (removal of testicle retained within the abdomen), herniorrhaphy (hernia repair), and colic surgery.

Laparoscopy is a type of surgery which uses specialized endoscopic equipment to see the contents of the abdominal cavity through small portholes in the abdominal wall. This procedure is gaining applications for use in soft tissue surgery, for example, removal of an ovary or an intra-abdominal testicle.

The addition of a laser to our hospital has expanded the surgical options for removal of selected superficial and oral masses with minimized bleeding.

Our highly experienced surgical staff continually seeks continuing education to provide the best of the current procedures and techniques available. Our mission is to provide surgery to meet your horse’s specific needs, whether that is saving his life, attaining her highest athletic potential or simply to enjoy a more comfortable quality of life.



Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a specialized imaging technique that uses inaudible sound waves to create an image of soft tissue structures. It is one of our most frequently used non-invasive diagnostic tools. Ultrasonography is used in lameness diagnosis to image tendon and ligament injuries, tendon sheaths, and joint capsules. In equine reproduction, ultrasonography is used routinely for imaging uterine and ovarian structures to aid in timing of insemination and ovulation, pregnancy diagnosis, and evaluation of the reproductive tract in health and disease. Transabdominal ultrasound images of the late term equine fetus can help assess fetal well-being.

Ultrasound imaging is also used to assess the structure of organs within body cavities including the liver and kidneys. With an ultrasound probe, we can detect abnormal accumulations of fluid within the thorax (as seen in pleuropneumonia) or abdomen (as seen in peritonitis). Our referral colic cases benefit from abdominal ultrasound as part of a routine work up to help determine if surgery is necessary.

Ultrasound is also used to detect the presence of a foreign body within a wound or swelling. A memorable case used ultrasound to find the top of a T-post buried in a horse’s hamstring muscle from an accident that had occurred more than a year earlier.

Anytime we would benefit from "seeing" within a soft tissue structure to aid our diagnostic endeavor, we reach for the ultrasound machine.

Wellness & Preventive Medicine The goal of wellness or preventive medicine is to sustain health in your horse. Good equine health practices include good nutrition, regular deworming, a vaccination program suited to your horse’s circumstances, and regular visits from the dentist. Yearly physical and dental exams can improve and lengthen your horse’s life by catching and resolving potential problems early, and contribute to maintaining optimum health. Dental health is extremely important in the geriatric horse, and this group may benefit from more frequent exams. Pilchuck’s veterinarians can help you design vaccination and deworming programs that are most appropriate for your horse or herd.

see also:

Horse Doctors
Horse Health Topics
About Horses