Tag: veterinarians
Meet PBEC Intern Sarah Océane Graf
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Switzerland, where we speak four national languages —German, French, Italian, and Romansh (an old Swiss tongue that’s still hanging on). I’m from Geneva, which is in the French-speaking part of the country and the best Swiss
city in my humble opinion.
Where did you earn your degree?
In Switzerland, you can only earn a veterinary degree in the German-speaking part. When I was just four years old, I asked my mom if it was possible to have a vocation because I already felt like mine was becoming a veterinarian. Thanks to my parents’
unwavering support, I was able to attend a bilingual school to learn German properly. I eventually studied veterinary medicine at the University of Zurich, which is in the largest city in Switzerland. Back home, veterinary school is structured into a three-year
Bachelor’s program followed by a two-year Master’s. After completing both, we take the federal veterinary licensing exam to become fully qualified.
What is your background with horses?
I started riding when I was three years old and later competed in show jumping for almost 10 years. I had to pause during vet school, but horses have always remained the love of my life. I used to say that my passion wasn’t actually show jumping — it was
taking care of my horses, spending time with them, and getting to know them like my own friends.
What brought you to PBEC?
I did a four-week externship at PBEC about two and a half years ago and was absolutely starstruck by the level of equine medicine practiced here. The variety of disciplines and cases, combined with the opportunity to learn new ways of practicing,
made me determined to come back.
I love sports medicine, and here you get to see everything — dressage, show jumping, polo, barrel racing, bucking horses, pleasure horses, and even Thoroughbreds. Each discipline brings its own veterinary challenges, and that variety is what makes PBEC so exciting. The clinic’s facilities and the range of specialties, from sports medicine and internal medicine to reproduction and ophthalmology, make it an incredible place to learn. Also, doing an internship in a private clinic rather than a university allows me to practice more hands-on medicine and grow more confident and independent in my clinical decision-making.
What was the process of becoming an intern?
Honestly, it was easier than I expected, thanks to the amazing support from Dr. Swerdlin and his team. I filled out a couple of forms, submitted some documents, made a quick visit to the U.S. Embassy in Switzerland, and I was good to go. They really made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Once I arrived, I had to schedule an appointment to get a Social Security number.
As an international intern, I was a bit worried about housing and transportation, but the clinic has everything well thought out. We’re provided with free housing in a lovely house surrounded by nature, and the company also offers cars for international interns who can’t purchase one at the time of arrival. PBEC really ensures we have great living conditions so that we can fully focus our energy on the internship.
What is the program like so far?
It’s definitely challenging — not just the workload but also being so far from my family and friends for the first time, adjusting to a new environment and the working world, as well as figuring out how to be the kind of veterinarian I want to become. It’s not always easy —internships aren’t for everyone — but I’m adapting.
My colleagues and supervisors have been incredibly supportive, and that makes a huge difference. This program exposes me to every corner of equine medicine, helping me decide what path I want to pursue in my career. And I get to learn from some of the
most experienced and generous equine vets out there.
when choosing an internship at PBEC. Photo courtesy of Sarah Océane Graf
What is a typical day like for you?
I usually get to the clinic around 6 and 7 a.m. to check on my patients and write their SOAPs (notes that stand for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan). At 8:30 a.m., we have morning rounds with the surgical resident and clinicians where we go
over every patient, update their plans, and ask questions to better understand the cases.
After rounds, depending on my rotation, I might scrub into surgery, run anesthesia, or take in emergency cases. If I have a quieter moment, I’ll research my cases to deepen my understanding or help with outpatient procedures. I also just enjoy spending time
with the patients.
At 5:30 p.m., we do rounds with the overnight intern, who stays at the clinic until midnight (or later, depending on the case load) and is then on call until 8 a.m. One of the day interns is also on call for anesthesia each day.
What is something new that you’ve learned?
So much, and it’s only been a month. I can now confidently run general anesthesia, place arterial and venous catheters, perform abdominocentesis, and do a flash ultrasound. I even got to inject a coffin joint! I’ve also spent time in the reproduction
department and can now perform transrectal ultrasounds of the mare’s reproductive tract, do uterine flushes and infusions, and place urinary catheters. The list keeps growing, and I’m so grateful for the learning opportunities.
What do you do in your free time?
I brought my dog, Pepper, with me, so we spend time at the beach in Palm Beach or Jupiter, run around the neighborhood, or go to the dog park. In the evenings or on weekends, I read and re-read Harry Potter.
I’ve also discovered the wonders of Target, Whole Foods, and the mall… I may or may not have spent at least 24 hours there already.
And of course, I call my boyfriend… who patiently listens to me talk about transrectal ultrasounds while wondering where his life took a very specific turn.
By Lindsay Berreth / Jump Media
If you have a performance mare that you wish to breed without interrupting her career, embryo transfer is a viable option. Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) in Wellington, FL, offers an extensive range of assisted and advanced reproductive procedures, including embryo transfer. With spring fast approaching, now is the time to plan.
PBEC President Dr. Scott Swerdlin highlights the advantages of the embryo transfer process, which has been utilized since the 1970s. This method is especially beneficial for sport horse mares that cannot afford to take time off for pregnancy. By using embryo transfer, you can continue riding your best mare while simultaneously breeding for your future champions. Additionally, embryo transfer is a viable option for mares with high genetic merit who cannot carry a foal. Some mares may have orthopedic issues that would be exacerbated by the extra weight of pregnancy, while others may have significant reproductive challenges, such as chronic uterine infections or a fibrotic uterus, which hinder their ability to conceive or support a developing pregnancy.
The first step in the embryo transfer process is embryo production. For this article, we are focusing on traditional in vivo embryo production vs in vitro embryo production. In vivo embryo production requires the donor mare to be bred, conceive, and produce an embryo that can then be transferred to a recipient mare. This necessitates the mare being off any hormones like Regumate® (altrenogest) or long-acting progesterone as they suppress the mare’s estrus cycle.
Strategic breeding management is essential to minimize disruptions to a mare’s training and competition schedule. This may include hormonal manipulation of the mare’s reproductive cycle, a series of reproductive examinations performed using transrectal palpation and ultrasound, a uterine culture and cytology, and breeding the mare by artificial insemination or via natural cover. It is also crucial to document the day and time of ovulation. Whether using fresh, cool-shipped, or frozen-thawed semen, the day and time of ovulation need to be documented to plan for the second and third steps of the process: embryo flush and transfer.
“Knowing the day of ovulation is important,” explained Dr. Swerdlin. “In the mare, fertilization and conception occur in the oviduct, where an embryo will remain for approximately 6 to 6.5 days before migrating to the uterus. Not knowing the day of ovulation might mean that the embryo is still in the oviduct at the time of the uterine flush. Conversely, if the embryo is further along in development, it becomes larger and more fragile, which decreases the chances of a successful outcome.”
To minimize disruptions to the mare’s schedule, most of the process can be performed on-farm, or owners can elect to come to PBEC on an outpatient basis. Veterinarians will closely monitor the mare’s estrus cycle to determine the optimum time for breeding, maximizing the chance of achieving a pregnancy.
“To improve our chance for success, once we determine that the mare is ready, the dominant pre-ovulatory follicle is stimulated to release the oocyte (egg) by administering an ovulatory agent,” stated Dr. Swerdlin. “This ovulatory agent mimics the mare’s naturally occurring hormonal process, and when used appropriately, the majority of mares will ovulate within 24 to 48 hours post-administration.
“Timing the insemination in relation to ovulation is key to success,” he continued. “This is especially true when using frozen semen. For mares that will be inseminated with frozen-thawed semen, we suggest that they arrive at the clinic the same day that the ovulatory agent is administered. This ensures that we can inseminate the mare as close to the point of ovulation as possible.”
The next step is embryo recovery, which is performed 6.5 to 8 days post-ovulation. “The mare will come to the clinic, and the process takes about an hour,” said Dr. Swerdlin. “During this procedure, the donor mare’s uterus is flushed with several liters of embryo flush media. This fluid is recovered and filtered through a special embryo filter to capture the embryo.”
After the embryo is retrieved, it is washed and graded to determine embryo quality. Embryos are graded on a 4-point scale, which 1 indicating excellent quality and 4 indicating a degenerate or dead embryo. Finally, the embryo is prepared for either direct transfer into a recipient mare, shipment to a recipient herd, or frozen for future use.
The final step in the process is the embryo transfer, which requires careful coordination. The success of this procedure is heavily dependent on selecting a suitable recipient mare, taking into account factors such as the mare’s age, size, maternal behavior, synchronization, and overall reproductive health.
“Owners can provide their own recipient mare, but we often recommend that mare owners utilize a leased recipient mare,” noted Dr. Swerdlin. “Numerous recipient herds are located throughout the country, with the closest ones being in the Ocala area. Currently, recipient mares are in very high demand, and each herd has a limited number of contracts available per year. One key advantage of using a recipient herd is that it allows multiple mares to be synchronized to match your individual mare’s ovulation date rather than relying on a single client-owned recipient. For those who prefer to use their own mare, our reproductive specialists at PBEC can manage the synchronization of the recipient mare and perform the embryo transfer.”
The embryo transfer procedure takes place at the clinic. The recipient mare is gently restrained in stocks with the aid of mild sedation. The embryo is carefully loaded into a transfer gun, which is guided trans-cervically into the mare’s uterus. Once the position has been confirmed, the embryo is deposited into the base of the uterine horn. A reproductive ultrasound is performed between three to seven days afterward to assess the uterine environment and confirm that the embryo is developing properly. Recipient herds will often report pregnancies between day seven to nine after transfer.
Dr. Swerdlin noted that the success rate for embryo recovery varies based on the type of semen used and the donor mare. “When using fresh and cool-shipped semen, embryo production rates can reach between 70% and 90%,” he said. “With frozen-thawed semen, the rates are lower, ranging from 50% to 60%. Overall, the success rate of the embryo transfer ranges from 70% to 90%, depending on the quality of both the recipient mare and the embryo.”
Embryo transfer provides an effective and practical solution for sport horse owners and breeders. As the demand for top sport horses increases, it continues to be a valuable tool for those looking to breed that special mare.
For more information on embryo transfer and other reproductive services offered at PBEC, visit www.equineclinic.com or call 561-793-1599.
Originally from northern California, Dr. Janet Greenfield Davis grew up competing on the hunter circuit which sparked her interest in equine veterinary medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree at California Polytechnic State University, and went on to complete veterinary school at the University of Glasgow. While in the UK, she became a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
After completing an internship at Palm Beach Equine Clinic in 2010, Dr. Greenfield Davis studied traditional Chinese veterinary medicine at the Chi Institute. In addition to providing western medicine, Dr. Greenfield Davis employs eastern medicine as a certified veterinary acupuncturist and Chinese herbal medicine expert.
When not seeing patients, Dr. Greenfield Davis enjoys cheering on her clients at competitions, swing dancing, and spending time with her husband, fellow Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarian Dr. Tyler Davis, and their two daughters. We featured Dr. Greenfield Davis nearly 10 years ago and have caught up with her to see how things have changed in a decade.
1. Our last Q&A with you was in 2015 when your girls were just babies – what’s it like now balancing your veterinary career with older kids that have interests of their own? Are horses part of their lives?
It is certainly different having older children and practicing veterinary medicine. Maisie is now 9 and Zella is 11. They do have interests of their own. Gone are the days of loading everyone in the truck and working through naptime. Now I adjust my workday to accommodate after-school sports and homework. While they sometimes enjoy riding around with me on calls they would prefer to do something else. I try much harder to take my weekends off to spend time with them. I feel like these are the years they will remember the most, and I don’t want those memories to be of their iPads. Instead, it can be of their parents prying their iPads from their little fingers to go clean the turtle tank on a bright Saturday afternoon.
The girls did attempt riding for a while, but it didn’t stick. Their horse time is preferably spent at the clinic where they can watch all their favorite vets perform procedures and then have Dr. Swerdlin make them hot cocoa. There is a secret ingredient but it is not mine to divulge.
2. Is acupuncture still a big part of your practice? How do you see it help horses in day-to-day management?
It is! My acupuncture practice encompasses about 80% of what I do. We use acupuncture for pain relief and management, post-surgical rehabilitation, vices, nervous horses, lameness, and so much more. I also work in Equine Rehabilitation to help strengthen training practices and improve agility.
3. How does working with Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center still hold meaning for you? What are your usual duties there?
I have been the primary veterinarian at Vinceremos for 14 years with aid from my colleagues. It is beneficial work and of course it holds meaning for me. I know many of the clients and after so many years, the Vinceremos horses feel like my own.
4. Are there still other programs outside of PBEC that you work with in the community?
I mainly volunteer at my kids’ school when I can. I have a career day coming up. I eagerly anticipate the questions asked by kindergarten to fifth grade students. They always surprise me, and we usually have a good laugh.
5. Do you work with the internship program at PBEC? What are the benefits of that program for the clinic and for you as a vet?
I do work with the internship program at PBEC, and actually, all our vets do. Our clinic trains new graduates into confident, seasoned veterinarians.
6. Have you had any additional continuing education or certifications since you became a certified equine rehabilitation practitioner?
Nothing new yet. I am currently working to further myself as an FEI delegate.
7. What do you find is most fulfilling still in your career?
The most fulfilling part of veterinary medicine is having a happy client and a happy horse. It doesn’t matter if it is a colic or helping to achieve their competitive goals. The satisfaction is knowing that everyone is healthy and happy.
8. What is something you have seen or heard about that is developing in the veterinary industry that you are excited about?
The veterinary field is constantly changing. New research is done every day. I am excited about it all!
A recent popular post on PBEC’s social media was about retired Davie County, FL, police horse Charlie, who injured himself in true equine fashion – spectacularly and with no one knowing how – during the night while turned out in a field. Charlie was adopted by the mother of one of the Davie County police officers who also works for the Sheriff’s Department. They brought Charlie to PBEC to repair a large laceration on his side.
Dr. Michelle Maguire was on hand to care for Charlie and explained the steps it took to get him back to healing. Dr. Maguire and her team administered intravenous sedation in order to repair with him standing up then injected local anesthesia around the circumference of the laceration, which measured approximately 12 by 18 inches.
“This case was particularly challenging because it was a very large area with multiple flaps and went through many layers, including skin, subcutaneous tissue, and the muscle layers overlying the thorax,” said Dr. Maguire. “Luckily there was no penetration into the thoracic cavity.”
Dr. Maguire used walking sutures to close the laceration, extending from the skin flap’s deep dermis to the underlying fascia of the body wall. This approach helps eliminate
dead space to help prevent seroma formation and infection, reduce skin tension, promote wound closure, and lower the risk of dehiscence, a surgical complication where a wound ruptures along the incision after surgery.
Because the skin can’t handle tension, you can’t just suture the skin itself. Dr. Maguire also used a Jackson Pratt drain, a commonly used surgical drain that provides a constant, low suction to pull fluid from a surgical incision site to decrease swelling and reduce the risk of infection. The drain consists of a thin, rubber tube and a soft, round squeeze bulb, or “grenade” on the end that maintains negative pressure and allows for an active drainage system.
Dr. Maguire noted that Charlie’s prognosis is very good, and he is expected to make a full recovery. He has been doing well at home, and the wound has held together without dehiscence.
She added, “The aftercare protocol was a course of systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, along with maintaining a compressive for the first two weeks postoperatively until skin sutures were removed.
“The horse handled everything very well,” she continued. “He was in pain the first day postoperatively, but as the inflammation subsided, he was a normal happy horse.”
The team at Palm Beach Equine Clinic is happy to report that Charlie is back home grazing. While he will have a scar, it won’t affect his quality of life, and he will have quite a story to tell his friends!
Meet PBEC Intern Valentine Prié DVM
Valentine Prié DVM earned her veterinary degree in Croatia and spent time in several equine clinics in Europe before heading to the United States in 2024 to broaden her knowledge. She’s part of the class of 2024/2025 interns at the Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) in Wellington, FL.
Where are you from?
I’m from Normandy in the northwest part of France. For the last six years, I have mostly lived in Croatia, where I did both my undergraduate and vet school work. In 2024, I moved to the U.S. and have been an intern at PBEC since July.
What is your background with horses?
I started riding when I was 5 years old. My family were ranchers, and we had a cattle and horse farm, so I was always around horses. I did mostly show jumping.
What brought you to PBEC?
I always wanted to be a vet — it was not even a question. My great-grandfather founded a vet school in France, and my brother is also going to graduate as an equine vet. It’s in the family!
I moved to Croatia shortly after turning 18 and graduated from the University of Zagreb’s vet school. During my fifth year, I spent some time in Austria at the University of Vienna. This year, I completed part of my final rotation at UC Davis in California.
I wanted to explore as many different approaches to equine medicine as possible. Things here in the U.S. are done differently, not just technique, but the approach to patient care and communication and the use of medications. My goal is to have, as much as possible, an open mind to veterinary practice.
When I complete the program at PBEC, I will head to going to Hagyard in Kentucky for a specialized internship.
What is the process of becoming an intern at PBEC?
I came to PBEC two years ago for a summer externship. After staying in touch with some previous interns and employees at the clinic, I applied last winter, had my interview in February, and in March, Dr. Swerdlin started helping me with the visa process. I began the internship in July.
What is the program like?
It’s been busy! I want to see as much as possible and experience all the areas of equine medicine — surgery, internal medicine, and ambulatory as well. It’s a really busy clinic with a high caseload and many veterinarians from various parts of the world, each withdifferent approaches to medicine and slightly different practices. That’s really beneficial for me to compare what can be done. It’s been a great learning experience. I see a lot and try to listen and remember!
What’s a typical day like for you?
Our schedule is organized on rotation, so we do two weeks of anesthesia, two weeks of surgery, two weeks of hospitalization/internal medicine, two weeks of ambulatory, and two weeks of overnight. Depending on which rotation I am on, the day is different.
Usually, you check the patients assigned to you for your rotation — I will do a full physical examination and write notes for every patient. After rounds, we get everything ready; for instance, with surgery, we bring the horse and assist with the surgery and the recovery of our patient. Then we take care of their treatment plan.
What do you do in your free time?
I’m a runner. I’m preparing for the Miami Marathon in February. I did the Toronto Marathon in 2024. And I read! I love all the French classical novels and poetry. I read a lot of equine medicine articles and books, too.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC), an exceptional equine healthcare facility, will return as the Official Veterinarian of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) running through April 3, 2022, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and Equestrian Village in Wellington, FL. PBEC also provides Official Veterinarian services for the 2022 season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic is celebrating its 40th anniversary of providing top equine health care to both the year-round residents as well as horses coming for the winter season. The state-of-the-art facility is located at the intersection of Southfields and Pierson Roads in the center of Wellington, right down the road from PBIEC, the Equestrian Village, and the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
The team at Palm Beach Equine Clinic includes more than 35 veterinarians and provides expertise in almost all areas of equine health and treatment. Palm Beach Equine Clinic offers specialized sports medicine with trusted veterinarians and staff that understand the commitment it takes to care for a high-level equine competitor. The talented team offers a wide variety of services such as internal medicine, emergency care, reproduction and fertility, alternative medicine, regenerative medicine, dentistry, podiatry, and more.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic provides cutting-edge technology paired with knowledgeable and dedicated staff. The facility offers advanced diagnostic imaging with board-certified radiologists on staff as well as surgical services with three board-certified surgeons. Additionally, all primary veterinarians can refer clients to Palm Beach Equine Clinic for their innovative imaging technologies and surgical center.
In addition to the full-service equine clinic, Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians will be on the showgrounds at the annex office located adjacent to the WEF stabling office on the PBIEC showgrounds. Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians will be onsite daily during WEF and AGDF to assist all competing horses throughout the shows with performance evaluations, diagnostics, and treatments, as well as emergency care and standard horse care needs.
“It’s always an honor to take care of the best horses in the world that come to Wellington each winter,” said Palm Beach Equine Clinic President Dr. Scott Swerdlin. “Being on-site at the showgrounds really allows us to provide high- quality and immediate veterinary care for all of the horses competing.”
Offering exceptional knowledge, capabilities, and commitment, the team at Palm Beach Equine Clinic is thrilled to once again help equine athletes perform to the best of their abilities during the Wellington winter show season and beyond.
What To Expect After the Unexpected Strikes
Featured on Horse Network
Every owner dreads having to decide whether or not to send their horse onto the surgical table for colic surgery. For a fully-informed decision, it is important that the horse’s owner or caretaker understands what to expect throughout the recovery process.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) veterinarian Weston Davis, DVM, DACVS, assisted by Sidney Chanutin, DVM, has an impressive success rate when it comes to colic surgeries, and the PBEC team is diligent about counseling patients’ owners on how to care for their horse post-colic surgery.
“After we determine that the patient is a strong surgical candidate, the first portion of the surgery is exploratory so we can accurately define the severity of the case,” explained Dr. Davis. “That moment is when we decide if the conditions are positive enough for us to proceed with surgery. It’s always my goal to not make a horse suffer through undue hardship if they have a poor prognosis.”
Once Dr. Davis gives the green light for surgical repair, the surgery is performed, and recovery begins immediately.
“The time period for the patient waking up in the recovery room to them standing should ideally be about 30 minutes,” continued Dr. Davis. “At PBEC, we do our best to contribute to this swift return by using a consistent anesthesia technique. Our team controls the anesthesia as lightly as we can and constantly monitors blood pressure. We administer antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-endotoxic drugs, and plasma to help combat the toxins that the horse releases during colic. Our intention in the operating room is to make sure colic surgeries are completed successfully, but also in the most time-efficient manner.”
Colic surgery recovery often depends on the type and severity of the colic. At the most basic level, colic cases can be divided into two types – large intestine colic and small intestine colic – that influence the recovery procedures and outlook.
Large intestinal colic or impaction colic is characterized by the intestine folding upon itself with several changes of direction (flexures) and diameter changes. These flexures and diameter shifts can be sites for impactions, where a firm mass of feed or foreign material blocks the intestine. Impactions can be caused by coarse feeds, dehydration, or an accumulation of foreign materials such as sand.
Small intestinal colic or displacement colic can result from gas or fluid distension that results in the intestines being buoyant and subject to movement within the gut, an obstruction of the small intestine, or twisting of the gut. In general, small intestinal colics can be more difficult than large intestinal colics when it comes to recovery from surgery.
“Many people do assume that after the colic surgery is successfully completed their horse is in the clear,” said Dr. Chanutin. “However, during the first 24 to 48 hours after colic surgery, there are many factors that have to be closely monitored.
“We battle many serious endotoxic effects,” continued Dr. Chanutin. “When the colon isn’t functioning properly, microbial toxins are released inside the body. These microbials that would normally stay in the gastrointestinal tract then cause tissue damage to other bodily systems. We also need to be cognizant of the possibility of the patient developing laminitis, a disseminated intervascular coagulation (overactive clotting of the blood), or reflux, where a blockage causes fluids to back up into the stomach.”
Stages after surgery
Immediately Post-Surgery
While 30 minutes from recumbent to standing is the best-case scenario, Dr. Davis acknowledges that once that time period passes, the surgical team must intervene by encouraging the horse to get back on its feet.
Once a horse returns to its stall in the Equine Hospital at PBEC, careful monitoring begins, including physical health evaluations, bloodwork, and often, advanced imaging. According to Dr. Davis, physical exams will be conducted at least four times per day to evaluate the incision and check for any signs of fever, laminitis, lethargy, and to ensure good hydration status. An abdominal ultrasound may be done several times per day to check the health of the gut, and a tube may be passed into the stomach to check for reflux and accumulating fluid in the stomach.
“The horse must regularly be passing manure before they can be discharged,” said Dr. Chanutin. “We work toward the horse returning to a semi-normal diet before leaving PBEC. Once they are at that point, we can be fairly confident that they will not need additional monitoring or immediate attention from us.”
Returning Home
Drs. Davis and Chanutin often recommend the use of an elastic belly band to support the horse’s incision site during transport from the clinic and while recovering at home. Different types of belly bands offer varying levels of support. Some simply provide skin protection, while others are able to support the healing of the abdominal wall.
Two Weeks Post-Surgery
At the 12-to-14-day benchmark, the sutures will be removed from the horse’s incision site. The incision site is continuously checked for signs of swelling, small hernias, and infection.
At-Home Recovery
Once the horse is home, the priority is to continue monitoring the incision and return them to a normal diet if that has not already been accomplished.
The first two weeks of recovery after the horse has returned home is spent on stall rest with free-choice water and hand grazing. After this period, the horse can spend a month being turned out in a small paddock or kept in a turn-out stall. They can eventually return to full turnout during the third month. Hand-walking and grazing is permittable during all stages of the at-home recovery process. After the horse has been home for three months, the horse is likely to be approved for riding.
Generally, when a horse reaches the six-month mark in their recovery, the risk of adverse internal complications is very low, and the horse can return to full training under saddle.
When to Call the Vet?
Decreased water intake, abnormal manure output, fever, pain, or discomfort are all signals in a horse recovering from colic surgery when a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
Long-Term Care
Dr. Davis notes that in a large number of colic surgery cases, patients that properly progress in the first two weeks after surgery will go on to make a full recovery and successfully return to their previous level of training and competition.
Depending on the specifics of the colic, however, some considerations need to be made for long-term care. For example, if the horse had sand colic, the owner would be counseled to avoid sand and offer the horse a selenium supplement to prevent a possible relapse. In large intestinal colic cases, dietary restrictions may be recommended as a prophylactic measure. Also, horses that crib can be predisposed to epiploic foramen entrapment, which is when the bowel becomes stuck in a defect in the abdomen. This could result in another colic incident, so cribbing prevention is key.
Generally, a horse that has fully recovered from colic surgery is no less healthy than it was before the colic episode. While no one wants their horse to go through colic surgery, owners can rest easy knowing that.
“A lot of people still have a negative association with colic surgery, in particular the horse’s ability to return to its intended use after surgery,” said Dr. Davis. “It’s a common old-school mentality that after a horse undergoes colic surgery, they are never going to be useful again. For us, that situation is very much the exception rather than the rule. Most, if not all, recovered colic surgery patients we treat are fortunate to return to jumping, racing, or their intended discipline.”
5 Questions for Dr. Jordan Lewis
Dr. Jordan Lewis is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and has dedicated her professional career to serving her home state. Dr. Lewis grew up with horses and completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at the Equine Medical Center in Ocala.
Get to know Dr. Lewis:
1. What is your background with horses?
I moved from New York City to Fort Lauderdale, FL, when I was eight years old. My dad grew up loving horses, and when I was two, he bought a horse. We would travel from our home in New York City to visit him in the Pocono Mountains every weekend to ride. My first experience on a horse was riding double with my dad through cornfields. When I was eight years old, we moved to Florida and I was lucky enough to get my own pony. I got totally hooked on horses and I competed on the Arabian circuit as a teenager.
2. What inspired you to pursue veterinary medicine?
As a child, I participated in local 4-H programs and had the experience of touring an equine surgical and rehabilitation facility. I realized early that this was exactly what I wanted to do as my career.
3. When did you join Palm Beach Equine Clinic and what is your specialty?
I joined the team at Palm Beach Equine Clinic in June of 2005. I love the fact that we have such a dynamic team of veterinarians to work with and consult on difficult cases. I wouldn’t say I have a main focus as I am able to do everything from sports medicine and lameness exams to reproduction work thanks to the clinic’s wide range of cases and capabilities.
4. What advice would you give someone who wants to become an equine vet?
I would tell them that a career in large animal veterinary care is not just a job, it is a lifestyle. If it is what you are meant to do, you will love every minute of this lifestyle. I get to be outside and around horses all day. For me, this is the greatest profession.
5. What is one of the most interesting cases you have worked on?
The most interesting case I have worked on was a pericardial effusion. The condition is caused by excess fluid between the heart and the sac surrounding the heart, known as the pericardium. To remove the fluid, I performed a pericardiocentesis, which involved placing a drain within the sac around the heart to drain the excess fluid and relieve pressure on the heart. That is not something you get to do every day!
Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s surgical team leader, Dr. Robert Brusie, is a nationally renowned board-certified surgeon whose surgical specialties include orthopedic, arthroscopic, and emergency cases. Dr. Brusie has been the head surgeon with Palm Beach Equine Clinic for the last 20 years and is a beloved part of the team.
Dr. Brusie graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his surgical residency at the Marion DuPont Scott Equine Center in Virginia in 1989 and has been in private practice ever since. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1994. Dr. Brusie joined the Palm Beach Equine Clinic team in 1996.
Board-certified surgeon, Dr. Brusie is recognized for his expertise in colic surgery, as well as for his skill in arthroscopic surgery. His surgical experience expands the clinic’s progressive care in both emergency and elective procedures. He has published articles on numerous topics, including the equine intestinal tract and septic arthritis in horses. Dr. Brusie is married and has three daughters. Read on to find out more about Dr. Brusie!
What is your background with horses?
I grew up on a farm in Michigan. We had usually between 200 and 600 head of cattle and always between four to six horses. Our horses were cow ponies or driving horses. My dad loved horses and had to have them around. My family has owned our farm for six generations and it pretty much occupied all of our time besides sports and school. Needless to say, we didn’t have much time to show horses.
When and why did you decide to become a veterinarian? Did you know you wanted to be a surgeon from the start?
I decided to become a veterinarian at an early age. I think I was seven or eight years old when I pulled my first calf. One of my dad’s hired men called me “Doc” when I was about that age. When I went to college, my plan was to become a large animal veterinarian and live in my hometown and continue to farm part-time with my three brothers. All of that changed when I was in veterinary school at MSU. Dr. Ed Scott was one of the five surgeons there; he was a gifted surgeon and a great teacher. He steered me into an equine internship at Auburn University. It was one of those things that the more you did, the more you wanted to do to improve yourself. I operated on my first colic by myself when I was three weeks out of vet school (32 years ago).
How did you first start working at Palm Beach Equine Clinic?
I was a surgeon at a clinic in Atlanta, and in 1996 I had performed a surgery for a client of Dr. Paul Wollenman’s. He had started this practice in 1975 and asked me if I needed a job. I was planning on staying in Atlanta for the rest of my career. I received phone calls from the other two partners over the next nine months, and eventually with encouragement from my fiancé, now wife, Melissa, I took the job.
What do you love most about working at Palm Beach Equine Clinic?
We have an exceptional group of veterinarians and staff here. The depth and scope of our veterinarians is amazing due to the large caseload. On any individual case, there may be two to three doctors that have input on the case to ensure no stone is left unturned. Additionally, we are so privileged to work on some of the best show, race, and polo horses in the world. It is truly an honor.
What sets the surgical services at Palm Beach Equine Clinic apart?
Between Dr. Jorge Gomez, Dr. Weston Davis, and myself, we perform just about every type of soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries that are done in our field. Personally, my greatest sense of success is when I see a horse back after surgery going as well or better than it was prior to surgery.
What are the biggest changes you have seen in sport horse medicine over the years?
Currently, the most exciting thing we see going on in medicine is regenerative therapy. Twelve to 15 years ago, we were harvesting bone marrow from the sternum and injecting it into lesions in tendons and ligaments. Now we manipulate the bone marrow or other sources of stem cells to promote more rapid and more functional healing of some of these injuries. I can assure you that in 10 to 20 years what we are doing now will seem stone-aged by then. There are some very clever minds performing some serious research in this field.
How do you stay up-to-date on new medical advances?
Every veterinarian at Palm Beach Equine Clinic tries to attend as many meetings as time allows. We also do a weekly journal club at our clinic to discuss recently published papers in veterinary and human medicine and surgery.
What is the most interesting or challenging surgery that you have done?
Dr. Gomez and I had a three-year-old racehorse that had split his P1 (long pastern bone) and cannon bone in the same leg in a race. We were able to piece together both bones perfectly and the horse recovered brilliantly. He probably could have returned to racing, however, the owners elected to retire him to life as a breeding stallion.
What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I have three daughters who I am very proud of and tend to brag on maybe a little too much.
How else is the family involved in horses?
My wife [Melissa] and youngest daughter [Kayla] are horse nuts in the true sense of the word. Anything to do with horses, especially show hunters, they are dialed in. Melissa loves riding, and Kayla shows in hunters and equitation.
What makes Palm Beach Equine Clinic a special place for you?
I am blessed to have three good men as business partners. They are my good friends and great people. We are very lucky to have 20-plus veterinarians working with us who are very knowledgeable and caring individuals. We feel like a little practice, but with a lot of people who just get the job done.
Dr. Bryan Dubynsky joined the team of veterinarians at Palm Beach Equine Clinic in 2009 and specializes in treating sport horses, working to return them to top performance after injury or complication. Get to know Dr. Dubynsky:
1. Where did you grow up and what is your background with horses?
I grew up in Northern Indiana on a horse farm. I was fortunate enough to breed horses, show on the Midwestern circuit, and train our horses. My father is a physician and I’ve always grown up with an interest in medicine. Choosing to become a veterinarian seemed to be a natural fit that combined my love for horses and medicine.
2. Who has been the biggest influence in your life or career? What did they teach you?
I spent my entire childhood from eight to 18 years old with a third-generation horse trainer from Kentucky. He taught me horsemanship and patience, two crucial parts of a good foundation for successfully working around horses every day. If I could give advice to anyone thinking about becoming a veterinarian, it would be to seek out the top people in the industry and work with them. Learn as much as you possibly can from the people who have been practicing for a long time.
3. What is your specialty/main focus as a vet?
My main focus and interest is sport horse medicine. I love focusing on improving athletic performance and treating sports-related injuries to help clients get their equine partners back to the top!
4. What do you love about your job?
I love working at Palm Beach Equine Clinic for the exceptional medical and surgical capabilities and experiences available. I also love the camaraderie of all the employees; we really work as a team! Teamwork is paramount for making the clinic successful. I love the opportunities to travel throughout North America and Europe to see really cool places through work with my clients. I love working with the competition horses and being a part of the atmosphere of high-level competition, as well as caring for the sweet trail horses at home.
5. What is one of the most interesting cases you have worked on?
My own horse, Batman. He was an abandoned polo pony suffering from West Nile Virus. He was paralyzed for three days and no one wanted to treat him. We treated him with intensive care for three days and used a tractor as a last-ditch effort to get him to stand. He has since made a full recovery and is currently playing polo.