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HORSE SURGERY    New Mexico Equine, Inc.

Answers to Client Questions regarding Services Performed:         Arthroscopic and Orthopedic Surgery

Dr. Derwelis and his staff perform numerous surgeries in the joints and with the bones in horses, including removal of bone chips and inserting bone screws and plates.  Using some of the most common questions that we receive, the following is an outline of what the horse owner may expect from our professional staff.

First, our staff works with you, your veterinarian, trainer and any other advisors you may want to include, to evaluate the type of problem your horse has and what your expectations and desires are for future performance.  Dr. Derwelis has over forty years experience with race horses and other performance horses, and he is available to contribute advice concerning the future possibilities that various treatments and surgery may provide.

Our office has extensive state-of-the art equipment, such as digital x-ray, ultrasound, gastroscope and endoscope, which can aide in evaluating the current condition of your horse.  The owner is provided with images (photos or computer images) of all findings, along with a detailed written evaluation of findings and recommendations.

In addition to our extensively trained surgical staff, we employ only highly trained equine anesthesiologists to monitor each patient throughout each procedure.  In addition to the extensive professional continuing education training of our staff, our hospital is evaluated by a professional human surgical nurse (who has a personal interest in horses) to maintain the highest quality of antiseptic surgical environment possible.  Each horse is carefully attended to from the initiation of pre-surgical and pre-anesthesia procedures, throughout the surgery, and surgical recovery.  The client is contacted when the horse is out of recovery and returned to its stall.  The surgeon is then available to answer any questions regarding the surgical procedure and future expectations.

When a horse is dismissed from the hospital, the client will receive any artifacts (such as bone fragments) from the surgery, any needed additional bandage materials, medications, supplements to aide in healing, and detailed written New Mexico Equine "Go Home Instructions."  Depending on where the horse is to be sent next, the Go Home Instructions are sent with the horse, given to the trainer and to the referring veterinarian.  Our staff will call to inquire about the horse’s recovery progress and status on a set schedule (depending on the type of surgery), and will forward any questions to our veterinarian for a personal reply. 

Types of Surgeries Performed:

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is the visualization and operation within the abdominal cavity and chest cavity through the use of a small telescope. The postoperative rehabilitation time is reduced due to the small incisions. Common uses of this technology is the removal of testicles retained within the abdomen, removal of ovaries, and diagnostic evaluation of the body cavities.

Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgery is divided into several areas, Arthroscopic Surgery is the surgical exploration and manipulations within the joints using a small telescope through small incisions.
Fracture repair and joint fusions are done with the use of heavy gauge plates and screws made from stainless steel. We are able to repair some major fractures of some bones even in the adult horse.

Colic Surgery

Colic surgery is preformed through a large incision in the bottom of the abdomen. The procedure is done when conventional medical treatment is not able to correct the colic pain. The systematic examination of the abdominal contents enables the surgeon to determine the cause of the obstruction of the bowel. Many conditions are correctable. Removal of twisted and devitalized intestines, including the entire large colon, can be done successfully.