The last few weeks at RREH

    Howdy! Just wanted to take a moment and say that this has been such an AMAZING and REWARDING experience. I have learned so much and seen so many things during my time here, as well as have established relationships here that will last a lifetime. I am so thankful for this opportunity and cannot wait to do it again next year! 
    Anyways, onto the last few exciting cases I witnessed! To start things off, we had a teaser stallion come in due to a couple fractured incisors. The doctors came to the conclusion that he may have caught himself onto the fence, or some other trauma that did not involve much soft tissue around it. 

As you can see, Dr. Embertson wired the teeth together to that they can heal in their proper place

     For our second interesting case, we had a yearling come in with a giant laceration on its knee after a very loud and crazy thunderstorm. Dr. Embertson did a great job stitching this guy up!

     

   Last but DEFINITELY not least, is by the far the most interesting procedure I have witnessed done in surgery this summer. Dr. Bramlage performed an arthrodesis on a stallion last week. Equine arthrodesis is a medical procedure in which fusion of equine joints is performed through surgical, chemical or ethyl alcohol methods. Surgical arthrodesis involves destroying the articular cartilage surrounding the joint using a laser or surgical drill, and applying a bone plate or placing a bone graft between the joints. The joints are aligned into a stable, weight-bearing position and screws are placed in various positions depending upon the individual joint. Surgical arthrodesis results in joint fusion by removing the cartilage and allowing the bones to fuse together. 
    WARNING: these next images are very graphic and not for a weak stomach!

 

The leg is then casted and the horse stays at the hospital for approximately 30 days under close watch.

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to read my blog!