Equine Clinic Visits

Arriving at the Clinic

Please arrive at your scheduled time as discussed when scheduling your appointment. If you are unable to make it at this time, please call the clinic and give us an update.

Once you have arrived, you can call our office to check in or come to the front door. It is important that you check in. Please do not open or go to other doors.

Once you have checked in, you can unload your horse, and a staff member will direct you to our horse’s assigned stall. We will also discuss and schedule a discharge time/day.

Client Stay at the Clinic

In order to maintain a safe, effective working environment and provide the best possible patient care, only MVDS staff are allowed in the equine treatment area during surgical procedures.

All clients are required to stay in our designated client waiting and reception area. To help make your stay more comfortable, we have recommendations for food and local attractions. We also offer free wifi, refreshments, charging stations, snacks, and a semi-private room for working.

Due to the nature of surgical procedures, we cannot guarantee a specific procedure time or length of procedure. Daily procedure order is determined according to the different needs of the patients on that surgery day and is subject to change.

Your Horse’s Stay at the Clinic

Surgery horses will spend a minimum of one night for post-procedure monitoring. If your horse needs to stay longer, our doctors will communicate with you and determine the best post-surgery treatment plan.

Our clinic stalls are matted, bedded with low-dust pine shavings, and are monitored with cameras. Your horse will be fed quality soft grass hay along with a Purina Equine Senior mash after surgery.

Some horses will require areas to be shaved for surgery. Typical shaved spots may be on your horses face for nerve blocks or their neck for an intravenous catheter. If your horse can not be shaved, please let us know at the time of admission.

Pre-Procedure Instructions

• Please bring along any bute, banamine, or antibiotics if your horse is receiving them at the time of surgery. If your horse is on any other daily medications, please bring those along also.
• Please feed your horse as you normally would, there are no restrictions prior to surgery.
• If your horse has had any recent previous bloodwork, please make sure the results are either e-mailed to our clinic or you bring them along with you.

Vaccinations

For the safety of your horse and other patients, we require your horse to be current on tetanus and flu/rhino vaccinations. Flu/rhino vaccine should be given at least 7 days prior to surgery. If your horse has not been vaccinated for tetanus in the last 12 months, we will vaccinate your horse upon admission.

Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork

Each patient is strongly recommended to have bloodwork performed prior to their procedure. Our clinic requires all horses 15 years and older to have pre-anesthetic bloodwork performed. This ensures that your horse can safely process and eliminate the sedative agents. This will also help verify if there are any other hidden illnesses present.

Bloodwork can be performed at our clinic the day of the surgery or at your referring/general practitioners. If you choose to have bloodwork performed by the referring/general practitioner, the results should be e-mailed to info@midwestvetdental.com prior to the surgery date.