In 2004, the Equine Center evolved from the growing equine practice of Sturgis Veterinary Hospital.  It is now a specialty practice complete with surgery suite, induction room, padded recovery rooms, intensive care units, a reproduction facility and state-of-the-art instrumentation. We are staffed with specialists in their individual disciplines; surgery, internal medicine, reproduction, lameness, etc.

 

The Sturgis Equine Center's sole purpose is to provide complete care for the regions horses. Service's include routine wellness care, "believing an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"; from this platform we continue our concentration on equine with full rounded veterinary practice from reproductive care to geriatric needs. We offer pre purchase exams to assist our clients in making well informed management decisions and are available for care and guidance in critical emergency situations.

 

The mission of the Equine Center is to improve the health and welfare of the horse by using the most advanced and up-to-date technology to provide the best care available to our clients and referring veterinarians.

 

The vision for the Equine Center is to continue to provide the very best service to our clients and referring veterinarians through improving our equipment, skills and personnel to meet the needs of the future.

~Now open: Indoor diagnostic and excercise facility for year-round lameness evaluation~

Internal Medicine 

Our facility is equipped to deal with the wide range of medical problems that a horse may encounter. Our on staff veterinarians include a board certified internal medicine specialists to ensure our patients receive appropriate and quality care. Our full service laboratory is equipped with on-site hematology and chemistry to ensure accurate and timely diagnosis.          

 

We offer neonatal care for the sick or weak newborn foal. We provide diagnostic and medical care for pulmonary, neurologic, abdominal, dental, and ophthalmologic cases. As a referral hospital, we see diseases and ailments outside of the normal spectrum of an everyday practice. This has provided our staff with significant experience in treating unusual and more complicated ailments.

Dental

Regular preventative dental care is one of the main reasons we now see our equine friends living into their thirties and actively being ridden into their twenties. Not only can good dental care prolong the life of a horse, but in many cases it is paramount to maintaining sound health for maximum performance levels. We are committed to offering excellent dental care from the routine "float " to performance horse dentistry. We use current tools and techniques to ensure safe, comfortable treatment for the horse.

Lameness

Lameness evaluations and pre-purchase examinations are a large part of our daily practice. Our staff includes a board certified Surgeon with extensive training in equine lameness evaluation and diagnostic imaging, he has performed hundreds of specialized surgeries, and has been published in scientific journals for the performance horse. Lameness is an art as well as a science and we have a passion to remain current on new research ideas. We use a variety of techniques to identify the source(s) of lameness including physical examination and palpation, flexion tests, and joint and nerve blocks. Digital radiography, ultrasound, and laboratory tests help us to further evaluate the source of your horse's lameness. We offer the time, expertise, and resources to help clients and their horses get back to work as soon as possible. Utilizing the latest in diagnostic imaging and new treatment modalities such as shockwave, stem cell and IRAP therapies, we are here to find the horse's problem and offer the best treatment plan and therapeutic options. Our objective is to understand client goals and to rehabilitate their horse in the safest and most cost effective way possible.

Opthalmology

Equine ophthalmology has grown into a specialized field. Timely and accurate diagnosis from veterinarians with special training in equine ophthalmology ensures the best prognosis. We offer advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques to create optimal results for the horse. One such procedure is Tonometry which measures the intraocular pressure of the eyeball and is useful in detecting glaucoma and uveitis.

Surgery

Our surgical team is well equipped to provide quality surgical procedures. Two of our surgeons are board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Current surgical techniques allow for less invasive procedures, shorter recovery times, and less discomfort for the horse. We offer orthopedic arthroscopy, and use laparoscopy and laser technology to be less invasive in soft tissue surgery. From colic to bone chips, OCD to fracture repair, lacerations to castrations, we have the facility, knowledge, and equipment to make the experience successful and as pleasant as possible for the client and the patient.
Lab  
Our lab allows us to perform routine diagnostics on site to expediate the diagnosis and treatment of our patients. Services include convenient on site Coggins (EIA) testing, which our staff is federally licensed and approved to perform.

Imaging Digital Radiology   

Our Imaging capabilities have expanded to include direct radiography (DR), as well as computed radiography (CR). Each offers the practitioner an opportunity to support clinical findings with the finest quality images ensuring a proper diagnosis. Both DR and CR technology have proven to be invaluable in understanding and diagnosing the intricacies of equine lameness. 

Ultrasound and Endoscope

Ultrasound is a technique for evaluation of soft tissue areas. It is an effective diagnostic tool for tendons, ligaments, internal organs, the reproductive tract and growing fetus. Our video endoscopy equipment allows our doctors the ability to evaluate the upper airway and respiratory tract, as well as the bladder and uterus. The three-meter scope allows us to perform an evaluation of the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine.

Intensive Care Unit  

The Equine Center is capable of 24-hour care when such need arises, with heated intensive care (ICU), full staffed surgery,  and necessary isolation stalls. When neccessary we offer 24-hour intensive care and camera monitoring by certified veterinary technicians for neonatal, neurologic, colic, pulmonary, and ophthalmologic issues. We are truly commited to our vision of providing a regional specialized veterinary facility to meet the needs of our referring veterinarians,clients and community.
Wellness care-" An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" That saying holds true for horses also. As part of our routine care we provide vaccinations, deworming, Coggins testing, Health Inspections and dental care. Recommended vaccinations include: West Nile Virus, Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Rhinopheumonitis, Influenza, Rabies and Strangles. At the time of service we can discuss any issues you may have with your horse including nutritional needs, training programs, geriatric care, etc..

Sickness care-we offer a complete array of laboratory analysis to help determine your animal's illness. We also are equipped to provide intravenous fluid therapy to dehydrated animals. We are proficient with colic cases and capable of treating either medically or surgically. We have treated many diseases including gastric ulcers, liver and kidney diseases, Pigeon Fever, and Cushing's disease. We are well versed with Equine Motor Neuron Disease and myopathies including Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy. We work closely with area veterinarians on a referral and consultation basis.
 
Time of need care-We offer care for your horse in case of medical and surgical colic, sickness, lameness, injury, metabolic problems, or chronic illness. We are equipped to provide intravenous fluids and most laboratory results are obtained within 24 hours. Emergency care is provided on a 24 hour basis.


Pre-purchase examinations- An extensive physical examination, lameness evaluation, and neurologic examination is offered by us prior to purchasing a horse. The information gathered is used by the prospective buyer and/or agent to determine whether the horse will be servicable for it's intended use. The exam may include laboratory testing, digital radiographs, endoscopy, and ultrasound exams.


Geriatric care- Aged horses can have sub-clinical health care issues that can be identified and treated before they become a problem. If your horse is over 15 years of age we recommend a complete physical examination and blood testing to establish baseline values.


Reproductive Procedures-breeding soundness exams supported by ultrasonography, and rectal examination. We offer artificial insemination using shipped cooled semen as well as embryo transfer. We offer uterine flushing as a routine procedure, uterine biopsy, culture and cytology evaluation.


Farrier Services-services can be arranged in conjunction with an appointment. Please call the clinic for more information.