﻿ Equine Internal Medicine
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Equine Internal Medicine

Equine Internal Medicine

Equine internal medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases affecting adult horses. Neonatal or foal issues fall under the same heading at Mid-Rivers Equine Centre. Almost all horses develop illnesses and health issues. Most of these are transient and the horses’ own immune system is able to conquer and correct the problem. However, there are those times when our horses will need the assistance of doctor specializing in equine internal medicine.

Dr. Dawn Mrad heads-ups Mid-Rivers Equine Centre's internal medicine. Certainly all doctors are trained in dealing with disease and treatment, but Dr. Mrad completed a three-year residency at the University of Missouri with specialization in the area of equine internal medicine.

As with all disease, early treatment is critical and an accurate diagnosis is crucial to treatment success and outcome. Mid-Rivers Equine Centre is open 24 hours a day for equine emergencies. Please call 636.332.5373 and press 7 if it is an after hours emergency for assistance.

Today more is known about diseases that affect horses than ever before. The health of horses is linked to their genetics, environment and nutrition. Health programs that include parasite control and prophylactic vaccination schedules dramatically reduce health problems, but still problems arise.

Neurologic problems such as Equine Protozoal Myelitis or EPM are common today where 15 years ago neurologic problems were relatively uncommon. New diseases such as West Nile Encephalitis develop, and old problems such as Strangles that has become widespread in our area all create a need for advanced equine medical care.

Diagnostics such as endoscopy, ultrasound and advanced laboratory techniques give clues as to the nature of the problem and once identified; a specific treatment plan can be implemented.
