Preventive Care

• Dental Care
  Dr. Patton relocated to Burton Ohio and joined the Equine Specialty Hospital in September of 2022. She is one of the three surgeons at the hospital. Dr. Patton became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in March of 2023. Her interests include gastrointestinal disease, sinus and dental problems and soft tissue surgery.
• Veterinary Ophthalmology
  The Equine Specialty Hospital offers diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of many ocular problems, ulcers, uvitis, and tumors. Extended hospitalization for intensive care of critical cases is available. Services are provided by specialists in surgery with advanced training in ophthalmology.
• Nutritional Counseling
  Gastroscopy is the evaluation of a horse's stomach and is an important component in diagnosing causes of colic, weight loss, inappetance, and poor performance. Gastric ulcers are most commonly located along the margo plicatus and the cardia. The margo plicatus is the separation between the top and bottom portions of the stomach, and the cardia is the area of the stomach where food enters.

Illness Treatment

• Parasites Treatment and Control
  The final test performed in-house is a fecal floatation. This test shows the type of parasites (worms) in the manure, and how many. Results allow selection of the best deworming medication and the best frequency of deworming.
• Pain Management
  We love to see videos from our patients after they leave our care! Here is Vivian, a little spitfire Quarter Horse filly, who presented to us when she was under a week old for a rare congenital radial nerve paralysis, where the nerve responsible for moving her right front leg forward was damaged. With appropriate splinting and pain management by Dr Patton, corrective shoeing by our farrier Ed Cigany, diligent physical therapy and care by our wonderful technicians, at home follow up and acupuncture by Dr Szymkowicz and Dr. Miletta, and dedicated owners Rick & Everett, Vivian is now galloping onto an amazing future! What a great team and outcome!
• Skin Condition and Allergy Treatment
  The Nd:YAG laser can also be used alone to treat many different skin conditions. Sarcoids, squamous cell carcinomas, warts, and aural plaques can successfully be treated using laser therapy.
• Upper Respiratory Illness Treatment
  Respiratory disease in horses can involve the upper respiratory tract such as the nasal passages, sinuses, and throat, or the lower respiratory tract including the trachea and lungs.

Chronic Condition Treatment

• Arthritis Treatment
  Although Dr. McClellan enjoys all aspects of surgery, he has a special interest in orthopedic surgery, respiratory surgery, and minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures. His areas of interest include but are not limited to arthroscopy, fracture repair, and regenerative medicine (stem cells, PRP, IRAP) for soft tissue injuries and osteoarthritis. Dr. McClellan also has a strong interest in sports medicine, lameness, ultrasonography and advanced diagnostic imaging.
• Heart Disease Treatment
  Anesthesia is administered by registered veterinary technicians, and horses are monitored intra-operatively (as are all general anesthesia patients at the hospital) with an electrocardiogram (ECG) and direct arterial blood pressure assessment, and breathing is assisted and supported with a ventilator.

Emergency Care

• Wound and Fracture Care
  Dental procedures performed at the hospital include mandible or maxilla (jaw) fracture repair and dental extractions. Depending on the tooth to be removed, the presence of any concurrent sinus disease, and the temperament of the horse, the procedure may be performed under general anesthesia or standing with sedation and local anesthesia.

Surgery

• Veterinary Surgery
  We perform a number of equine surgical services at our facility in Burton, Ohio. All surgery is performed by board certified surgeons. They are aided by our team of registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants to provide your horse with the best care available.
• Laser Surgery
  Uterine Videoendoscopy is performed in mares having difficulty conceiving a foal due to the presence of cysts, scar tissue, or tumors. Once the problem has been visualized on the videoendoscope, endoscopic-assisted laser surgery can be performed.
• Spaying and Neutering
  The field of equine laparoscopy has grown rapidly and is now used as a routine approach for procedures such as removal of cryptorchid testicles in colts and removal of abnormal ovaries in mares with conditions such as ovarian tumors. Both procedures tend to yield excellent post-operative results with minimal post-operative pain and a rapid return to athletic function. Laparoscopic techniques substantially improve procedures associated with a high risk for catastrophic complications when done via open approaches. Laparoscopy can also be used to resolve problems that were previously not treatable due to lack of surgical access (eg: closure of small colon mesenteric rents and closure of the internal inguinal ring without castration in breeding stallions).

Lab and X-Rays

• Laboratory Services
  With our on-site laboratory and advanced equipment such as the latest in digital imaging, endoscopy, gastroscopy, and other procedures, we are able to performa a number of diagnostic serices on our equine patients.
• X-Ray
  Our caseload focuses mainly on sports medicine and the equine athlete. However, a large number of colic's, wounds, neurologic conditions, etc are admitted on routine basis. Some cases, such as critically ill foals, occur mainly during late spring and early summer. The Equine Specialty Hospital also provides CT, MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, and digital radiography and ultrasound capabilities. The student is encouraged to become involved in these cases as they arrive at the clinic.

Specialty

• Equine Vet
  Equine Veterinarian, Dr. Melissa Milligan grew up in northeast Iowa. After earning her degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University, she entered veterinary school at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with honors in 2002. She then completed a private practice internship at Equine Medical Associates in Edmond, Oklahoma and continued gaining valuable private practice experience as an associate following completion of her internship.