Horse owners in South-East Queensland will have access to international talent and a range of specialist services at a new Equine Hospital to open at the UQ Gatton Campus next month.
The Equine Hospital is part of the new Veterinary Medical Centre which will also include a Small Animal Clinic and is part of the $100 million plus relocation of the UQ School of Veterinary Science.
The Director of the UQ Veterinary Medical Centre, Professor Grant Frazer, said that veterinarians had been recruited from all over the world for the new facility.
Registered medicine and surgery specialists will lead a team of six equine veterinarians who will offer advanced diagnostic capabilities, treatments and surgical procedures in state-of-the-art facilities.
Services offered include surgery (orthopaedics and soft-tissue), internal medicine (general, performance horse, neonatal) and critical care.
The equine clinicians will be supported by an experienced team of anaesthetists and radiologists.
Consultants will be available in dentistry, podiatry, cardiology, ophthalmology, dermatology and reproduction.
The equine facility will expose students to both a general practice and referral caseload.
Key features of the equine program will be:
• Surgery – featuring orthopaedics, laparoscopy, and laser upper airway surgery
• Medicine - full diagnostic service, including treadmill exercise testing.
• State-of-the-art intensive care unit offering advanced care for critically ill
foals as well as adults.
• Diagnostic imaging (digital radiology, nuclear scintigraphy, Computed Tomography – CT, and plans for Magnetic Resonance Imaging – MRI).
• 24/7 emergency service.
“Our mission is to provide excellent service to our clients, their animals and referring veterinarians,” Professor Frazer said.
“The Equine Hospital will cater to all horse medical and surgical needs.
"This is an exciting time for the equine industry and we are looking forward to seeing the benefits the hospital offers for the region,” Professor Frazer said.
Two of the new staff working in equine surgery and diagnostics are Dr Steven Zedler and Dr Lewis Smith.
Dr Zedler has worked in the United States and South Africa and his focus is on soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, lameness, scintigraphy, and treadmill examinations.
Dr Smith completed his internship in the United States and his residency in equine orthopaedics and surgery in the United Kingdom.
He has a keen interest in fracture repair and gastrointestinal surgery, lameness and contrast Computed Tomography (CT).
The Veterinary Medical Centre will open to the public from August 10.
Opening hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, telephone (07) 5460 1799.
Media: Erin Pearl, 07 54 601 229.
