Welcome to Samford Valley Veterinary Hospital

Good anaesthesia is a key component to safe and effective surgery.  The horse must be maintained at the correct anaethetic depth to allow them to be pain free during procedures, while keeping the animal’s vital functions at safe levels. Our staff are all well trained in anaesthetic monitoring. 

The use of ultrasound technology is an essential diagnostic tool for the equine veterinarian. Our vets can also use ultrasound to look at tendons, ligaments, chests, abdomens and other soft tissues of the body.  There are very few limitations to the use of ultrasound although it can only visualise the surface of bone and is not suitable for deeper boney structures in which evaluation should be supported with the use of radiographs (X-rays).

Tendon and ligament injuries in the limbs of competitive horses are, unfortunately, very common. It is true that many owners and trainers of performance horses have regarded injuries to these structures as more threatening to an equine athlete’s future career than fractures. Ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool for evaluation of the distal limb in many lameness cases.

Equine Internal Medicine Specialists diagnose and treat complex diseases and chronic disorders in horses. They are highly experienced in neurologic, respiratory, cardiac, ophthalmologic, gastrointestinal, muscular, infectious, hematologic, renal, and endocrine diseases and disorders. Equine Internal Medicine Specialists can also recommend and interpret testing that might not be routinely offered by general practitioners.

At Samford Valley Veterinary Hospital, we have Dr Rachel Tan who is a registered veterinary specialist in Large Animal Internal Medicine. Her special interests are endocrine, respiratory and neurological disease. Dr Tan can provide specialist consultation and collaboration for owners requesting a second opinion or evaluation by a specialist.

Our team has the experience to undertake routine equine field surgery. Some common equine field surgeries include castration, tumour removal and wound repair.

Samford Valley Veterinary Hospital offers state-of-the-art high resolution digital radiographic (x-ray) technology for our clients. With digital x-rays, we can provide faster and more accurate diagnostics, leading to enhanced treatment outcomes.

This non-invasive imaging technique helps us identify and evaluate injuries, lameness, fractures, and other conditions with precision.

Your horse’s teeth can often be overlooked when it comes to horse care. Sharp teeth can be a source of pain and in turn lead to a difficulty in eating and loss of weight. Sharp teeth can also lead to a reluctance to accept the bit and cause a horse to misbehave whilst being ridden.A general rule is to have them checked annually unless you have been advised otherwise, with some horses requiring 3 to 6 monthly assessments.

Equine dentistry is a rapidly expanding area of horse care.  There are many different people offering this care. In Queensland equine dentistry is not restricted to vets only. However, the use of sedatives and pain relief is restricted by law to veterinary surgeons only. Further to this, insured horses are not normally covered for any accidental damage sustained whilst having teeth done by dentists who are not veterinary surgeons.

At Samford Valley Veterinary Hospital we are able to provide a full range of dental services for horses, including extractions, with access to specialists for even the most advanced procedures. Our equipment includes a “Powerfloat” which is the latest in motorised dental tools. Such equipment is designed to improve the efficiency of equine dentistry and correct problems without prolonging the time your horse needs to stand with its mouth open.

Equine reproductive services require specialized equipment and trained staff to provide the best possible care for your horse. The services we offer include infertility diagnosis, subfertility investigation, promotion of fertility, pregnancy management, management of birth, and artificial breeding. Ultrasound tracking of reproductive cycles is a core component of management with natural covering, artificial inseminiation (AI) using chilled or frozen semen (semen storage available) available.