Isolation facilities

We have a dedicated isolation intensive care unit which was completed in 2020. This facility is specifically designed for the treatment and stabling of horses with suspected or confirmed infections that can spread to other horses and sometimes to people.

Within the unit, we have 3 purpose-built stables, each with their own anteroom with individual equipment, storage, food, water and waste facilities as well as disinfection stations between each area. In addition to this, we have an examination room with facilities for clinical examination and diagnostic investigations.

This unit has its own entrance and parking, to allow horses to be self-contained within the hospital, preventing the spread of infectious diseases to other in-patients.

This state-of-the-art facility allows us to treat horses with suspected or known infectious diseases safely. We can perform rapid disease testing on-site for a range of infections of the respiratory tract and intestinal tract, including ‘strangles’ and salmonella. 

Gastrointestinal infections (colitis)

Horses with colitis typically develop diarrhoea which can be potentially infectious to horses and people. Affected horses often require intensive care as they can become extremely ill very quickly. Severely infected horses can die, even with intensive treatment. 

Colitis is one of the most common emergency conditions seen by the Internal medicine team at the hospital. We can offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment options for these patients. The investigation includes clinical examination, abdominal ultrasound, and blood and faecal testing.  

Each isolation stable is equipped with facilities to administer intravenous fluids and other medications continuously. Stables also have 24-hour CCTV fitted to allow in-patients to be closely monitored between checks by staff.  Horses will be offered a range of carefully selected feed and water to aid recovery during their stay.   

Respiratory infections

We can isolate and treat horses with infectious respiratory infections including the bacterial infection Streptococcus equi equi (‘Strangles’) together with other viral respiratory diseases.  

Strangles can be challenging to treat at the horse’s home when isolation facilities and equipment can be limiting. In our isolation facility, we can perform diagnostic testing, and medical and surgical treatment if required to treat horses that have persistent infections.