Scoping for ulcers.

[Sandstone1]

I may have to have a horse scoped for ulcers, Is this something that can be done at home or does it always have to be done at the vets?
For various reasons I would prefer at home if at all possible. Is it a safe procedure? Thanks

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My understanding is that this is a procedure that needs to be done at a veterinary clinic.

I was quoted £250 for my mare. This would have involved taking her to a local veterinary investigation centre and having the procedure done.

 

[milliepops]

Will depend on your practice, some seem to offer this as a mobile service but mine only do it at the hospital.

I think it's a pretty safe procedure, small risk from sedation, small risk of mild colic, small risk of a nosebleed.
Mine has been OK just not that interested in her hay for a day or so afterwards.

 

[J_sarahd]

My boy is being scoped on Friday. He’s having his done at home as our vet is purely ambulatory

 

[Snow Falcon]

Had my mare done at home.

 

[VioletStripe]

I had mine done at home - I was given an option for both at home or going in to the clinic.

Some people prefer going to the clinic as it means they fast them overnight, so less worry for the owner having to deal with the horse fasted. In my experience it wasn't that bad, and my boy wasn't overly unsettled by it. I feel like they would probably be more settled being fasted at home instead of a strange environment, but that's my opinion and I guess it depends on each individual - I also understand why people wouldn't want to do it themselves, as I was a nervous wreck about it until I saw him happily watching the yard from over his stable door at 8am!

It is a safe, simple procedure - it involves mild sedation and it was over in about 20mins. My horse had a very slight nose bleed which can happen due to the endoscope going up their nose and rubbing a capillary. Once the sedation wore off he had his late breakfast and went out in the field and seemed totally unaffected by it - wasn't as ravenous as I thought he would be, and was his usual self in every way. It wasn't a big deal at all, and even the treatment hasn't been overly bad - I have a much happier horse, though the expense does sting!

 

[Tash88]

Mine was done at home, although I think my vet would have done it at the clinic if I didn't have suitable facilities for the scope and the fasting beforehand. I was able to watch the camera on the screen and talk through what the vet was seeing which was good, I probably wouldn't have been allowed in if it was happening at the clinic, particularly during Covid times.

My horse was fine with the fasting, I think because he was in a familiar environment. He went into a different stable which was practically bare, as I didn't want him to eat his straw bed. The fasting isn't nice for the owner to watch of course and they do make more of a fuss when we are around, but it was necessary for the scope which led to the treatment that made him feel a lot better, so short term pain for long term gain.

Best of luck with your horse x

 

[doodle]

My vet will only do at their clinic. I did ask if he would do at home due to the snow but he said there is a fair risk of things going wrong which is easier managed when in the clinic. He also likes to have more hands available even if not actually used.

 

[BBP]

My vets only do it at the hospital, but it looks like it’s possible at home. The horse being done before mine had dramatic looking complications (he was fine in the end I hasten to add!) and I was very glad it was at the hospital, but I think the complications were from the sedation and horses get sedated all the time at home so that’s not just linked to scoping. I do think it’s easier to keep everything sterile at the vet hospital given that it’s quite invasive.

 

[BronsonNutter]

Depends on your vets scope tbh - not all of them are very portable.
It's also a two person job (one to pass the scope and the other to 'drive' the scope) which at the moment with covid is a bit restrictive as the vets and assistants aren't supposed to travel together in the car, so often easier to have the horse in at the clinic. And then you don't have to be the mean one starving them!

 

[Sandstone1]

Thank you, its interesting.

 

[VioletStripe]

I would speak with your vet and discuss options - reading this thread has reminded me that there were limited days I could choose between as it had to be a day the vet nurse could come out too to assist. It wasn't much of a problem as they came with the equipment in a separate car, while the vet surgeon came on their usual rounds route.


I think it depends on the vet, the horse, the yard set-up, and the equipment available. I gathered that generally going into the surgery is preferred as it means you can pick your day as all the equipment is already there and fully staffed, but that it wasn't a big deal to do it at home if that was your preference. For example, I don't have my own transport, so would need to organise someone to take us there and back.

It was easily done in my boy's own stable, the scope came with a wheely 'dolly' which the nurse set everything up outside with. But I am aware we are registered with a vet practice which has rather good facilities and lots of bells and whistles..

 

[Tiddlypom]

It’s easier at the vets, plus they crack on and scope first thing (maybe before 8am) so the horse is not left hungry for too long.

Mine had been in for a lameness workup anyway, so I just left her there overnight. She was very relaxed about it all when I collected her - she scoped clear, it turned out to be hind gut ulcers instead.

I presume she was scoped in the stocks, though I didn’t ask about that.

 

[doodle]

There is no facility to stay over night at my vets. There are 2 “day” stables. They book you in first thing so it was a case of remove haynet at 8pm then arrive 8am get trailer out, then grab horse and go. I was expecting a cross horse but he must have just slept all night and as it was early there was no stressing with other horses being fed in the morning.

 

[Coblover63]

My girl is booked in for next Tuesday. They are coming to the yard.

 

[Sandstone1]

My girl is booked in for next Tuesday. They are coming to the yard.

Thats interesting, please let us know how it goes.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

As others have said, you can do either, but some practices might not have a scope portable enough to bring out. I think a lot of places prefer to have them in overnight so they know the starvation is being done properly (not everyone has facilities/appropriate bedding to do it at home) and because they’ll have stocks to do the actual procedure in etc. Mine was done in the practice, but we starved him at home. He had no issues and I’m sure they could have done him on the yard easily, but could get a date to have it done quicker taking him in.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Mine was scoped at hospital twice (scoped clear on second scope) and the second time I got to hold her. It was a very simple and quick procedure.
My local practice offers the service at home and after watching it, I'd have no concern doing it at home.