Normal clinic opening hours are:
Normal clinic opening hours are:
December 6, 2017
- Monday 8.00am – 5.00pm
- Tuesday 8.00am – 5.00pm
- Wednesday 8.00am – 5.00pm
- Thursday 8.00am – 7.00pm
- Friday 8.00am – 5.00pm
- Saturday 10.00am – Noon
For emergency care please phone 07 888 8197
Creating the perfect pooch
October 15, 2017
Dog lovers, police and dog trainers are increasingly seeking help from a sperm bank for dogs.
Source: 1 NEWS
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Creating the perfect pooch
Sponsorship
August 10, 2017
Welcome Sarah!
July 25, 2017
We would like to introduce Sarah Harper, our final member to take the small animal vet team up to three full-time equivalents.
Sarah has recently returned to New Zealand after spending time travelling and working in Europe. She and her partner Max have moved to Matamata where they are contract milking. Sarah enjoys medicine and looks forward to working with our clients.
Sarah will job share with Kylie, working two days a week, while Kylie works the other three.
The addition of Sarah completes our refreshed small animal vet team lineup, joining Susan, Alice and Kylie.
Sarah Harper | BVSc
July 6, 2017
Small Animal Veterinarian
Sarah joined MVS in June 2017 as part of our Small Animal Team.
Sarah graduated from Massey University in 2012. She started her career working in a busy mixed animal practice in New Plymouth. After 3 years in Taranaki, Sarah spent time traveling overseas and working as a locum in different vet clinics in the UK.
Sarah works part-time, job sharing with Kylie, to bring the Small Animal Team to three full-time vets. She has a particular interest in internal medicine and enjoys working through cases to find a solution and help a sick pet recover to their normal selves.
Outside of work Sarah enjoys netball and outdoor activities such as hiking.
Sponsorship intro
June 16, 2017
At MVS we pride ourselves on supporting our community. Each year we provide charitable donations and grants to diverse community groups including: Pohlen Palliative Care, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Matamata College Ace Awards and both UMS and Hinuera sports clubs.
If you are part of a not-for-profit organisation, and would like to inquire about how MVS can help, please fill out and submit the following Sponsorship Request Form.
All sponsorship requests that meet our criteria will be submitted to our Board of Directors for consideration and a decision will be communicated via email.
If you are holding an event, please ensure applications are submitted at least six weeks prior to the date.
Naturally, sponsorship funds are limited, and we regret that not all applicants will be successful.
Production Animal Internship
May 10, 2017
Matamata Veterinary Services is seeking applicants for our Production Animal Internship program.
This position is production animal focused with structured exposure within our companion animal department. Our caseload is high and varied, with a focus on dairy herd health. Most of our clients are seasonal calving which is excellent opportunity to learn key skills such as obstetrics and pregnancy testing in a short period of time. You will have the opportunity to work alongside an experienced group of practitioners with a wide range of skills and interests. Formal mentoring is part of this package.
A culture of quality service to the client, dedicated care of the patient, teamwork and fun exist in this practice. CPD is valued, supported and expected.
The program is a rolling 12 month fixed term allowing interns to have exposure to a full cycle of a seasonal calving system. Our team consists of 8 highly experienced production and companion animal veterinarians supported by 3 technicians, 4 veterinary nurses and 3 administration staff.
This position is ideally suited to a new or recent graduate that wishes to rapidly improve their production while maintaining their companion animal skills. Applications should include a cover letter and a CV including the names of two referees.
Please address all enquiries to:
Grant Fraser
Matamata Veterinary Services Ltd
26 Tainui Street
Matamata
Phone: 07 888 8197
Email: grant@matavet.co.nz
www.matamatavets.co.nz
Stem Cell Therapy
October 9, 2015
Barbara Hunter DVM, MS, DACVS-LA
Specialist in Equine Surgery
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells in adult mammals are cells that are still capable of acting like embryonic cells. They are known as pluripotent progenitor cells and they can develop into a multitude of different types of cells. The type of tissue they are surrounded by stimulates the type of cells they become. For example, if a stem cell is placed into a joint, it can be instructed by surrounding cartilage to develop into new cartilage cells. If placed into a tendon, stem cells can be stimulated to develop into new tendon cells or fibroblasts.
Stem cells can be found in many tissues, however the most commonly harvested tissues are bone marrow, adipose tissue or fat, and blood. Bone marrow yields by far the highest concentration of stem cells and stem cells harvested from bone marrow have also been shown to be more effective in developing into cartilage and tendon tissue than stem cells from other sources (Frisbie and Smith 2010). Several studies have compared bone marrow to adipose tissue for both the quantity of stem cells present following expansion and the ability of these cells to develop into bone, cartilage and tendon (Kisiday et al. 2008; Videl et al. 2008; Frisbie et al. 2009). Bone marrow has been proven superior both for quantity of stem cells yielded (bone marrow yields millions of cells vs adipose which yields several hundred thousand) and pluripotency (ability to develop into the type of end product cell desired). As a result, equine researchers consider bone marrow the preferred tissue to harvest stem cells from in adult horses for treatment of musculoskeletal injury.
When bone marrow stem cells were first tried clinically, bone marrow was harvested and injected directly into tendon lesions without any processing. Success was limited with this early technique, most likely due to the limited number of stem cells in unprocessed bone marrow (around 2000 stem cells/ml of bone marrow) (Frisbie and Smith 2010). Using cell expansion techniques, the stem cells within the bone marrow can be multiplied to several million cells. Injection of this increased number of cells, along with the growth factors that naturally accompany them, into injured tissues has resulted in better healing of tissues that have previously been prone to healing slowly with substandard scar tissue.
Where can stem cells be used?
- Meniscal Lesions (Stifle injuries)
- Tendon/Ligament injuries
- Degenerative Osteoarthritis (OA)
- OA secondary to Osteochondrosis (OCD)
Clinical success using bone marrow derived stem cells in horses
Multi-center clinical research studies in the USA have shown significant success in return to function following treatment of both soft tissue and orthopedic injuries with bone marrow derived stem cells. One study showed that 70% of orthopedic (joint and collateral ligament) injuries and 86% of soft tissue injuries (suspensory ligament, superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon) were still in some level of work when follow up information was collected nearly 2 years following injection of bone marrow derived stem cells (Ferris et al. 2009). Another study found that 75% of horses with stifle meniscal injury were in some level of work 2 years following surgical debridement and intra-articular injection with bone marrow derived stem cells (Ferris et al. 2014). Forty-three percent of these horses returned to their previous level of work and 33% returned to a lower level of work. This is a substantial improvement over previous studies that have reported 60-65% of horses returning to some level of work following surgical debridement alone (Walmsley JP. 2003; Cohen et al. 2009). What makes the Ferris et al (2014) study even more outstanding is that several of the meniscal injuries were Grade 3 meniscal tears (meniscal tears are graded as 1, 2, or 3 with 3 being a severe tear of the front half of the meniscus) while most of the tears treated in earlier studies were Grade 1 or 2. In the study by Walmsley JP (2003), only 6% of horses with Grade 3 meniscal tears returned to work following treatment, while 25% of horses with Grade 3 tears in the Ferris et al (2014) study returned to their previous level of work and another 38% returned to a lower level of work. The substantial improvement in success that we see with injecting bone marrow derived stem cells following surgical debridement of menisci has many in the veterinary community excited. Injuries that were previously career ending, potentially even life threatening if severe enough, now seem to be treatable if treated before secondary osteoarthritis can set in.
What is the process for treating your horse with stem cells?
The stem cells we use are autologous bone marrow derived stem cells, meaning they are harvested from the bone marrow of your horse. Most commonly we use a small volume (10-15 mls) of bone marrow aspirated from the sternum. The bone marrow is acquired during a standing procedure that can be done on an outpatient basis.
Following acquisition of the bone marrow, it is processed in the ART New Zealand stem cell lab. This lab uses bone marrow stem cell expansion techniques that have been validated and used clinically by ART USA for several years. Their technique produces stem cells that have been proven clinically to improve healing of musculoskeletal injury (Ferris et al. 2014; Ferris et al. 2009). Cell expansion generally takes 3-4 weeks depending on the age of the horse (cells from older horses expand more slowly).
Following expansion of the stem cells, they are frozen and returned to our clinic for injection. A small number of stem cells can be stored at the lab for re-expansion and use in future treatments.
On arrival back at our clinic, the cells are thawed and injected into your horse’s injured tissue. If this is a tendon, this is done under ultrasound guidance and cells are placed directly into the tendon lesion. In cases where tendon lesions are not accessible (eg: deep digital flexor tendon lesions within the hoof capsule that have been diagnosed with CT, stem cells can be injected via intra-arterial regional limb perfusion. Studies have shown that following infusion of stem cells into the median artery of the forelimb, cells are distributed to the lower limb, including the injured tissue (Sole et al. 2013; Trela et al. 2014). All injections are done under sterile conditions, and horses are treated with broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics at the time of injection.
If you have any questions regarding the use of stem cell treatment in your horse, please call and speak to one of our experts. You may also see http://art4dvm.com for further information on bone marrow derived stem cells.
References:
Frisbie, D.D., and Smith, R.K.W. (2010) Clinical update on the use of mesenchymal stem cells in equine orthopedics. Eq. Vet. J. 42:86-89.
Kisiday, J.D., Kopesky, P.W., Evans, C.H., Grodzinsky, A.J., McIlwraith, C.W. and Frisbie, D.D. (2008) Evaluation of adult equine bone marrow and adipose derived progenitor cell chondrogenesis in hydrogel cultures. J. Orthop. Res. 26:322-331.
Vidal, M.A., Robinson, S.O., Lopez, M.J., Paulsen, D.B., Borkhsenious, O., Johnson, J.R., Moore, R.M. and Gimble, J.M. (2008) Comparison of chondrogenic potential in equine mesenchymal stromal cells derived from adipose tissue and bone marrow. Vet. Surg. 37:713-724.
Frisbie, D.D., Kisiday, J.D., Kawcak, C.E.,Werpy, N.M. and McIlwraith, C.W. (2009) Evaluation of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of osteoarthritis. J. Orthop. Res. DOI 10.1002/jor.20933.
Ferris, D.J., Kisiday, J.D., McIlwraithe, C.W., et al. (2009) Clinical follow up of horses treated with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for musculoskeletal lesions. Proc. Am. Assoc. Eq. Pract. Ann. Conv. 55:59-60.
Ferris, D.J., Frisbie, D.D., Kisiday, J.D., et al. (2014) Clinical outcome after intra-articular administration of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in 33 horses with stifle injury. Vet. Surg. 43:255-265.
Walmsley, J.P. (2003) Meniscal tears in horses: an evaluation of clinical signs and arthroscopic treatment of 80 cases. Eq. Vet. J. 35:402–406.
Cohen, J.M., Richardson, D.W., McKnight, A.L., et al. (2009) Long‐term outcome in 44 horses with stifle lameness after arthroscopic exploration and debridement. Vet. Surg. 38:543–551.
Sole, A., Spriet, M., Padgett, K. A. et al. (2013) Distribution and persistence of technetium-99 hexamethyl propylene amine oxime-labelled bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in experimentally induced tendon lesions after intratendinous injection and regional perfusion of the equine distal limb. Eq. Vet. J. 45:726-731.
Trela, J.M., Spriet, M., Padgett, K. A. et al. (2014) Scintigraphic comparison of intra-arterial injection and distal intravenous regional limb perfusion for administration of mesenchymal stem cells to the equine foot. Eq. Vet. J. 46:479-483.
Equine Laparoscopy
September 13, 2015
Equine Laparoscopy
Barbara Hunter, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA
Specialist in Equine Surgery
Techniques in minimally invasive surgery have grown substantially in equine surgery over the last thirty years with laparoscopy, also known as abdominal ‘keyhole’ surgery, being one of the most recently developed techniques. Since its advent, 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. Techniques have also been developed to substantially improve procedures associated with a high risk for catastrophic complications when done via open approaches. As well, new procedures have been developed 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).
As a general description of the technique, laparoscopy involves insertion of a 10 mm laparoscope into the abdomen of the horse to allow viewing of the majority of the organs in the abdomen. How much of a view depends on the surgical approach taken.
Laparoscopy can be used both under general anesthesia and in the standing horse. Due to the time, cost and risk associated with general anesthesia, standing laparoscopic procedures have become considerably more common. In addition to increasing access to the upper two thirds of the abdomen, the minimally invasive nature of laparoscopy also has significant advantages. As a result of small incision size and minimal tissue trauma, laparoscopy is associated with decreased duration and severity of post-operative pain and decreased incidence of post-operative incisional complications. The exact location of the ‘keyhole’ incision in the abdomen varies with the purpose of the surgery. Below I have outlined the surgical details of some of the most common laparoscopic surgeries we do along with the advantages associated with each application.
Standing Laparoscopic Cryptorchidectomy or ‘Rig’ Surgery
As many people are aware, “rigs” can retain one or both of their testicles in their abdomen. Traditionally horses are placed on their back under general anesthesia and these testicles are removed via an open surgical approach through either the inguinal ring or a hole cut in the abdominal wall near the inguinal ring. Recovery time is 3-4 weeks. Using standing laparoscopy, three small incisions (1-2 cms) are made in the flank of each affected side and the testicles are located with the laparoscope (Figure 1) then removed through one of the flank incisions.
Figure 1: Laparoscopic view of a cryptorchid testicle
The visualization achieved with the laparoscope and use of the Ligasure device to seal spermatic vessels while cutting the spermatic cord within the abdomen (Video) allows for decreased tissue trauma and excellent hemostasis. This results in decreased intra and post-operative hemorrhage, less post-operative swelling and minimal post-operative pain. Due to the minimally invasive nature, laparoscopy allows for a more rapid return to function following surgery. Horses can generally be turned out in a small yard within 48 hours of surgery and most athletic horses can return to full training in 7-10 days.
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Video: Laparoscopic view of cryptorchid testicle and transection of spermatic cord with Ligasure.
Standing Laparoscopic Delivery of PGE2 to Oviducts
This procedure is performed on mares that are infertile as a result of blocked oviducts. The laparoscope is passed into the abdomen through a small (1cm) incision in the flank on the side of the blocked oviduct. A second incision is placed near the first to allow insertion of a laparoscopic needle. Prostaglandin E2 is injected via the laparoscopic needle onto the surface of the oviduct.
This surgery should be performed during the spring/summer when mares are cycling. In cases where oviduct blockage is the primary reason for infertility, this procedure has a very good success rate.
Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Removal of Large Pathological Ovaries
Mares can develop large, abnormal ovaries for a variety of reasons, however the most common reason is growth of a granulosa thecal cell tumour (GCT) within an ovary. This is a benign tumour that can cause ovaries to grow to cantaloupe size or larger (Figure 1). Typically the tumorous ovary does not cause harm. However in some cases, the enlarged ovary can scar to surrounding organs, including intestine. If that occurs, there is some danger of developing colic secondary to abnormal bowel function.
The immediate problem typically associated with a GCT is infertility. Even though it is most common for only one ovary to be affected, the over abundance of hormones produced by the abnormal ovary inhibits the growth of follicles in the normal ovary. This prevents normal cycling which results in infertility. In some cases, affected mares may show stallion like behavior, or they may stay in season constantly, or most commonly, they fail to cycle at all.
Due to the size of affected ovaries, the blood supply is typically quite substantial. Prior to laparoscopy, the most common method of removing large abnormal ovaries was via a ventral midline incision (similar to a colic surgery) or through a large incision in the flank. The ovarian blood supply would be tied off with suture prior to removal of the ovary, but due to the size of the blood supply and limited surgical access, placement of these sutures was difficult. Slippage of sutures can occur in up to 50% of cases with catastrophic hemorrhage resulting in the death of the mare in such cases. Using the laparoscope, the blood supply is considerably easier to visualize and can be sealed closed and cut with minimal risk for hemorrhage using the Ligasure device. The ovary is removed using a hand-assisted technique. Following transection of all of its attachments, the ovary is placed into a sterile bag within the abdomen, cut into small pieces, then removed through a hole in the flank that is just large enough for the surgeon’s arm. Mares can typically return to work 2 months following surgery and return of normal ovarian cyclicity from the remaining ovary usually occurs within 12 months.
Figure 1: Large ovary with Granulosa Thecal Cell Tumour with associated blood supply.
Other Procedures
Laparoscopic exploration of abdomen for chronic colic
Uterine Imbrication as an adjunct treatment for infertility
Closure of internal inguinal rings in stallions to prevent repeat scrotal herniation of intestine
Laparoscopic removal of bladder stones
Laparoscopic assisted nephrosplenic space ablation
Shockwave Therapy (SWT)
September 7, 2015
WHAT IS SHOCKWAVE?
The shockwave machine produces focused pressure pulses (both positive and negative) of micro-second duration which deliver energy to a selected area.
The delivery of the pulses has a direct effect on both soft tissues and bone, which in turn has the following outcomes:
- Pain Relief – high intensity stimulation of the area with SWT often results in a pain relieving effect lasting several days.
- Bone remodelling – The pressure pulses stimulate release of inflammatory mediators and influx of new blood vessels and bone building cells. This results in both quicker and better quality bone remodelling.
- Soft tissue healing – As with bone, the release of inflammatory mediators and influx of new blood vessels speeds up soft tissue healing.
WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
SWT has been used in human medicine for over 20 years. In equine practice, we use it to speed up healing of a number of musculoskeletal abnormalities such as suspensory ligament injuries, splints, osteoarthritis, sesamoiditis, ‘shin soreness’ as well as other soft tissue and bone injuries. In our experience, a course of SWT can also improve the radiographic appearance of bony abnormalities found on screening xrays, even if there is no evidence of clinical swelling or lameness.
WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
Usually each horse will receive a course of three treatments, each 2 weeks apart. The horse will be sedated for each treatment. Each affected area receives 2000 impulses, counted by the machine; this takes around 10-15 minutes.
If the affected area is on the lower limb, we will usually apply a pressure bandage to prevent swelling and confine the horse to a small yard or box for 24 hours.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Due to the proximity of blood vessels to many of the structures that we shockwave, a minority of cases can swell, accumulate a haematoma or develop mild skin irritation after treatment. This can be treated or prevented by applying a pressure wrap and will not affect the horse in the long term.
Although SWT is a relatively new therapy in horses, during the time we have been using it at MVS we have experienced very few of the above problems.
