• Abdominal surgery including colic surgery, hernia repair, umbilical remnant resection
• Laparoscopic surgery for cryptorchid castration, ovairectomy, exploratory and other procedures
• Urogenital surgery including routine and cryptorchid castration, ovairectomy, Cesarean section, repair of foaling injuries, treatment of penile injury or neoplasia
• Sinus surgery for cysts, neoplasia, dental disease
• Wound management and reconstructive surgery
• Therapy for skin tumors including equine sarcoid, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma
• Lameness evaluation

Your scheduled visit to the General Surgery Service at the Cornell University Equine Hospital begins when you pull up to the circular driveway. Please park your vehicle in the driveway, come into the reception area and check in at the front desk. After a small amount of paperwork, a technician or student will help you unload and walk your animal to its assigned stall. 

Often times, you may leave your vehicle and trailer right in the driveway but, if the lot is full, the receptionist will provide you with directions to nearby longer-term parking where overnight parking for trucks and trailers is also available.

After your vehicle is parked, a technician and student will work together to conduct an examination of your animal and will take a medical history. We appreciate your patience and understanding in allowing our veterinarians-in-training to interact with you and your horse.

Next, the student will leave to report their findings to a resident or faculty member, who will return with the student to perform a second, comprehensive examination. The resident or faculty member will discuss all of the findings with you. 

Working together with you, a plan for further diagnosis and treatment of your animal will be developed. Patients that require surgery or advanced tests will often be admitted to the hospital at the conclusion of their initial appointment. Patients admitted for surgical procedures often need to remain hospitalized for several days or longer. Patients with conditions that do not require hospitalization will be discharged with detailed written instructions and a summary of the exam findings. A copy will be faxed to your veterinarian.

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons
A specialty organization that certifies veterinary surgeons and provides a source of referrals to animal owners.

• Embryo transfer
• Transvaginal oocyte recovery
• Semen collection from stallions for evaluation, shipment or cryopreservation
• Surgery related to the reproductive tract, torn cervix, laceration after foaling, uro vagina.
• Management of twinning

We provide full service medical and surgical treatment for all conditions of the reproductive tract of males and females, including:

• Breeding soundness examination and investigation of infertility of male and female animal
• Breeding management of mares, using fresh or frozen semen
• Semen collection from stallions for evaluation, shipment or cryopreservation (freezing)
• Supervised foaling of mares
• Advanced reproductive technologies such as embryo transfer
• Obstetrical complications
• Reproductive tract surgery

Your scheduled visit to the Theriogenology Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals begins when you pull up to the circular driveway in front of the Large Animal Hospital. Please park your vehicle in the driveway, come into the reception area and check in at the front desk. After a small amount of paperwork, a technician or student will help you unload and walk your horse to its assigned stall. 

Often times, you may leave your vehicle and trailer right in the driveway. If the lot is full, the receptionist will provide you with a parking pass and directions to nearby longer-term parking, where overnight parking for trucks and trailers is also available.

After your vehicle is parked, a technician and student will work together to conduct an examination of your horse and ask you questions about the animal's past medical, surgical, travel, vaccination and worming history and current health. The student will leave to report their findings to a resident or faculty member.

The resident or faculty member will return with the student to perform a second comprehensive examination that will include a discussion of their findings. This evaluation will take about an hour. We appreciate your patience and understanding in allowing our veterinarians-in-training to interact with you and your animal.

Working together, we will discuss the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for your horse. Patients that require surgery or advanced tests will often be admitted to the hospital at the conclusion of their initial appointment. Patients that do not require hospitalization will be discharged with detailed written instructions and a summary of the exam findings. A copy will be faxed to your veterinarian.

American College of Theriogenologists
A non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and competence in theriogenology, or animal reproduction.
 

• Stem cell treatments
• Platelet-rich plasma treatments

Fortier Laboratory
Dr. Lisa Fortier's laboratory investigates the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of arthritis with the goal of identifying finding new ways to treat and prevention arthritis.

• Advanced cartilage repair techniques including cartilage reattachment and grafting procedures.
• Regenerative medicine for tendon and suspensory ligament tears. We offer both stem cell and platelet rich plasma based therapies.
• High resolution MRI and CT imaging of feet and joints.
• The latest technology for arthroscopy and fracture repair.

Your scheduled visit to the Orthopedic Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals begins when you pull up to the circular driveway in front of the equine hospital. Please park your vehicle, come into the reception area, and check in at the front desk.

We offer free long-term parking where overnight parking for trucks and trailers if needed.

Once your horse is situated in a stall, a senior veterinary student will ask about your horses past medical, surgical, travel and vaccination history and perform a basic physical examination. Then, the surgery resident and faculty member will join the student to conduct a full orthopedic examination. Students observe and participate in this examination, which is invaluable to their education and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding in allowing these future veterinarians to interact with you and your horse.

After the physical examination, our veterinarians will discuss their findings and treatment options, including cost. Together, you will develop plan for further diagnosis and treatment of your horse. 

When the diagnostic tests are completed, you will meet with the veterinarian and the student working with your horse to discuss their findings and therapeutic recommendations. 

Horses that require a surgical procedure are typically admitted, and their surgery will occur the following day. Horses that do not require surgery will be discharged with a plan for rehabilitation and pain control, if necessary. You and your regular veterinarian will receive a copy of discharge instructions, which outlines our findings and recommendations. We will strive to make sure that we have answered any and all questions that you may have prior to your departure.

American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Fortier Laboratory
Dr. Lisa Fortier's laboratory investigates the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of arthritis and tendonitis with the goal of identifying finding new ways to treat and prevention arthritis.

Diagnostic Services

• Slit lamp biomicroscopy
• Direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy
• Tonometry
• Electroretinography
• Ocular ultrasonography (standard ocular and high resolution anterior segment scans)
• In vivo corneal confocal microscopy
• CT and MRI scans
• Culture, biopsy, routine lab testing plus many advanced diagnostic modalities

Surgical Services

• Orbital and adnexal surgery
• Squamous cell carcinoma treatments, including strontium 90 radiation treatment
• Corneal therapeutic and reconstructive procedures, keratotomies, grafts, and transpositions
• Cataract removal by phacoemulsification 
• Glaucoma management
• Diode laser treatment for iris/uveal/corpa nigra cyst ablation

Your scheduled visit to the Ophthalmology Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals begins when you pull up to the circular driveway in front of the large animal hospital. Please park your vehicle in the driveway, come into the reception area and check in at the front desk. A technician or student will help you unload and walk your horse to its assigned stall. 

Often times, you may leave your vehicle and trailer right in the driveway but, if the lot is full, the receptionist will provide you with a parking pass and directions to nearby longer-term parking where overnight parking for trucks and trailers is also available.

After your vehicle is parked, a technician and student will work together to conduct an examination of your horse and ask you questions about the horse's past medical, surgical, travel, vaccination and worming history and current health. In the course of this examination, several tests are usually performed, including measurements of tear function and eye pressure and staining the eye with one or more ocular surface stains. Sometimes, animals who do not cooperate during the exam need to be sedated. If this is the case, a resident or ophthalmologist will prescribe sedation.

Next, the student will administer eye drops to dilate the pupil; just as in your own eyes these drops take 30 minutes or more to take effect. During that time, the student will leave to report their findings to a resident or faculty member, to analyze the results of the routine tests and to refine plans to further diagnose and treat your horse's eye condition. 

The student will return to complete the dilated portion of the examination. The ophthalmologist will have joined you by this time and will perform a second, comprehensive examination that will include a discussion with the students and residents during or after the exam; the clinician will also discuss all of the findings with you. Additional students and residents may be present and observing during this portion of the examination. This evaluation will take 1-2 hours. We appreciate your patience and understanding in allowing our veterinarians-in-training (perhaps your future veterinarian!) to interact with you and your pet.

Working together with you, a plan for further diagnosis and treatment of your horse will be developed. Patients that require surgery or advanced tests will often be admitted to the hospital at the conclusion of their initial appointment (patients admitted for surgical procedures often need to remain hospitalized for several days or longer). Patients with conditions that do not require hospitalization will be discharged with detailed written instructions and a summary of the exam findings. A copy will be faxed to your veterinarian.

OPHTHALMIC EMERGENCIES:
All daytime and after-hour ophthalmic emergencies are admitted and managed directly by the faculty and resident clinicians of the Ophthalmology Service. 

American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
A non-profit organization that certifies veterinarians in ophthalmology and provides information about veterinary eye disorders.

• Neurological and Muscular Disorders: complete neurological examination, cerebrospinal fluid collection and analysis, neck intra-articular facet injections, muscle biopsy 
• Respiratory Disorders: bronchoalveolar lavage, transtracheal wash, oxygen therapy, pleural fluid aspiration and analysis, lung biopsy
• Gastrointestinal: gastroscopy, gastroscopic duodenal biopsies, rectal biopsy, ultrasound, intestinal absorption study 
• Metabolic syndrome screening and consultation
• Urogenital: urinary catheterization, cystoscopy (scope the urinary bladder)
• Emergency and critical care
• High-risk pregnancy monitoring
• Equine neonatal intensive care 
• Blood transfusion therapy
• Designated neonatal unit with 24hr. experienced staffing and critical care monitoring available in order to provide a high level of neonatal care

American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
A non-profit board created to enhance animal and human health by advancing veterinary internal medicine through training, education, and discovery.

American Association of Equine Practitioners
An organization created to improve the health and welfare of the horse, to further the professional development equine health professionals, and to provide resources and leadership for the benefit of the equine industry. 

Your animal may need to be sedated or anesthetized to prevent movement during imaging. We do this when we anticipate that the procedure might be uncomfortable or painful, if the animal is anxious and whenever we expect that not holding perfectly still would defeat the procedure – motion is the bane of imaging! We work with your primary Cornell veterinarian to decide which sedative or anesthetic is most appropriate. Radiographs and ultrasound are often done awake, sometimes with a sedative, and occasionally when necessary we manually restrain the animal. We minimize manually holding animals for radiographs to limit our own exposure to x-radiation. Equine patients are always under general anesthesia for CT and MRI. Anesthesiologists are available to consult on all cases and ensure the safety of your animal.

We interpret images and provide an oral report on the same day the study is obtained followed by a written report. For hospitalized animals, emergency imaging and interpretation is available 24/7/365 by residents and faculty on back-up.

Radiography

Agfa DX-G CR, Sound-Eklin Mark 1114cw DR
Commonly referred to as x-rays, radiographs are used widely in the horse for examination of distal limbs in the field. Our powerful in-hospital x-ray unit is capable of radiographing neck, chest and proximal limbs in the standing horse. Thicker body parts such as pelvis and spine can be radiographed in the anesthetized patient. 

Ultrasound

Phillips EPIQ5 and Philips IU-22
Sonography is commonly to evaluate the soft tissues structures of the equine limb as well as the thorax and abdomen.  

Computed Tomography (CT)

Toshiba Aquilion Large-Bore, 16-slice
CT scanning uses x-ray and sophisticated computer processing to render cross-sectional images of the body. General anesthesia is necessary for all equine examinations and is most commonly used to evaluate the head, teeth and distal limbs.  

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Toshiba Vantage Atlas 1.5 Tesla
MRI examines body structures using the property of nuclear magnetic resonance to stimulate with radiofrequency energy the nuclei of hydrogen atoms aligned in a strong magnetic field and detect those signals for imaging. MRI provides excellent contrast between soft tissues that are otherwise indistinguishable by other means, which makes it especially useful in imaging the musculoskeletal (muscles, tendons, ligaments) systems, particularly the structures within the hoof capsule.

Nuclear Medicine

MIE Equine Scanner HR/Scintron VI-VME
In nuclear medicine imaging, radiopharmaceuticals are injected into the animal and a gamma camera detects the distribution of the isotope in the body. These examinations are used mainly for the diagnosis of bone lesions in the horse including osteoarthritis, stress fractures and occult causes of lameness. The radiation dose from the isotope is minimal and use is fully regulated by Environmental Health and Safety at Cornell and the New York State Health Department.

Digital Fluoroscopy

Hologic Insight FD Mini C-arm
The “C-arm” systems permit fluoroscopy in the operating room during surgery for real-time guidance in orthopedic repairs.

American College of Veterinary Radiology

The ACVR sets standards for veterinary imaging professionals, certifies training programs and examines residents during and at the completion of a three-year, post-graduate program. Passing a written and oral examination leads to “board-certification” and is the credential required to practice as a veterinary radiologist. CUHA radiologists are board-certified and dedicated to service, education and research in veterinary imaging. We regularly have three or four residents training in the hospital.

Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Residency Program

The American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) accredits Cornell’s residency program in Veterinary Imaging. This 3-year program generally enrolls one new candidate each July and provides specialty training in radiology, fluoroscopy, ultrasonography, nuclear medicine, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in small and large animals, and radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. 

Inpatient

If you animal is a patient at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, your primary veterinarian may request a consultation with Farrier Services. Our experienced farrier will learn about your horse's medical history and then perform an examination.

From there, he will work with veterinarian specialists to develop a plan for treating your horse that may include specialty shoes or splints.

Outpatient

If your animal is not a Cornell patient, you can call use directly to make a shoeing appointment. Our interaction will begin with a brief history over the phone when you call to make an appointment. Patients who require radiographs need to schedule an appointment through the Cornell University Animal Hospital.  Horses that don't require radiographs or other veterinary services can come directly to Farrier Services.

A typical outpatient appointment lasts about an hour and a half. Our head farrier will examine your horse and discuss options for shoeing, and then shoe the horse on-site.  Farrier students may observe and participate in the examination of your horse. We appreciate your patience and understanding in allowing these future farriers to interact with you and your horse.\

Acute or chronic laminitis

Laminitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the digital laminae of hoof. Symptoms include lameness, increased temperature in the hooves, limping and trembling. Diagnosis is often made through imaging studies. Shoeing treatments include supporting the bottom structure of the foot with a frog support system

High low syndrome

High low syndrome is an imbalance that leads to underperformance problems and lameness in dressage and jumping horses. It is characterized by uneven gait and poor performance when traveling to the upright hoof side.  We provide shoes that help rebalance the horse and encourage development of a more balanced horse.

Limb correction

For horses born with deviated limbs, we provide shoes help balance and correct the limb. The optimum time for limb correction is under 4 months of age. Foals with limb deviations are evaluated by the hospital’s orthopedic veterinarians so that a shoeing or surgery plan can be developed. 

Hoof injuries 

Puncture wounds and lacerations to the hoof can be treated in a variety of methods to ensure proper injury recovery. If a nail is ever puncturing the bottom of the horse’s hoof, leave it in place if possible so that an accurate radiograph can be taken to assess damage.

We have worked on many difficult cases here. The case of Trendy, a bomb proof Quarter Horse mare stands out. Trendy has been suffering from lameness for 2 years. She came to Cornell for an evaluation. With the help of an MRI imaging study, we found the exact cause, which helped guide the shoeing solution. After proper shoeing, she began using an even and comfortable gait and was able to return home, where she was used for young children to ride.

We also see many chronic laminitis horses that we are able return to regular work. Imbalanced horses with high-low syndrome frequently come to us for consultations. These horses continue to use our services because the riders like our results.

We specialize in the many types of glue on shoes for therapy or performance. We are able to provide hoof protection and support without nailing into previously damaged hooves.

American Farrier's Association
An organization dedicated to promoting equine welfare and providing continuing education for working farriers and the equine community.

In memory of Doug Pokorney, an endowed fund to benefit participants in the General Farrier Program has been established, providing full tuition for one student available during the fall program session only. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Doug shod horses for over 40 years specializing in Morgan and Arabian Show horses.

Doug’s wife Denise is making it possible for more people to be Cornell-trained farriers through the generosity of the Douglas J. Pokorney Scholarship Fund. Doug proudly served in the US Navy as a Boilerman on the Charles H. Roan from November 30, 1961 until the time of his Honorable Discharge on March 29, 1966. During those years life-long friendships were formed with his shipmates. In 2004 Doug was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Doug was often accompanied by his faithful dogs over the years as he traveled countless miles around Western New York shoeing horses. Throughout the 40 years that Doug Shod horses he developed many lasting friendships due to his horsemanship, integrity and old-fashioned values. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman and was a member of the American Farrier’s Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Turkey Federation. Doug passed away in 2009. He will be forever remembered through this scholarship and this memorial which displays his life through pictures.